ECCLES JOURNAL
26th November 1915
Extracts from the newspaper archives
Researched and kindly forwarded by Neil Drum of Irlam, Manchester, Lancashire
An Appreciation and an Appeal From the Trenches
About  130  Cardigan  jackets  have  been  despatched  by the  local Red Cross Committee to soldiers  from  the  district  serving  with the  British Expeditionary Forces in France,  the Dardanelles,  and  Serbia.  The first batch  were  dispatched  yesterday  week.
Each parcel contains an expression of the good wishes of  the committee.
On  Wednesday night  Mr  J. Cooke,  honorary  secretary,  received  the first acknowledgement from Pte. Wm. Makinson, of "B" Company, 11th Battalion,  Lancashire Fusiliers,  with the British Expeditionary Force  in France:
"Just a few lines,  hoping to find you, all in good health as it leaves me at present.  I received the parcel which the Red Cross Committee so kindly sent to me,  and  for which please accept my sincerest thanks.  I think we are in for a severe winter, and this is a very useful gift." Pte. Makinson's wife and family reside at 10,  Dixon St.,  Irlam.
ECCLES JOURNAL
17th November 1916
Missing Since August
Lance-Corporal William Makinson, of the Lancashire Fusiliers, has been officially  reported  missing since the  8th  August,  having  been in active service in France nearly two years.
He was  39 years of age when he joined the colours, and was employed at the Steelworks previously.
His  wife and  seven  children,  with whom  much sympathy  is  expressed, reside at 10, Dixon St., Irlam.
A second and unwanted report which was later confirmed.