Lance/Corporal Job Emmett
5109 2nd East Lancashire Regiment D Coy
Killed in Action 9th May 1915, aged 19
Lived at 5 Barratt Street
Commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium
St.Andrews Memorial, Burnley

Burnley Express 24/7/1915 11/9/1915 (P)

born & enlisted Burnley, Son of James & Mary Emmett, of 5 Barrett Street, Burnley Lane

The 2nd East Lancashire Regiment on the 9th May 1915 were fighting the Battle of Aubers Ridge, the casualties amounted to 10 Officers killed, 9 wounded; 63 other ranks killed, 325 wounded and 42 missing.

BURNLEY CORPORAL’S END LETTERS FROM A SCHOOL MATE (Burnley Express 11/09/15)

Official notice reached Mr & Mrs Emmett of 5 Barrett Street, Burnley, on Wednesday morning that their son, Corporal Job Emmett, of the 2nd Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, was killed in action on May 9th. Mr & Mrs Emmett have had to pass through a period of sustained anxiety for conflicting reports had come to hand respecting their son’s fate. No word was received from him after May 8th 1915, but he was reported to be killed then only wounded, and afterwards posted as “missing, believed killed.” In July the name “Lance Corporal J. Emmett” appeared in the official casualty list as “missing and believed killed,” and we published a request from the parents for information. As a result of this Private McNab (5181) of “D” Company 2nd East Lancashire Regiment, wrote-“Dear Mr & Mrs Emmett,-I saw your appeal for news of your son’s fate in the “Burnley Express,” and as I can enlighten you I think it is my duty to write and let you know. You’re Job and me went to school together, and we were both at Fulwood Barracks, so you see I know him better than anyone. I am sorry to have to inform you Job was killed on May 9th in a charge for the German trenches at (censured Aubers Ridge). He had been promoted to Corporal, and would have made a name for himself before long, and one consolation is that he died a brave man. He never faltered, but met his fate in the great cause. Everyone who knew him was very sorry, as he was well liked and was a promising soldier. I know how a mother feels for her sons and can sympathise with you in your grief. Though it was God’s will, it is very hard, and we never know when it is our turn, young men are falling every day. So I will now close. Please accept both the sympathy of myself and His Company, as he is very much missed by all.-P.S. He was buried, and decently too, by the 5th Black Watch.
Corporal Emmett was only in his 20th year. Before enlisting he worked at Barden pit top.