Elijah Ruddle was born in 1895 in Heywood, Lancashire, the youngest of six children. His father was Josiah Ruddle, a blacksmith, who was born on 22 March 1856 in Greetham, Rutland, the youngest of thirteen children of Bartholomew Ruddle who came from nearby Langham where the well-known Ruddles Brewery operated until its closure in 1999. If there is a connection between Elijah's branch of the family and the brewers, it is a remote one and we have not found it. Elijah's mother was Frances Barber who was born in 1855 in Kilndown, Kent.
Frances and Josiah were married on 24 March 1883 at East Grinstead, Sussex and their first child was born there on 30 June next and named after his father. Judging from the births of their children, the family moved location frequently, presumably in connection with Josiah's work.
A daughter, Susannah, was born in Longparish, Hampshire and baptised on 26 February 1885 but sadly she died aged 14 months when the family were living in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. Another daughter, Bessie, was born in Walton on 9 January 1887. The next child, Alfred, was born in Lewes, Sussex in 1888 but he died in 1891 when the family were living in Runcorn, Cheshire. The following year another son was born and named John Matthew.
Josiah was still a registered voter in Runcorn in 1895 but it would appear that the family moved to Heywood near Bury where Elijah was born before they came to live in our area. In the Census taken on 31 March 1901, Josiah, Frances and their four surviving children (Josiah junior., Bessie, John Matthew and Elijah) were recorded at 48 Gamble Road, Thornton. Josiah junior had become an engine fitter.
Bessie had left home and become a domestic servant in Blackpool by the time of the next Census, on 2 April 1911. The rest of the family had moved home to the Burn Naze Crossing Cottage. The two Josiahs were working at their respective trades for United Alkali. Elijah, aged 16, was an apprentice to a cycle and motor car trader. Sadly, John was not able to work because of a mental deficiency from birth.
Elijah had become a blacksmith's striker at United Alkali by the time he enlisted in the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment on 3 September 1914. He served on the Home Front until he was sent to France on 17 July 1915. Just over a year later, Elijah was killed in action at Pozières on 31 July. He was aged 21 and unmarried.
The Fleetwood Express, dated 30 August 1916, printed the contents of a letter sent to Elijah's mother by Pte. Thomas Serpluss, 4097, K.O.R.L. It read: "I am very sorry to have to send you some bad news, but your son was killed in the front line on July 31st, about 10.00 a.m., death being instantaneous. Our lads had gone over the top the night before and took a trench, and our guns had to remain in the old trench and hold it in case the Germans made a counter attack. Your son belonged to my gun team. The Germans shelled us all night long, and we were expecting every minute to be our last. The worst happened about ten next morning. Your son was sitting with three other members of my team when a shell burst right on top of the trench in front of them. Five were killed and five were badly wounded. Three of us escaped, as we were a short distance away. It was a great pity as we got relieved the same evening, but it was God's will that some had to be left behind. I am the only one left of my team, and I have taken the liberty of writing you because your son belonged to my team, and was well liked by everybody in the gun section. All the gunners join in sending their deepest sympathy to you in your sad loss. Believe me your son has died a soldier's death, fighting and dying in the front line for his King and country."
Pte. Elijah Ruddle, 1327, 7th Battalion, Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, is commemorated on Pier and Face 5D and 12 B of the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.
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