BURNLEY OFFICER’S DEATH
GASSED OVER TWELVE MONTHS AGO (Burnley Express 28/12/1918)

We deeply regret to announce the death, on Monday last, of Sec.-Lieut. Eric James Wilshaw, R.F.A., at the John Leigh Memorial Hospital, Altrincham, after a long illness, nobly and patiently borne. As reported in the “Express” exactly a year ago to-day. Sec.-Lieut. Wilshaw was very seriously gassed at Passchendale on October 31. 1917. and since then has been continuously in hospital. Though it is thought that he might have recovered from the gas poisoning, unfortunately other complications set in, and to these the young officer finally succumbed on the 23rd. Much sympathy will be extended to Sergt.-Major and Mrs. Wilshaw in the grievous double loss they have sustained in the war, both Eric Wilshaw and his late brother Corpl. Leslie R. Wilshaw, M.T. A.S.C. (killed during an air raid on Sept. 3. 1917), being young men of promise and high character.
Sec.-Lieut Wilshaw was a general favourite with all who knew him, being full of humour, high-spirited, fearless and upright, and his death will be sadly lamented. He had been on active service since August 1914, having served in Egypt and Gallipoli, and receiving his commission in February 1917. He was educated at Alleyn’s College Dulwich, and the Higher Grade School Burnley. He was learning the manufacturing business at Cairo Mills. A younger brother is Mr. G.M. Wilshaw, junior, connected with the R.A.F., stationed at Manchester.
The interment took place at Briercliffe Churchyard yesterday. A military funeral had been ordered by the authorities but owing to so many men being on leave this was found to be impossible. The coffin, draped by the Union Jack, was borne by friends of the deceased from the Young Men's’Class from Holy Trinity , with which he and his late brother were actively connected and, in fact, with the general life of the church.