We Remember Our Fallen Heroes

On this Remembrance Day we remember The Sandgrounders lost in battle.

With thanks to Dan Hayes for the details.

William Sinclair Died:01/07/1916

Biography: William was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. In civilian life he was a joiner.

SFC Playing Stats: To our knowledge, William did not make a first team appearance, yet according to the Southport Visiter he “assisted Southport Central”. Part of the famous Sinclair family, we believe he was a regular reserve.

Benjamin Rickerby Died: 15/09/1916

Biography: Benjamin is one of 1,200 officers and men of the New Zealand Division who died in the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

SFC Playing Stats: 8 Appearances, 1903-1905

Richard Rainford Died: 09/04/1917

Biography: Born on 17th Feb 1886 in Southport, Richard played for Southport Central in 1906-07. He served with the Canadian army in France and received a Canadian war decoration posthumously in removing a wounded officer under heavy fire to a place of safety.

SFC Playing Stats: 4 appearances, 1 Goal 1906-07

Edward John Lightfoot Died:20/07/1918

Biography: Edward was the youngest son of Edward Lightfoot and Elizabeth Lightfoot (nee Williams). Edward enlisted in Seaforth, Lancashire. He was killed in action.

SFC Playing Stats: 75 Appearances, 1909-1911

Reginald Leaf Turnell Died:23/11/1917

Biography: Richard was killed while leading his platoon into attack. Lieutenant Turnell joined the army at the outbreak of war.

SFC Playing Stats: 9 Appearances 1912/13

Arthur Stringfellow Died: 25/03/1918

Biography: Last seen walking to a first aid station after having been wounded in the arm.

SFC Playing Stats: 173 Games, 61 Goals

John Henry (Jack) Wareing Died:28/03/1918

Biography: John was killed in action dying instantaneously, while serving his gun.

SFC Playing Stats: 21 Appearances, 1903-1906

William Rigby, pictured on 09/09/1916

The grave of William Rigby, Duke Street Cemetery, Southport

William Rigby Died: 27/10/1918

Burial Place: Duke Street Cemetery, Southport

Biography: Prior to enlisting he was employed by Messrs Heyes Bros, Leicester Street. William died at a military hospital in Sunderland from wounds received. He was buried with full military honours.

SFC Playing Stats: 58 Appearances 1913-1915 plus war-time appearances

Leslie Cant Died: 19/06/1943

Biography: He was the sole survivor when six men were blown up in a dugout in the North African desert. Though he lost limbs, he clung on to life for nine weeks only to die on the operating table in a military hospital.

SFC Playing Stats: 11 Appearances, 1934/1935

Henry ‘Harry’ Salmon Died: 30/07/1944

Biography: Initially working on ammunitions, he was called up in 1940 and joined the Warwickshire Regiment; he took part in the D-Day landings but was killed when a mine exploded.

SFC Playing Stats: 25 Appearances, 1937/38

Jimmy ‘Tim’ Briscoe Died: 10/06/1944

Biography: He was killed in action on the Italian front aged only 30, helping a comrade who had been shot by a sniper.

SFC Playing Stats: 2 Appearances, 1937/38

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