17923 Private Edward Bottomley
9th(Service)Battalion
Devonshire Regiment
1st July 1916
Updated on 11/07/2026
Born in Royton Lancashire on 29/12/1885. His parents were Isaac Bottomley(1857-10/03/1923) and
Mary Taylor(1860-1922). They were married on 23/10/1878.
Edward had 4 brothers; Cornelius(19/08/1879-1880),Robert(23/12/1881-03/08/1954),John Charles(born in 1890)
and Thomas(born in 1896).
He also had 3 sisters; Mary Ann( 01/06/1884-1949), Ethel(born in 1889) and Nellie (26/06/1893-1960).
In the 1891 census, the family were recorded as living at 16 Longfield Street, Aspull, Lancashire.
Isaac was employed as a collier.
In the 1901 census, the family were now recorded as living at 29 Brancker Street WestHoughton Lancashire.
Isaac and Edward were both working as colliers.
On 03/07/1909 Edward married Elizabeth Alice Whittaker(1884-16/10/1951).
They had 3 daughters, Violet(04/12/1909-1992), Nellie (1912-1913) and Elsie (09/12/1913-1994).
In the 1911 census, Edward and his new family were recorded as living at 63 Venice Street, Daubhill, Lancashire.
Edward was employed as a coal miner drawer.
At the outbreak of war, Edward enlisted in the Royal Navy on 02/08/1914, service number M8388. He was based aboard H.M.S. Vivid I, that was moored at Devonport. He was described as being 5 ft 8 inches in height,
Chest 38 inches, Hair & Eyes Brown. It was also noted that the end of his right index finger was deformed.
He was discharged from the Royal Navy on 27/02/1915, after he refused to be vaccinated.
After leaving the Navy, he enlisted again, this at Westhoughton Lancashire as Private 17923 in the 9th (Service) Battalion Devonshire Regiment and his date of disembarkation into France was on 21/12/1915.
He was killed in action on 01/07/1916.
He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
His wife received a pension of 18/6 a week from 22/01/1917 awarded on 11/01/1917.