From the Western Front to Salonika

Before going off to war, Herbert Halliday lived in the Lancashire town of Rawtenstall. The local newspaper for the Rawtenstall area is the Rossendale Free Press. This is published once a week on a Saturday. Rawtenstall Library keep back issues on microfilm and the British Newspaper Library at Colindale, North London keep originals.

During the war the newspaper published the names of local men killed and sometimes reported those that were wounded. I have found no report of Herbert being gassed in the paper. However, in the autumn of 1915 the newspaper sent out an appeal to the residents of the Rawtenstall Borough to send in the names of their next of kin serving in the armed forces. This was to refute claims that the borough had not sent its quota of men to the colours. Ten lists of names were produced and these were published in the paper over a number of weeks, the first appearing on the 16th October 1915. Below is shown a transcript from the third list published on 30th October 1915.

RAWTENSTALL'S ROLL OF HONOUR ____________ Local Men Serving their Country at Home and Abroad ______________ THIRD LIST. ______________
Every post brings us a batch of names for the Roll of Honour, and we have now received such numbers that we have decided to publish about 200 names each week. Those who have already sent in names that have not appeared, should understand that they will be published at a later date in the order in which they have been received. We want the names of every Rawtenstall lad who has enlisted in any branch of the Army or Navy, Ambulance, or in any other capacity where the King's uniform is worn. Any number of names can be enclosed in one envelope, and particulars can be sent on a sheet of paper, written on one side only. The names should be sent in by the next of kin to avoid duplication, and this should be done at an early date. Letters of public interest sent to parents, etc., by soldiers, and interesting information such as has already appeared, will be published weekly under the heading of letters from soldiers' kinspeople. Letters should be addressed thus:- "Roll of Honour," "Free Press" Office, Rawtenstall.	T	attorsall, W. H., 11, Ashmount, Cloughfold; 3rd Battalion King's Own Royal Lancasters; married; stationed at Plymouth; enlisted at Rawtenstall.
	H	ollows, J. J., 26, Hill-street, Crawshawbooth; East Lancashire Regiment; single; stationed at Plymouth; enlisted at Rawtenstall.
	P	ollard, Absalon, 15, Calf Hey, Goodshawfold, near Crawshawbooth; East Lancashire Regiment; married; stationed in France; enlisted at Rawtenstall.
	C	oley, James, 9, Parrock-street, Crawshawbooth; R.W.F., Garrison Battalion; single; stationed at Gibraltar; enlisted at Rawtenstall.
	H	ewitt, Reginald, 2, Clowes Fold, Rawtenstall; 6th Battalion Worcesters; single; stationed at Devonport; enlisted at Rawtenstall.
	H	ewitt, George, 2, Clowes Fold, Rawtenstall; King's Royal Rifles; single; stationed in France; enlisted at Haslingdon.
	H	ewitt, Robert W., Back Carr-terrace, Rawtenstall; A.S.C., T.F.; married; stationed at Manchester; enlisted at Manchester.
	C	ole, E.; Loyal North Lancashires; married; enlisted at Rawtenstall.
	H	alliday, Herbert, 12, Union-street, Springside, Rawtenstall; Royal Field Artillery; single; stationed in France; enlisted at Accrington.
	P	ickup, James, 14, Goodshaw-lane, Crawshawbooth; R.A.M.C.; single; stationed at the Isle of Wight; enlisted at Rawtenstall.
	H	alliday, Abraham, 65, Bury-road, Rawtenstall; Army Veterinary Corps; married; stationed in France; enlisted at Burnley.

As can be seen both Herbert and his brother Abraham appear in this list. The information given is of some use in that it proves they did not enlist together (Herbert enlisted at Accrington, Abraham enlisted at Burnley) and also shows that Herbert was still stationed in France at this time, as was the 27th division.