Captain Angus Virtue MAKANT

Angus Virtue Makant  was born in Bolton, Lancashire in 1889, the second son of John William Makant JP a prominent Lancashire Industrialist who became the High Sheriff of Lancashire in 1913 and was also Chairman of Bolton Wanderers FC.

A.V. Makant was educated at Harrow and Clare College, Cambridge BA(Cantab). He excelled at sports during his education and played for the Harrow cricket XI  twice against Eton at Lords and also had the distinction of playing at Lords in 1907 in the great match when Maurice Bird made a couple of 100’s. He was also captain of the Harrow football eleven. Taking an interest in his fathers’ business, he became attached to both Bolton Cricket Club and Bolton Wanderers FC where he played a couple of times as a defender in the reserve team at Burnden Park.

Being gazetted 2^nd Lt into the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment on 29^th January 1910 . He took an active part in the social welfare of his men, and during training in England was editor of ‘The Bolton Boys’ a little monthly publication for the battalion to ease the monotony.  He was to see active service in France.

Promoted Captain from 23^rd December 1914, he was second in command of ‘C’ Company, 1/5th Battalion. It was whilst serving in the trenches at Armentieres, France at 3.30am Sunday 14^th March 1915 aged 25yrs when he was killed by a German sniper. His brother Robert Keith Makant M.C. also 1/5^th Battalion was present at his death.

The Battalion has lost an excellent officer by the death of Angus V. Makant. He was loved and respected by all ranks. (Commanding Officer, 1/5th Battalion)

Straight, loyal and sympathetic, a natural leader, caring little for what others thought of him, he did more for the School and his house than he was perhaps aware of himself. It is not therefore surprising to learn of the affection felt for him by the men in his father’s works in Lancashire, which he entered on leaving Cambridge about five years ago, or again that in his Regiment he was looked up to by his men, who, whenever in any trouble, came to him for advice. (The Harrovian).

He was buried nearby at Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery Armentieres, his name also appears on the 5^th battalion monument in Queens Park, Bolton.

A local newspaper reported his death;

Rank: Captain
Date of Death: 14/03/1915
Age: 26
Regiment/Service: The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, 5th Bn.
Cemetery: CITE BONJEAN MILITARY CEMETERY, ARMENTIERES

The Makant Cup at Bolton School

The Makant Cup was first presented for a house football match by the High Sheriff of Lancashire, John William Makant, at Prize Day in 1913. Since then it has been played for annually in the Senior House Competition.

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Garry Farmer

Garry's grandfather and great uncles served in the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment during WWI, 2 Gt uncles were KIA at Ypres and Mesopotamia. A regular worldwide battlefield visitor and exhibitor at the OMRS Convention he spent 36 years as a civil and RAF policeman and served on operations in Bosnia, Cyprus, Kenya, North, Central and South America.

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