PRIVATE soldier Edwin Mason survived wounds to the eye, forearm and hand – and being gassed – before being killed in action on April 10 in 1917 while serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers.

The Barrow News of May 12 in 1917 noted: “Now the sad news comes that this gallant fighter has fought in his last battle and fallen with his face to the foe.”

He had the unusual military number of 84 and is buried at Brown's Copse Cemetery at Roeux.

The 32-year-old was a career soldier and had served in India for many years.

His parents lived in Ship Street, Barrow.

Dalton soldier Willie Turner Clark was army number 30127 and was killed on Easter Monday, April 11, in 1917 at the age of 23.

He served with the 8th Battalion of the King's Own and is buried at Wancourt British Cemetery.

Pte Clark was the son of Thomas and Sara, of Dalton and was a pre-war iron ore miner at Woodbine Pit. The family lived at Fell Croft.

Cartmel gunner Joseph Huddleston was army number 72086 with the 4th Siege Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery.

He died from his wounds on May 1 in 1917 and is buried at Ste Catherine British Cemetery, near Arras.

He was the son Sarah, of Barngarth, Cartmel, and the late Joseph.

The Barrow News of May 26 in 1917 noted: “The deceased soldier was a fine strapping fellow of 35 and joined the colours in April of last year.

“He had been in France about 10 months.

“Prior to enlistment. He was a carter in the employ of William Rigg.”

Pte Roland Shepherd was aged just 18 when he was killed on July 31 in 1916.

He served with the Royal Fusiliers and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to those with no known grave from fighting on the Somme.

Pte Shepherd was a pre-war apprentice shipwright and his parents lived at St Luke’s Street Barrow.

The Barrow News on May 12 in 1917 noted that he was blown up while resting in a communication trench and waiting for orders to go with a bombing party.