Lance Corporal 29189, 1st/5th The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.
Died of illness 8th January 1918, age 19.
Buried at Lillers Communal Cemetery.
Unknown relationship to The Tech.
Gerald Slack was born on 5th November 1898 to George Boothby Slack, a Cotton Yarn Merchant, and his wife Mary Elizabeth. The third of four children, he was educated at Manchester Grammar School (1912-15) and went on to work in his father’s business. A keen sportsman, he played cricket for Stockport Cricket Club and enjoyed Lacrosse. He was also member of St Thomas’ choir.
In February 1917 Gerald enlisted in the The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (his elder brother, George Wilfred serverd in the same regiment). He went to the western front in November 1917 and saw action a month later. The winter weather was severe and he was admitted to hospital on the 6th January suffering from broncho-pneumonia to which he succumbed on the 8th.