GRID REF: NY466 568 Postcode CA4 8PG
St Leonard's Church Warwick on Eden
This ancient church, believed to be one of the oldest Norman churches in the north of England was established here in the early 12th Century. It served a thriving communitywhich provided considerable employment in its various industries. Of its young men who went to war, five would not see their homes again. They are commemorated here on this bronze plaque within the church.
The names listed here are;
Pte Isaac Lawson, aged 38, who died on 18th May 1918 while serving with 1st Bn Army Service Corps. He is interred in St Hilaire Cemetery Extension, Frevent, in grave C2. He was the son of William and Mrs Lawson, of Warwick-on-Eden and had worked in his earlier years as a groom at Alby House at Cocklakes. He died in a lorry accident while resting behind the lines.
Pte John Carson Gordon, who served with 7th Bn Border Regiment, died on 2nd Feb 1917 while in a front-line trench. The Battalion Diary tells us he, and one other were the only fatalities that day. He is interred in Sailly-Saillisel British Cemetery, in grave V1.D.1. He was the son of James and Henrietta Gordon, of Terregles, Kirkcdbright, Scotland. By 1911 his parents had moved to Wheelbarrow Hall, Aglionby where John became a gardener.
Stoker 1st Class William Ormiston was 21 years old when he died of wounds on 17th Oct 1918. He is interred here in the family grave near the east boundary of the churchyard having survived the torpedoing of his ship, HMS Princess Royal, only to contract pneumonia and die in Granton Naval Hospital, Edinburgh during the Flu pandemic. He was the son of David and Elizabeth Ormiston, of Rose Cottage, Warwick on Eden. His father was a builder and stonemason of note.
Pte James Alexander Gordon Patterson died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme while serving with 2nd Bn Prince of Wales Own West Yorkshire Regiment. He has no known grave and is commemorated on panel 21 of the Menin Gate. His parents were James Alexander and Mary Jane, nee Gordon. They were living at Castle Douglas when he was born but had moved to Botchergate in Carlisle by 1901. James later lived at Wheelbarrow Hall and worked for Lady Carlisle, possibly at Naworth. He was the nephew of Pte John Carson Gordon.
In the churchyard we find John Carson Gordon and James Alexander Gordon Paterson commemorated here on the family grave of the grieving parents and grandparents.
Pte Thomas Hilton Wannop, the son of Joseph and Mary Wannop, serving with 2/5th York and Lancs Regiment, died on 27th November 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial to the Missing, Louverval, on Panel 9/10.
ACCESS Access can be arranged by contacting Rev David Craven. 01228 560332.
You are invited to research further the history of these men and of the community which honours them by perusing the very informative booklet produced by Mr Lee A H Baker. It may be obtained from the Museum of Military Life, in Carlisle Castle, and from a number of other locations.
