A CEREMONY tomorrow (Saturday, August 5) will mark a century since the death in the First World War of Askam soldier Ben Holmes.

Pte Holmes, 20, served with the 14th Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and died on August 5 in 1917 during the early stages of the Battle of Passchendaele.

His sacrifice will be commemorated by the lighting of a candle at 6pm at the Askam and Ireleth War Memorial.

Members of Askam and Ireleth History Group have been researching the men whose names are recorded on the memorial and holding a ceremony for each of them on the 100 th anniversary of their death.

Pte Holmes was the son of George and Sarah Holmes and at the time of his death resided at 121 Crossley Street, Askam - possibly a beer house called the Prince of Wales.

He had 8 siblings, Margaret Jane, Richard, John, Dora, Tom George, William and Mary. His father was an iron ore miner from Bootle and his mother from Millom.

The family had lived in various houses in Steel Street, Askam over the years.

His mother died in 1941 and is buried in St Peter’s Churchyard, Ireleth.

Before joining up Pte Holmes served his apprenticeship as a draper at Dalton Co-Operative Society.

He joined up on December 10 in 1915 in Dalton and on May 12 in 1916 he was he assigned to 2nd/5th Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was a Territorial battalion.

He arrived in Rouen on June 11 in 1917, joined the 14th battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and was posted to Ypres.

For the advance on Passchendaele from July 31 - the third Battle of Ypres – his battalion was part of XIX Corps.

Heavy rains caused a quagmire of mud and on August 3, it was stated that: “The line gained the previous day was held and every man had his feet rubbed and dry socks and a hot drink mainly due to the endeavors of RSM Tucker.

“The weather was still bad and the trenches were full of water.

“At intervals throughout the day there was considerable hostile shelling.”

Private Holmes was injured in action on August 2 and was evacuated to No 47 Casualty Clearing Station at Dozinghem where he died of his wounds on August 5.

The Matron wrote that Pte Holmes had suffered severe wounds to his thigh and arm and there was no chance of his recovery.

A tribute in the Barrow News noted: “He is but another of those brave Askam lads who have died for their country, a gallant band every one.

“I hope that ere long a scheme will be matured for a suitable memorial for those fallen.

The grave of Pte Holmes was visited during a battlefield tour in 2015 and a message was left from the people of Askam and Ireleth to say that he was remembered.