Part 1: Setting the scene of a tragic tale involving Weaverham war veterans

In 1901 the family of Alfred and Agnes Heald lived at One Ash, Sandy Lane, Weaverham.

They had six children, and one of the children was Herbert, and he was two years old; we will look at him later.

The Heald family were well known in Weaverham and Northwich. Alfred was for many years a clerk in the offices of J.E. Fletcher solicitors of Northwich before being appointed as receiving officer and the registrar of births, marriages and deaths at Weaverham.

One of his sons, Alfred Ernest Heald, worked in the same office during his early career when he was responsible for the clerical work of the Northwich Petty Sessional Division and magistrates clerk to Mr Mark J. Fletcher. He had a military career during the First World War and was commissioned, eventually reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel.

He served through the Second World War. Between the wars, Alfred Ernest Heald formed the 1St Weaverham Boy Scout Group, and he also created the Weaverham Branch of the Royal British Legion. He was awarded the MBE.

Another son and one important to this story is Herbert, who was educated at Weaverham Grammar School in Forest Street; he joined the Royal Army Ordnance Corps whilst in his teens and served in the 1914-1918 war, rising through the ranks.

After the war, he remained in the Regular Army and was based at Ormskirk for some years.

The grammar school in Weaverham circa 1900-1910

He met and married his wife Ivy, nee Groom, who originated in South Wales and had joined the Woman's Army Auxiliary Corps.

She served throughout the First World War, rising to officer rank. They remained in Ormskirk, becoming well known. Herbert was an excellent shot with a rifle and won many trophies.

Ivy was a keen church worker and, like her husband, was skilled at tennis. Herbert also served with distinction during the Second World War gaining rapid promotion to major and an award of the MBE.

At the time of his death, he was on leave from Lisburn in Northern Ireland, where he was deputy director of ordnance services and living at Southport.  

Herbert and Ivy only had one son, born on July 26, 1923. His name was Kenneth Charles Heald, and he was educated at Ormskirk Grammar School and Colwyn Bay.

After leaving school, he joined the Merchant Navy as a radio officer and was torpedoed several times during the war.

On one occasion, he was adrift in a lifeboat with three other survivors for three days before being rescued. On another, he was the only survivor.

The story will continue next week when the family is split asunder by the activities of Kenneth Charles Heald.

Also, the story takes us to 29 West Road, Weaverham, the home of Mrs Agnes Heald, grandmother of the errant Kenneth.