Edward is also commemorated on a family grave in the churchyard at St James’ Edward was the son of Edward and Ada Porritt Christleton Grange Village Road. Edward was an important merchant of Liverpool. The inscription on his grave in the churchyard reads “He gave his life for England at Guillimont on July 30th 1916 age 22yrs”. The battle for the Somme began on the 1st July 1916, and towards the end of the month British troops attacked High Wood, but it was not captured until 15th September
From The Cheshire Observer August 12th 1916.
Memorial Service for Edward Porritt and Tom Weaver
Serving with the Liverpool Pals and received a commission early in the war. Had been out on the Front since 15th November 1915, and died on July 30th 1916. He had served his apprenticeship with Messrs Joynston Bentley & Co. Cotton Brokers Liverpool * Prior to the war he was engaged with his father in business as a cotton broker in Liverpool. The Flag of the Liverpool Cotton Association was flying at half - mast.
Edward was educated at Clifton College, a lad of great qualities, quiet, retiring undemonstrated stature, never meant to be a soldier- but answered the call to arms, joining “Liverpool Pals as a private. He afterwards became an officer in a regiment which earned great distinction.
The Church service terminated with the National Anthem & Nunc Dimittis, sung by the church choir. Also sung during the service was the 23rd & 24th Psalms. The hymns were Praise my Soul-, O God our Help- The singing was very impressive.
The Rector felt it right that they should assemble them together as Christian men and women to re-consecrate their youngest and most recent sorrow, and to pay their tribute to the memory of those who had made the great sacrifice for those left behind.
In the case of Tom Weaver, however, one might say ”Like father like son”. He was a member of the choir and was always ready to serve the church in any capacity he could. Private Tom Weaver was born and lived in Christleton, but work took him to another district. Shortly after the outbreak of war, he joined the Durham Light Infantry. He was at Hartlepool when the German raid took place & he saw some comrades killed. Then he went abroad but missed his father’s funeral, but was a great comfort to his mother, “touching to behold”
Funeral Attendance
Mr & Mrs Porritt and Miss Porritt, Capt. J T Porritt, Mr & Mrs Radcliffe, Mr Proctor Radcliffe, Mrs Smallwood, Mr C Riley (Porritt & Riley Cotton Brokers Liverpool) Captain Hislop, Lieutenant Levy, Mr and Mrs A E Hall, Mr Ansell Crippen, Mrs John Weaver Mr E Weaver, Misses E M and J Weaver, Mr W G Lawrence, Mrs Townson, Mr & Mrs A E Ward, Mr & Mrs Plant. Mr & Mrs Heywood, Mr & Mrs John Cullimore, D.W Lees, Mr Sidebottom (Littleton Hall) Mr Sidebottom Junior, Capt. & Miss Winter, Capt. & Miss Sweatenham, Mr H Martin, Mrs & Miss Hickey, Mrs & Miss Melchior, Miss Toft, Mrs & Miss Dodd (The Hollows) Mrs Peacock (Cotton Hall) Misses Griffiths, Mr & Mrs Clifford, Mrs Broadbent, Mrs W J Morgan, the maids from The Grange. Mr G Bridgewater, Mr & Mrs Tom Griffiths, Mr & Mrs T J Cooper, Mr & Mrs W J Mayers, Miss N Mayers, Mrs Wildig, Mr R Lunt, Mr F Evans, Mr Joseph Mosford, Miss Mosford, Mrs & Miss Billington, Mr S Lyons, Miss Lyons. The Misses Nicholls, Mr and Mrs Gagan, Mrs W Mathews, Mr & Mrs T Mayers, Miss I Mayers, Mr & Mrs J Fleet, Mr & Mrs W Pleavin, Mr and Mrs W Poston, Miss W Poston, Mrs Jackson, Mrs Carmen, Mr & Mrs Towers, Rev Walter Handley(New York City)** Mr E Grubb, Mr F Mayers, Mr W Evans, Mrs Gregory, maids from Christleton Bank, Mr & Mrs W Millwood, Mrs T Dodd, Mr T Roberts, Mr Lewis Jones, Mr & Mrs Ellis, Miss M J Mayers, Mrs J Woodcock, Mrs Pickavance, Mrs Hewitt, Miss Sybil Gregory, Mr H Mayers, Mr James Poston, Miss F Poston, Mr Joseph Mayers, Mr & Mrs J Jones, Private A Gregory & Miss Eliza Griffiths.
Also a full parade of Christleton District Volunteers under the Commandant Mr E Gardner (Saighton) & Sub Commandant Maker (Christleton)
**The Reverend Walter Handley was born in Christleton, and later ordained as a Minister in the Episcopal Church of America. He was a curate in West Springfield Massachusetts from 1915-16, and was himself killed in action, at Arras in France whilst serving with the 9th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 25th March 1918.
HEROES TOGGLE