Liverpool Pals Who Died on This Day

From: Liverpool
K.I.A (109 Years this day)
Monday 23rd April 1917.
23 years old

William Ernest Adams was born in Rice Street, Liverpool on 23rd May 1893, the son of Thomas Adams and his wife Annie (née McMahon) who were married on 24th October 1880 at St Peter’s Church in Liverpool. Thomas was a 30 year old police constable of Upper Newington, father Robert a farmer, whilst Annie was aged 21, same address, father James a farmer. William was baptised at St Peter's Church in Liverpool on 02nd July 1893. The baptismal records show that his father was a Policeman, born in Balanacoy, Antrim.

His mother Annie died, aged 38, in 1898 and was buried at Ford Cemetery.

His father, Thomas, remarried to Delia McMahon in early 1901.

The family is found on the 1901 Census living at 30 Upper Hill Street, Liverpool. William is 7 years of age. His father, Thomas, is a 50 year old Police Constable, his birth year given as 1851, his occupation as a Police Constable and his place of birth as Ireland. He has remarried and his wife, Delia, is shown as aged 24, born in 1877 also in Ireland. William has three siblings in the household, all of whom were born in liverpool; Thomas F. a 19 year old dock labourer, Robert J. aged 12 and new born Charles J. Also declared in the household are a niece Margaret McMahon, a 26 year old dressmaker born in Ireland and a boarder.

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 80 Upper Pitt Street, Liverpool. His father, now a retired Policeman and Theatre Attendant aged 62, his birth year now recorded as 1849., whilst his wife, Delia is shown to be aged aged 31, born 1880 in Crossmolina, Co. Mayo and she has no occupation listed. They have been married for 11 years and declare that they have had five children all of whom have survived. Thomas has seven children living with him at the taking of the Census; Robert aged 22, born 1889 is a postman, William aged 17, born 1894 is a junior clerk for a oat merchant. The children born to him with his wife Delai are listed as; John Charles aged 10, born 1900, Margaret aged 9 born 1901, Delia aged 7, born 1903 and James Andrew aged 5, born 1905 are all at school and Madeleine is aged 2, born 1909. The children were all born in Liverpool to mother Mahon/McMahon.
Prior to enlistment William was employed by the Post Office, and A. E. Bennett and Co, Engine Oil Mfrs, George Street, Liverpool.

Prior to enlistment William was employed by the Post Office, and A. E. Bennett and Co, Engine Oil Mfrs, George Street, Liverpool.

William enlisted in Liverpool joining in the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 17242.

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 07^th November 1915.

He was posted as Missing and later accepted as being killed in action on 23rd April 1917, aged 23.

His anxious parents placed an appeal for information in the Liverpool Express newspaper on 26th May 1917:

MISSING SOLDIER

Pte. W. E. Adams, attached to the Machine Gun Section of the King's Liverpool Regiment has been missing since April 23.Any news concerning him will be gratefully received by Mrs Thomas Adams, of 80 Upper Pitt-st., Liverpool.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Weekly Courier on Saturday 30 June 1917:

FALLEN HEROES.

Previously reported missing, Pte W. E. Adams, K.L.R., is now officially reported killed on April 23rd. He joined up at the beginning of the war, and had seen 18 months continuous service in France. He went right through the Somme offensive last year. Before joining the army he was employed by Messrs. A. E. Bennett and Co.

William's body was not recovered from the battlefield or was subsequently lost as his name is recorded on the Arras Memorial in France.

The ARRAS MEMORIAL commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918, the eve of the Advance to Victory, and have no known grave. The most conspicuous events of this period were the Arras offensive of April-May 1917, and the German attack in the spring of 1918. Canadian and Australian servicemen killed in these operations are commemorated by memorials at Vimy and Villers-Bretonneux. A separate memorial remembers those killed in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. Both cemetery and memorial were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with sculpture by Sir William Reid Dick. The memorial was unveiled by Lord Trenchard, Marshal of the Royal Air Force on the 31 July 1932 (originally it had been scheduled for 15 May, but due to the sudden death of French President Doumer, as a mark of respect, the ceremony was postponed until July).

His name features in an entry on the British Red Cross & Order Of St John Enquiry List, Wounded & Missing, 1914-1919.

His Army Pay of £5 14s 6d was shared between step-mother Delia, brothers Thomas and John, £12 War Gratuity to brother Thomas, and Pension of 9/- pw to Delia.

His father died, aged 71, in 1917 and was buried on the 10th February at Toxteth Cemetery.

On the 1921 Census, Delia and family have moved to 4 Pickwick Street, Toxteth, she is aged 40, born Ballina, Co.Mayo. There are two more children, Deborah 9, and Horatio 4.

Delia died, aged 82, in 1962 and was buried on the 11th December at Toxteth Cemetery.

William Ernest earned his three medals.

He is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

Central Hall Methodist Memorial

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 16 Right

Liverpool Post Office Staff, now housed inside the Met Quarter shopping centre, Liverpool.

Grateful thanks are extended to Ancestry user MKRADAMS in Sydney, Australia for permission to use the photograph of William Ernest Adams now shown on this site.

We currently have no further information on William Ernest Adams, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Cpl 16763 William Thomas Allmark

From: Anfield, Liverpool
K.I.A (109 Years this day)
Monday 23rd April 1917.
20 years old

William Thomas was born in Liverpool in 1896 the son of William Owen Allmark and his wife Emily Jane (nee Smith). He was baptised on 21st September 1896.

The 1901 Census shows the family are living at 21 Bala Street, Walton. His father is a tinsmith born in Chester whilst his mother was born in Liverpool.

His mother died in 1907 aged 33.

By the time of the 1911 Census his father has remarried to Elizabeth and they live together with William at 56 Sedley Street, Liverpool. William now 14 is employed as a Clerk.

He enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 01st September 1914 joining the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 16763. He gave his age as 19 years and 20 days (exaggerated by 1 year) and his occupation as a Cotton Sampleman. He is described as being 5'5 inches tall and weighed 124lbs. He had a 37 inch chest, a sallow complexion and had grey eyes and brown hair.

He was hospitalised with Tonsillitis from 17/07- 30/07/1915 whilst in training at Belton Park.

He sailed to France with his Pals arriving on 07/11/1915.

He suffered a Gunshot Wound to his back on 12th August 1916 but resumed his duties on 16th August. He then had a bout of Trench foot from 21st -30th October 1916.

He was made Acting Lance Corporal on 04th December 1916,. He had a period of leave in the UK from 02nd -14th January 1917.

He was then made paid Lance Corporal on 07th April 1917. Two days later he was wounded in the opening phase of the Battle of Arras. He resumed duty on 10th April 1917 when he was also made Acting Corporal.

William was initially declared as missing on 23rd April 1917. He was subsequently ( on 05/05/17) declared as killed in action on 23/04/1917, aged 20.

His body was not recovered from the battlefield or was subsequently lost as his name is recorded on the Arras Memorial in France.

The ARRAS MEMORIAL commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918, the eve of the Advance to Victory, and have no known grave. The most conspicuous events of this period were the Arras offensive of April-May 1917, and the German attack in the spring of 1918. Canadian and Australian servicemen killed in these operations are commemorated by memorials at Vimy and Villers-Bretonneux. A separate memorial remembers those killed in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. Both cemetery and memorial were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with sculpture by Sir William Reid Dick. The memorial was unveiled by Lord Trenchard, Marshal of the Royal Air Force on the 31 July 1932 (originally it had been scheduled for 15 May, but due to the sudden death of French President Doumer, as a mark of respect, the ceremony was postponed until July).

A newspaper report in the Lpool Evening Express 17th August 1917 reported his death

Corpl. W.Allmark, King's Liverpool Regt., aged 20, was killed in action on April 23rd,1917. He lived with his parents at 9,Vienna-street, Liverpool, and was employed by Hooper and Co., Cotton Exchange.

His father received his effects on 17th December 1917 at his home at 9 Vienna Street, Everton.

William Thomas is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Richmond Baptist Church in Everton

Liverpool Cotton Association.

We currently have no further information on William Thomas Allmark, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Cpl 53085 Frank Percival Bell

From: Kingston, Surrey
D.O.W (109 Years this day)
Monday 23rd April 1917.
26 years old

Frank Percival was born in the second quarter of 1891 at Kingston upon Thames the son of Edward James Bell and his wife Mary Ann (née Read). His parents, both from Dorset, married in 1887 and had three children. Frank had older brothers William Reginald, born 1888, and Bertram Samuel, born 1889, born in Kingston upon Thames.

Before Frank’s birth, on the 1891 census, his parents were living in Kingston. His father is 24, an engineer, his mother is 25, Reginald is 3, and Samuel 2. Also in the household are his 60 year old grandmother, Ann Read, a dressmaker, and visitor Mary Ann Bell, 36, single, born in Dorset (likely a relative).

When Frank was two years old, in 1894, his mother died, at the age of 28. His father remarried in 1896, to the Mary Ann Bell who was visiting on the previous census.

In 1901 the family is living in Willoughby Road, Kingston. His father is 33, an engine fitter, stepmother Mary Ann is 46, William is 13, Bertram 11, and Frank is 10.

Frank has not been found on the 1911 census. His father, Mary Ann and brother Samuel are living at 30 Beresford Road, Kingston. His father, 43, is an engineer’s fitter, agricultural engineers, his stepmother is 55, Samuel is 21, a gas fitter.

Although Frank’s military record has not survived, the East Surrey Regiment attestation is indexed for F. P. Bell, address 30 Beresford Road, Kingston upon Thames. Frank attested in the 10th Bn on 25th November 1915, with service number 7539; his age is given as 25 years, 6 months (based on his birth registration he would have been 24 and a half), occupation salesman, height 5’8” and weight 130 lbs. This service number is different from that given on SDGW (18030). He achieved the rank of Corporal. He was subsequently transferred to the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment with the new service number of 53085.

Frank died on 23rd April 1917 at No.25 Stationary Hospital, Rouen “of wounds & suspect enteric [typhoid]”. He was 26 years of age and now rests at St. Sever Cemetery Extension in France where his headstone bears the epitaph:

"DEARLY LOVED"

During the First World War, Commonwealth camps and hospitals were stationed on the southern outskirts of Rouen. A base supply depot and the 3rd Echelon of General Headquarters were also established in the city.

Almost all of the hospitals at Rouen remained there for practically the whole of the war. They included eight general, five stationary, one British Red Cross and one labour hospital, and No. 2 Convalescent Depot. A number of the dead from these hospitals were buried in other cemeteries, but the great majority were taken to the city cemetery of St. Sever. In September 1916, it was found necessary to begin an extension, where the last burial took place in April 1920.

The Cemetery and the Extension adjoin each other but have separate Registers.

During the Second World War, Rouen was again a hospital centre and the extension was used once more for the burial of Commonwealth servicemen, many of whom died as prisoners of war during the German occupation.

The cemetery extension contains 8,348 Commonwealth burials of the First World War (ten of them unidentified) and in Block "S" there are 328 from the Second World War (18 of them unidentified). There are also 8 Foreign National burials here. The adjoining St. Sever Cemetery contains 3,082 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There is also 1 French burial and 1 non war service burial here.

The extension was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

Probate records show that on 01st November 1917 Probate was granted to William Bell.

The pension card, in the name of his stepmother Mrs. Mary A. Bell, 30 Beresford Road, shows that a pension of 8/5d a week was awarded.

Frank’s Army effects and a War Gratuity of £5-10s went to executor William Bright.

In September 1939 his father, 72, and stepmother, 84, are still living at 30 Beresford Road, with brother William, his wife and son. His father died in 1940, aged 72, leaving his estate to sons William Reginald and Bertram Samuel, and his stepmother in 1945.

We currently have no further information on Frank Percival Bell, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Lieut Charles David Calcott

From: Shrewsbury, Salop
K.I.A (109 Years this day)
Monday 23rd April 1917.
23 years old

Charles David was born in the 4th quarter of 1893 in Atcham, Shrewsbury the son of Charles William Calcott and his wife Margaret (nee Jones).

The 1901 Census shows the family living at Betton Strange, Bretton, Atcham. He is recorded as David and is 7 years of age, the only child recorded and living with his parents. His father is a farmer born in Betton in 1844, whilst his mother was born in Shropshire in 1854. There are four servants listed at the property.

Charles David attended Shrewsbury School leaving in 1910.

The 1911 Census records the family at Betton Strange, Berrington. Both parents are in the household, his mother now listed as having been born in Montgomery, Llanmaes, alongside David now 17 and shown as a Farmer's assistant. There are 3 servants listed and two visitors.

He enlisted in the Shropshire Yeomanry reaching the rank of Lance Corporal 1623 before he was commissioned to the 15th Battalion The King’s Liverpool Regiment.

At some stage in either 1915 or 1916, he was transferred to the 18th Battalion, and was wounded in the attack on Montauban on 1st July 1916.He returned for duty in January 1917 and was present in the fighting around Arras in early April 1917. However he does not appear in the Battalion War Diary until the entry which concerns his death, which took place on 23rd April 1917.

On that day the Battalion had occupied old German Trenches at Henniel on the Arras sector of the front. In the evening, it moved to a sunken road to support an attack by the 18th and 19th Battalion’s of the Manchester Regiment. Elements of the Pals were to provide mopping up parties for both the Manchester Battalions, who were to move forward at 18.00pm. However, as the orders were not received until 17.45pm,it proved impossible to join the Manchester’s in time for their attack and the mopping up parties followed from where they presumed that the assaulting waves had left.

By this time, the German retaliatory barrage had begun, and the British Front Line was so heavily shelled, that the Battalion took up position in the shell holes in front. As the situation was chaotic, some troops on the right flank had begun to pullback, it was decided to withdraw to the British front line under cover of darkness to consolidate. Eventually, by morning the position became clearer, and the Battalion was able to move forward to occupy the old front line which had been vacated by the Germans, who had retired over the next crest.

Altogether the Battalion’s losses were four officers and one hundred and one other ranks, killed, wounded or missing. Lieutenant Calcott was the only officer killed. He was aged twenty three.

He now rests at Rookery British Cemetery Heninel, France, Row C, Grave 23,

Heninel village was captured in a snowstorm on 12 April 1917 by the 56th (London) and 21st Division and the 50th (Northumbrian) Division, advancing from Heninel on the two following days, captured Wancourt Tower. Rookery British Cemetery (named from a group of trenches) was made by the 18th and 50th Division Burial Officers in April-June 1917 and used until November 1917. Two further burials were made in August 1918. The cemetery contains 55 First World War burials, one of which is unidentified.

After his death his parents endowed a bed to his memory at the Royal Shropshire Infirmary.

His Mother died in 1920 and his Father in 1929.

Charles David is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Shrewsbury School

Sir Philip Sidney Statue (Old Salopians)

Berrington War Memorial

Records show that Probate was granted to his father on 01/09/1917.

We currently have no further information on Charles David Calcott, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Pte 48040 Herbert Cook

From: Liverpool
K.I.A (109 Years this day)
Monday 23rd April 1917.
39 years old

Herbert was born September 1878 in Liverpool and was the son of Patrick Cook and his wife Mary Ann (formerly Thomas) of Liverpool and the husband of Annie Ada Shaw (formerly Cook), of 113 Mill Lane, Old Swan, Liverpool.

His parents married in 1875. Mary Thomas was a widow, her daughter Mary E. Thomas appears on the 1881 census aged 13.

The 1881 Census shows the family living at 134 Wavertree Vale, Wavertree, Liverpool. His father Patrick is aged 36, born 1845 in Liverpool, he is a boot maker, whilst his mother Mary is aged 40, born 1841 in Cheshire and has no occupation listed. They have three children in the household who were all born in Liverpool, Mary aged 13, born 1868 from previous marriage, she and Patrick aged 4, are both scholars and Herbert is aged 2.

On the 1891 census he is aged 12 living at 99 Bishopgate St, Wavertree with his married step-sister "Annie" (nee Thomas) and her spouse John Rogers 23 a cotton porter. They had married the previous year, witnessed by Isabel Shaw(see 1901 census). Also with him are brother Edward 8 and sister Winifred M. 6

The 1901 Census shows Herbert living with his married sister Isabella Shaw at 39, Wynne Street, Liverpool. The head of the household is Moses Shaw aged 41, born 1860 in Liverpool and he is employed as a commercial clerk. His wife Isabella and Herbert’s sister is aged 39, born 1862 in Liverpool and has no occupation listed. They have six children who were all born in Liverpool, Lilian aged 15, born 1886, Gertrude aged 11, born 1890, Walter aged 10, born 1891, Ernest aged 7, born 1894, Charles aged 4, born 1897 and Margurire aged 1, born 1900. Herbert is aged 22 and employed as a cotton clerk.

Herbert married Barbara Probert Richardson on 31st March 1902 at St. Cyprian's Church, Edge Hill, Liverpool. Barbara sadly passed away December 1910.

The 1911 Census shows Herbert living at 46 Cameron St Liverpool. He is a widower aged 32 and employed as a sample-man in a cotton brokers. He is living with his eight year old son also named Herbert.

Herbert married Annie Ada Billington on 10th June 1914 also at St Cyprian's Church, Edge Hill, Liverpool.

He enlisted in Liverpool and was serving with the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 48040 when he was killed in action, aged 39.

His date of death is shown on CWGC headstone as 23rd April 1917 whilst the SDGW have the date of death as 22nd April 1917.

He was reported killed in the local newspaper on 01st June 1917.

Herbert is buried at Plot 72 Cherisy Road East Cemetery, Heninel. He shares the headstone with John Lancaster of the 16th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment. John is buried at Plot 71. As there are two names on the headstone there is no room for a Cross.

Herbert's headstone bears the epitaph:

"ALWAYS REMEMBERED"

The village of Heninel was captured in a snowstorm on 12 April 1917 by the 56th (London) and 21st Division. The 50th (Northumbrian) Division, advancing from Heninel on the two following days, captured Wancourt Tower. Cherisy Road East Cemetery was made by the 30th and 33rd Division Burial Officers in April 1917. The cemetery contains 82 First World War burials, 19 of which are unidentified.

Soldiers Effects and pension to widow Annie Ada at 63 Leinster Road, Old Swan, Luverpool.

His widow Annie remarried to Ernest Shaw in June 1919.

Herbert is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 9 Left

Cotton Association, Walker House, Exchange Flags, Liverpool

We currently have no further information on Herbert Cook, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Pte 57916 Charles William Cooper

From: London
K.I.A (109 Years this day)
Monday 23rd April 1917.
24 years old

Charles William was born in 1893 the son of Morris and Elizabeth Cooper of 34 Great Queen Street, Kingsway, London.

He enlisted in London joining the London Divisional Cyclist Company as Private 614 before he was transferred to the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 57916.

Chares was killed in action on 23/04/1917 aged 24.

Altogether the Battalion’s losses were four officers and one hundred and one other ranks, killed, wounded or missing.

Charles was one of those killed. his body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as his name is recorded on the Arras Memorial in France.

The ARRAS MEMORIAL commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918, the eve of the Advance to Victory, and have no known grave. The most conspicuous events of this period were the Arras offensive of April-May 1917, and the German attack in the spring of 1918. Canadian and Australian servicemen killed in these operations are commemorated by memorials at Vimy and Villers-Bretonneux. A separate memorial remembers those killed in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. Both cemetery and memorial were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with sculpture by Sir William Reid Dick. The memorial was unveiled by Lord Trenchard, Marshal of the Royal Air Force on the 31 July 1932 (originally it had been scheduled for 15 May, but due to the sudden death of French President Doumer, as a mark of respect, the ceremony was postponed until July).

We currently have no further information on Charles William Cooper, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Pte 53100 Ernest Ephraim Evans
Ernest Ephraim Evans

From: Croyden
K.I.A (109 Years this day)
Monday 23rd April 1917.
22 years old

Ernest Ephraim was born in Croyden on the 26th June, 1894 and was the son of Ephraim William Evans and his wife Edith Draper Evans (nee Coles). He was baptised at St James' Church, Croyden Common on 30th September 1894. The baptismal records show that the family were living at 104 Pawsons Road, Croyden and his father was employed as a labourer.

Ernest enlisted in Hendon joining the East Surrey Regiment as Private 20501 before transferring to the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 53100.

He was killed in action on 23rd April 1917, aged 22.

Altogether the Battalion’s losses were four officers and one hundred and one other ranks, killed, wounded or missing.

Ernest was one of those killed. His body was not recovered from the battlefield or was susbsequently lost as his name is recorded on the Arras Memorial in France.

The ARRAS MEMORIAL commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918, the eve of the Advance to Victory, and have no known grave. The most conspicuous events of this period were the Arras offensive of April-May 1917, and the German attack in the spring of 1918. Canadian and Australian servicemen killed in these operations are commemorated by memorials at Vimy and Villers-Bretonneux. A separate memorial remembers those killed in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. Both cemetery and memorial were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with sculpture by Sir William Reid Dick. The memorial was unveiled by Lord Trenchard, Marshal of the Royal Air Force on the 31 July 1932 (originally it had been scheduled for 15 May, but due to the sudden death of French President Doumer, as a mark of respect, the ceremony was postponed until July).

We currently have no further information on Ernest Ephraim Evans. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Pte 56724 William Alfred Hignett

From: Liverpool
K.I.A (109 Years this day)
Monday 23rd April 1917.
30 years old

William Alfred was born in Liverpool in the December quarter of 1886, the son of John Hignett and his wife Martha Newton (nee Allmark) who were married 4/11/1883 at St Simon’s, Liverpool.

1891 Census - 5 Celt Street, West Derby - Parents with children Margaret and William A.

1901 Census - 15 Thomson Street, Everton - Parents with Margaret and William A (plumber)

William Alfred married Mary Mernock on 01st May 1910 at St Crysostum Church, Everton when he was 23 years old and living at 84 Kilshaw Street.

By the time of the 1911 Census William was living with his wife and new born daughter Margaret at 47 Cambria Street, Liverpool. He was employed as a dock man for a fruit merchant. The couple went on to have two sons, William and John.

He enlisted in the City, and was serving with the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 56724 when he was killed in action, aged 30.

Altogether the Battalion’s losses were four officers and one hundred and one other ranks, killed, wounded or missing.

William was one of those killed. His body was not recovered from the battlefield or his grave was subsequently lost as his name is recorded on the Arras Memorial in France.

The ARRAS MEMORIAL commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918, the eve of the Advance to Victory, and have no known grave. The most conspicuous events of this period were the Arras offensive of April-May 1917, and the German attack in the spring of 1918. Canadian and Australian servicemen killed in these operations are commemorated by memorials at Vimy and Villers-Bretonneux. A separate memorial remembers those killed in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. Both cemetery and memorial were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with sculpture by Sir William Reid Dick. The memorial was unveiled by Lord Trenchard, Marshal of the Royal Air Force on the 31 July 1932 (originally it had been scheduled for 15 May, but due to the sudden death of French President Doumer, as a mark of respect, the ceremony was postponed until July).

His children were aged 7, 4 and 2 years of age when William was killed.

William is commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance in Liverpool Town Hall at Panel 59.

We currently have no further information on William Alfred Hignett. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Pte 57713 John Hodgkinson

From: Beeston, Notts
K.I.A (109 Years this day)
Monday 23rd April 1917.
20 years old

John Hodgkinson was born in Beeston in 1896, the only surviving child of John and Mary (née Oldham) Hodgkinson. His father John senior was well known in Beeston as 'Johnnie Sweep' as he was, like his father before him, a chimney sweep. By 1911 he was living almost next door to the chapel. By this time, William junior, now 14, had found work as 'page boy' - that is, a young male servant.

He enlisted in Nottingham and was formerly 15663 Army Cyclist Corps and was serving with the 18th Battalion, Kings (Liverpool) Regiment as Private No 57713 when he was killed in action on the 9^th April 1917 aged 20 during the Battle of Arras.

Altogether the Battalion’s losses were four officers and one hundred and one other ranks, killed, wounded or missing.

John's body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

The ARRAS MEMORIAL commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918, the eve of the Advance to Victory, and have no known grave. The most conspicuous events of this period were the Arras offensive of April-May 1917, and the German attack in the spring of 1918. Canadian and Australian servicemen killed in these operations are commemorated by memorials at Vimy and Villers-Bretonneux. A separate memorial remembers those killed in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. Both cemetery and memorial were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with sculpture by Sir William Reid Dick. The memorial was unveiled by Lord Trenchard, Marshal of the Royal Air Force on the 31 July 1932 (originally it had been scheduled for 15 May, but due to the sudden death of French President Doumer, as a mark of respect, the ceremony was postponed until July).

He was posthumously awarded the Victory Medal and the British Medal. and his Army financial effects of £2 7s 8d were paid to his mother, on the 7th November 1917 and she received his War Gratuity of £6 on 11 October 1919.

He is also commemorated on the Beeston War Memmorial, Nottinghamshire.

We currently have no further information on John Hodgkinson, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Pte 17602 William Alfred Hollis
William Alfred Hollis

From: Eastham, Cheshire
K.I.A (109 Years this day)
Monday 23rd April 1917.
19 years old

William Alfred was born on the 17th June 1897 in Eastham, Cheshire the son of William Hollis and his wife Mary Ann (nee Leedham) who were married in 1895 at St Peter's Church, Yoxall. He was baptised on the 12th AUgust 1897 in Yoxhall, Staffordshire.

1901 Census - Lock Cottages, Eastham - William and Mary A with children William A and John H. (William Senior is a Lock Gateman).

1911 Census - The Green, Eastham - William Alfred is with Louisa Hollis and her sister Mary Hollis, he is their nephew.

1911 Census - Eastham Lock Cottages - Parents Willam and Mary Ann with children John Hector, Mary Gertrude and Florence Josephine.

William enlisted in Liverpool joining the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 17602.

Formed on 07^th September 1914 the 19^th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

At some point he was transferred to the 18th Battalion and was killed in action on 23rd April 1917, aged 19.

Altogether the Battalion’s losses were four officers and one hundred and one other ranks, killed, wounded or missing.

William's body was not recovered from the battlefield or was subsequently lost as his name is recorded on the Arras Memorial in France.

The ARRAS MEMORIAL commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918, the eve of the Advance to Victory, and have no known grave. The most conspicuous events of this period were the Arras offensive of April-May 1917, and the German attack in the spring of 1918. Canadian and Australian servicemen killed in these operations are commemorated by memorials at Vimy and Villers-Bretonneux. A separate memorial remembers those killed in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. Both cemetery and memorial were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with sculpture by Sir William Reid Dick. The memorial was unveiled by Lord Trenchard, Marshal of the Royal Air Force on the 31 July 1932 (originally it had been scheduled for 15 May, but due to the sudden death of French President Doumer, as a mark of respect, the ceremony was postponed until July).

He is also commemorated on the Eastham War Memorial.

His parents were living in Hadley End, Yoxall, Burton on Trent when they registered their details with the CWGC.

We currently have no further information on William Alfred Hollis. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Sgt 25114 John Reginald Hughes

From: Longsight, Manchester
K.I.A (109 Years this day)
Monday 23rd April 1917.
26 years old

John Reginald was born Chorlton in the March quarter of 1891 the son of William Benjamin Hughes and his wife Maria (nee Booth) who married in Chorlton in the December quarter of 1885.

He married Florence Jane Layfield in 1913 and was the father of Gwendoline.

He was serving with the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Serjeant 25114 when he was killed in action on 23/04/1917, aged 26.

Altogether the Battalion’s losses were four officers and one hundred and one other ranks, killed, wounded or missing.

John was one of the other ranks referred to in the Battalion diary as killed.

His body was not recovered from the battlefield or was subsequently lost, as his name is recorded on the Arras Memorial in France.

The ARRAS MEMORIAL commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918, the eve of the Advance to Victory, and have no known grave. The most conspicuous events of this period were the Arras offensive of April-May 1917, and the German attack in the spring of 1918. Canadian and Australian servicemen killed in these operations are commemorated by memorials at Vimy and Villers-Bretonneux. A separate memorial remembers those killed in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. Both cemetery and memorial were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with sculpture by Sir William Reid Dick. The memorial was unveiled by Lord Trenchard, Marshal of the Royal Air Force on the 31 July 1932 (originally it had been scheduled for 15 May, but due to the sudden death of French President Doumer, as a mark of respect, the ceremony was postponed until July).

We currently have no further information on John Reginald Hughes. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

C.S.M 17060 John Daniel Jones

From: Liverpool
K.I.A (109 Years this day)
Monday 23rd April 1917.
29 years old

John Daniel Jones was born in the June quarter of 1888 in Liverpool, the son of Daniel Jones and his wife Elizabeth (née Manson). His birth was registered as simply John Jones, with no middle name. His parents, both from Liverpool, had married on the 19th March 1882 at St Mary’s Church, Walton. Daniel was a labourer of Kirkdale, father Robert a labourer, whilst Elizabeth was also of Kirkdale, father James an iron moulder. Their first born child, Daniel, died in infancy. John was the second of seven surviving children; his siblings were Thomas, James, Elizabeth, Margaret, Richard, and Robert.

In 1891 the family is living at 5 Thetis Street in Kirkdale, Liverpool. His father Daniel is aged 30, a manual labourer, mother Elizabeth is aged 28, children Thomas 6, a scholar, John 3, and James D. 9 months.

In 1901 the family is living at 6 Romeo Street (one of the ‘Shakespeare’ Streets) in Kirkdale, Liverpool. His father, Daniel, is aged 35, a boiler maker, mother, Elizabeth, is aged 34, Thomas, 16, a boiler makers apprentice, John, 13, is a butcher’s boy, James 11, Elizabeth 8, Margaret 5, and Richard 3.

His father died, aged 39, on the 29th July 1904 at the Northern Hospital, when John was 15 and the youngest child was not yet two. His father's address is Gwladys Street, occupation rivetter; he left £20 to his widow.

In 1911 his mother is with his brothers James, Richard, and Robert, at 86 Goodison Road, Liverpool. There is a John Jones, of the right age, 23, boarding with Thomas and Margaret Jones and their two children, at 24 Kipling Street, Bootle. He is employed as a bookkeeper in shipping.

John, using the middle name Daniel, enlisted in Liverpool on 31st August 1914 as Private 17060, 18th Battalion, K.L.R. He gives his age as 26 years and 150 days; occupation clerk. He was described as being of fresh complexion, 5’ 8 and three quarter inches tall, weighing 129 lbs, 36” chest, with grey eyes and dark brown hair. He stated his religion as Church of England and next of kin as his mother Elizabeth, at 87 Goodison Road.

John was appointed Lance Corporal on 01st December 1914 and promoted to Corporal on 07th April 1915.

A note dated 08th April 1915 in his record states that any casualty or promotion should be notified to the Board of Trade, Queen Anne’s Chambers, Westminster, London.

He was appointed Lance Sergeant on 27th May 1915 and promoted to Sergeant on 30th October 1915.

Shortly afterwards, John disembarked in France with his battalion, on 07th November 1915, was promoted Warrant Officer Class II and appointed CQMS on 08th January 1916. He was granted Professional Pay Class I on 31st August 1916.

On 22nd November 1916 he was appointed CSM and posted to no.2 company to replace CSM Thomas Lloyd Jones who had been killed in action on 18th October 1916.

He was on leave to the U.K from 30th November 1916 to 13th December 1916 and after his return to the battalion he attended 3^rd Army Infantry School from 31st December 1916 until 03rd February 1917.

John was killed in action on 23^rd April 1917, aged 29.

Altogether the Battalion’s losses were four officers and one hundred and one other ranks, killed, wounded or missing.

John now rests at Rookery British Cemetery, Heninel, France.

Heninel village was captured in a snowstorm on 12 April 1917 by the 56th (London) and 21st Division and the 50th (Northumbrian) Division, advancing from Heninel on the two following days, captured Wancourt Tower. Rookery British Cemetery (named from a group of trenches) was made by the 18th and 50th Division Burial Officers in April-June 1917 and used until November 1917. Two further burials were made in August 1918. The cemetery contains 55 First World War burials, one of which is unidentified.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Weekly Courier on Saturday 02 June 1917:

FALLEN HEROES.

Coy-Sergt-Major J. D. Jones, K.L.R., aged 28, killed in action on April 23rd, was the second son of Mrs Jones of 86 Goodison Road. He had been out since the early part of 1916. He was employed before the war at the Board of Trade offices.

Soldiers Effects, Army Pay of £11 14s 2d shared by his mother and siblings, she also received a £19 War Gratuity. The pensions of John and Richard amounted to 10/- pw for their mother.

On the first anniversary of his death, his family placed an In Memoriam notice in the Liverpool Echo on 23rd April 1918:

“In loving memory of our Brother, Company Sergeant-Major John D. Jones (Pals), killed in action April 23, 1917.

He nobly rose to his country’s call,

He gave his life, his best, his all.

- Never forgotten by Mother, Richard (in France), Cissie, and Brother-in-law Jim.”

His mother signed for his medals on 22nd June 1920 and 24th September 1921.

John’s younger brother, L/Cpl Richard Jones, 9th Battalion, K.L.R. who featured in the tribute to his brother, sadly died of wounds on 01st October 1918. He was 21. Richard now rests in the Sunken Road Cemetery, Pas de Calais.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Evening Express on Wednesday 01 October 1919:

JONES – In loving memory of my dear son, Lance Corporal R. Jones, 2/9th K.L.R., killed in action, Oct 1, 1918. From his loving mother 86 Goodison Road, Walton.

On the 1921 Census at 86 Goodison Road, mother Elizabeth is aged 59 and living with son Robert, 19. She lives there until 1927 when the occupants are Thomas and Margaret Butler.

John Daniel and his brother Richard are commemorated on the Memorial at St Luke's Church, Walton.

John Daniel is also commemorated on the Board of Trade Labour Department (North West Division) Caxton House, London.

We currently have no further information on John Daniel Jones. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Pte 54140 Henry Edward McGarry
Henry Edward McGarry

From: Peel, I.O.M
K.I.A (109 Years this day)
Monday 23rd April 1917.
31 years old

Henry Edward was born in Peel, Isle of Man on 16th June 1886, the eldest son of of Henry Edward and Maretta Quilliam McGarry who married on 24th August 1886 and had seven children, one of whom died young. Henry had younger sisters Sarah Ann, Susan, and Emily, and younger brothers John and James.

On official records as well as in newspaper notices, the surname is spelt McGeary as well as McGarry. His father was known as Edward, and his mother’s first name is transcribed a number of different ways.

At the time of the 1891 census his mother (Annetta), 26, listed as daughter, Henry, 4, and Sarah Ann, six months old, are living with Mary Fitzpatrick, 66, single, born in Ireland, and two lodgers, at 34 Douglas Street, Peel. Her husband is not found on the census.

By 1901 the family is living at 9 Christian Street, Peel. His father is 40, a labourer, his mother Meritta is 29, Edward H. is 14, Sarah 8, John 5, and Susan 3.

In October 1906, Edward Henry McGarry was charged with being drunk and disorderly, and fighting with his father. He had been found guilty of a previous offense in June, and was fined 5/- and costs. Multiple notices appear in the local newspapers for his father on charges of drunkenness and child truancy.

In 1910 his father Edward McGarry, a mason’s labourer employed by William Cowell, fell 22’ on a building site. He sued his employer for £35.

In 1911 the family (McGarey) is found in Keowns Lane, Peel. His father is 54, a mason’s labourer, his mother Maita is 40. Henry, 24, is a general labourer, John 18, is a sailor, Susan, 15, and Emily, 8, are at school, and James is 4.

His father died before May 1915.

In January 1916 conscription was introduced. Henry had received a conditional exemption in late July 1916 from the local Military Service Tribunal. Men could apply for an exemption on the grounds of their doing work of national importance, business or domestic hardship, medical unfitness, or conscientious objection. Nationwide, by the end of June 1916, 748,587 men had applied to tribunals. Over the same period around 770,000 men joined the Army. Exemptions were usually temporary (between a few weeks and six months) or conditional on their situation at work or home remaining serious enough to warrant their retention at home.

The military authorities appealed against his exemption, and the case of Henry McGeary, carter, aged 30, of Jib Lane, Peel, came before the Tribunal on 5th August 1916. The military authorities claimed that his application for exemption should not have been heard as other men ineligible for military service were available to fill his position.

His employer, James Curphey, explained that he employed six men and a lad, and in addition to contracting carting work from the Peel town commissioners, he carted the mails to Knockaloe (the alien internment camp just south of Peel), sometimes 20 loads a day. He stated it was impossible to get other help and when asked why aliens, under guard, could not fill the positions, Curphey stated that thousands of pounds were often carried in the mail and the aliens could not be trusted. Despite his employer’s petition, Henry lost his exemption, “the tribunal thought the man should go to the army.”

It is assumed that Henry was conscripted soon after this date, and after enlisting in Liverpool and training in the U.K., went to France likely in early 1917.

He was serving with the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment when he was killed in action on 23rd April 1917, aged 30.

Altogether the Battalion’s losses were four officers and one hundred and one other ranks, killed, wounded or missing.

Henry was buried close to where he fell and after the war, when graves were concentrated, his body was removed and reinterred in Wancourt British Cemetery, about 5 miles southeast of Arras, where he now rests.

Wancourt was captured on 12 April 1917 after very heavy fighting and the advance was continued on the following days. The cemetery, called at first Cojeul Valley Cemetery, or River Road Cemetery, was opened about ten days later; it was used until October 1918, but was in German hands from March 1918 until 26 August, when the Canadian Corps recaptured Wancourt. At the Armistice, the cemetery contained 410 graves, but was very greatly increased in the following years when graves were brought in from the following small cemeteries and isolated positions on the battlefields south-east of Arras including HENIN-SUR-COJEUL, about 800 metres North of the village, contained the graves of 29 British soldiers who fell on 9 April 1917, almost all of whom belonged to the 2nd Wilts or the 18th King's Liverpools. The cemetery now contains 1,936 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 829 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to 76 casualties known or believed to be buried among them, and to 20 who were buried in Signal Trench Cemetery whose graves were destroyed in later battles. The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

According to his birth record, Henry would have been 30 years old, but a Manx memorial site commemorating the seven Manxmen who died on 23/4/1917, lists his age as 31.

His death was reported in the Peel City Guardian on 19th May 1917:

“Official notification has been received by Mrs. McGeary, that her eldest son, Pte. H. E. McGeary, who was serving in the 18th King’s Liverpool Reg’t., was killed in action in France on April 23rd. Mrs. McGeary also received a letter of sympathy from the King. The deceased was well-known in Peel. He was a keen footballer, and very frequently played in the Peel football team. He was very good to his widowed mother, who will greatly miss him.”

His Army effects and a War Gratuity of £3 went to his mother. The pension card shows two claimants, but no amount specified: his mother Maria, 8 Gib Lane, Peel, and Mrs. S. Fargher, Raby Beg (?) Road, Peel, guardian of illegitimate child. The name of the child is not shown on the card.

In August 1917 the local tribunal ruled on the military exemption application of his brother John McGeary, 22, of 8 Jib Lane, a coal heaver who worked discharging and loading boats, in the employ of Mr. T. E. Cashin. His mother made the application, as she could not work owing to a bad leg. John was the sole support of his widowed mother and two young children ages 13 and 10. Another son had died in the war. He was granted a conditional exemption.

Henry Edward is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Peel, Isle of Man

The Manx National Memorial, St Johns, Isle of Man

St. German Cathedral Cross, Peel

St. German Cathedral Roll of Honour, Peel.

We currently have no further information on Henry Edward McGarry. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Pte 17422 Frederick Moxley

From: Birkenhead, Cheshire
K.I.A (109 Years this day)
Monday 23rd April 1917.

Frederick Moxley was born in Birkenhead in 1894 the son of Edward Moxley and his wife Mary. He had 4 brothers; Edward, Wilmot, Samuel and Alfred Septimus.

1901 Census - 8 Grosvenor Street, Tranmere - parents Edward and Mary with children Edward, Wilmot, Frederick and Samuel

1911 Census - 35 Craven Street, Birkenhead - widowed father Edward with Frederick and his siblings living with John Smith and Elizabeth (Brother in law and Uncle)

He enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 31st August 1914 joining the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 17422. He gave his age as 19 years 250 days and his occupation as a Clerk. He is described as being 5'5 and three quater inches tall, and weighed 113lbs, being of dark complexion with hazel eyes and dark hair. He gave his next of kin as his father and his mother is noted as deceased.

At Larkhill Camp on 15/10/1915 he was absent from fatigues and was punished with 4 days company fatigues.

His papers show he served in France from 07/11/1915 - 01/08/1916. He was wounded (GSW Left Leg) at Guillemont on 30/07/1916 and returned to the UK whereupon he was admitted to the County of Middlesex War Hospital at Napsbury near St Albans on 02/08/1916. He remained in hospital until 20/12/1916. He was then posted to the 3rd Battalion KLR on 29/12/1916. He returned to France via Folkestone on 21/03/1917, arriving at Boulogne. He was posted to the 1st Battalion on arrival at Etaples on 21/03/1917. He was subsequently posted to the 18th Battalion on 12/04/1917.

Frederick was killed in action with the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment on 23/04/1917, aged 22.

Altogether the Battalion’s losses were four officers and one hundred and one other ranks, killed, wounded or missing.

It wasn't until the 05th May 1917 that it was confirmed that he had been killed on 23rd April.

His body was not recovered from the battlefield and his name is recorded on the Arras Memorial in France.

The ARRAS MEMORIAL commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918, the eve of the Advance to Victory, and have no known grave. The most conspicuous events of this period were the Arras offensive of April-May 1917, and the German attack in the spring of 1918. Canadian and Australian servicemen killed in these operations are commemorated by memorials at Vimy and Villers-Bretonneux. A separate memorial remembers those killed in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. Both cemetery and memorial were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with sculpture by Sir William Reid Dick. The memorial was unveiled by Lord Trenchard, Marshal of the Royal Air Force on the 31 July 1932 (originally it had been scheduled for 15 May, but due to the sudden death of French President Doumer, as a mark of respect, the ceremony was postponed until July).

His personal effects were sent to his father at 35 Craven Street, Birkenhead on 11th September 1917 and included, a notebook, wallet, photo's and cards and various papers. His father also recieved Frederick's medals.

Frederick is commemorated on the Birkenhead War Memorial at Hamilton Square.

We currently have no further information on Frederick Moxley, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Pte 34579 James Ernest Oliver

From: Wallasey
K.I.A (109 Years this day)
Monday 23rd April 1917.
31 years old

James Ernest was born in Birkenhead in the March quarter of 1886 the son of John Oliver and his wife Elizabeth (nee Roberts) who married at St Nicholas Church, Liverpool on 08th April 1871. John was born in Maryport, Cumberland whilst Elizabeth was born in Denbighshire. John was employed as a joiner. He was the youngest of seven children, his siblings were; Harriet, Ada, Bessie, Annie, John and Florence who sadly died aged 1 year.

The 1891 Census shows the family living at 7 Hatherley Street, Seacombe, with his father being away, he was employed as a ships joiner.

By 1901 the family are living at 7 Buchanan Street, Seacombe. James now 15 is employed as a house painter, he lives with his parents and three elder siblings. His father, John, is a 54 year old ships joiner, his mother, Elizabeth, is 52 years of age. They have four children in the household, James' siblings are shown as; Ada, a 27 year old dressmaker, Annie, aged 23, and also a dressmaker, and 20 year old John R. also a house joiner.

The family are still living at 7 Buchanan Street in 1911. James is living with his parents and brother John Roland. His father is now aged 64 and still employed as a ships joiner, his mother is 62 years of age. They have been married for forty years and have had seven children, one of whom has sadly died. They have just two children, still living at home and these are; John Roland a ships joiner and James, now 26 and a house painter.

James enlisted in Liverpool joining the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 34579.

He was killed in action on 23rd April 1917, aged 31.

Altogether the Battalion’s losses were four officers and one hundred and one other ranks, killed, wounded or missing.

James now rests at Cherisy Road East Cemetery, Heninel in France.

The village of Heninel was captured in a snowstorm on 12 April 1917 by the 56th (London) and 21st Division. The 50th (Northumbrian) Division, advancing from Heninel on the two following days, captured Wancourt Tower. Cherisy Road East Cemetery was made by the 30th and 33rd Division Burial Officers in April 1917. The cemetery contains 82 First World War burials, 19 of which are unidentified.

His effects were sent to his sister Harriet Leech.

A newspaper report at the time of his death sheds light on his character:

We regret to announce the death while in action of Pte James Ernest Oliver of The King's Liverpool Regiment, popularly known as "Mick" Oliver the Seacombe comedian. The gallant soldier who had entertained many local audiences with his patter and dancing joined the Army in 1915, and was drafted to France in April of last year. His cheery, buoyant spirit and liberal gift of wit made him the life of his Company and as his Officer testified "he kept the men cheerful under the most trying of circumstances". He was attached to the Lewis Gun Section and had survived many perilous experiences. On May 5th a letter was received by his father, Mr John Oliver, 7 Buchanan Road, Seacombe - who by the way, has been for 40 years in the service of the Wallasey Ferries, and now fills the position of foreman joiner.- stating that his son was killed on 23rd April - St George's Day.

The following letter from the officer of his company speaks eloquently of his services:

"It is with great regret that I write to inform you of the death, in action, of your son on 23rd April. At the time of his death he was standing nobly to his post, facing the enemy, as he always did. His death was absolutely painless and instantaneous, and since the action his body has been carefully buried. He was one of my very best men, always cheerful and making others round him keep cheerful under the most trying of circumstances. He did splendid work on 9th April and was spoken very highly of, by everyone."

The deceased soldier was 31 years of age and was the youngest son. He was apprenticed to Mr Robert Clarke, painter, of Victoria Road, Seacombe but for the last years had been acting as a stevedore's storekeeper.

James is commemorated on the Wallasey Memorial.

We currently have no further information on James Ernest Oliver, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Pte 53120 James Pearce

From: Brentford, Middlesex
K.I.A (109 Years this day)
Monday 23rd April 1917.
20 years old

James was born in the September quarter of 1896 at Brentford, Middlesex. He was the son of Thomas Pearce and his wife Sarah (nee Ware) who married in the March Quarter of 1891 in Brentford.

The 1901 Census finds the family living at 17 Pottery Road, Berntford. James' father is a 33 year old water gas maker, born in Brentford, his mother, Sarah, is 29 years old. They have six children in the household; Thomas C. is 12, Edward is 9, Ellen is 7, James is 5, Albert is 3 and Alice M. is 4 months old.

The 1911 Census shows the family are still living at 17 Pottery Road, Brentford. His father Thomas is aged 43, born 1868, occupation dock labourer, his mother, Sarah, is aged 39 born 1872 in Brentford as were their children. They have been married for twenty one years and have had ten children, seven of whom are in the household; Edward aged 20, born 1891 occupation parcel checker, James aged 15, born 1896 occupation van boy, Albert aged 13, born 1898, John aged 9, born 1902, Lily aged 6, born 1905 are at school, Maria aged 3, born 1908 and William born 1911.

James enlisted in Brentford, originally joining the East Surrey Regiment as Private 15902. He was subsequently transferred to the 18th Battlion of The King's Liverpool Regiment and was killed in action on 23rd April 1917, aged 20.

Altogether the Battalion’s losses were four officers and one hundred and one other ranks, killed, wounded or missing.

His body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as his name is recorded on the Arras Memorial in France.

The ARRAS MEMORIAL commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918, the eve of the Advance to Victory, and have no known grave. The most conspicuous events of this period were the Arras offensive of April-May 1917, and the German attack in the spring of 1918. Canadian and Australian servicemen killed in these operations are commemorated by memorials at Vimy and Villers-Bretonneux. A separate memorial remembers those killed in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. Both cemetery and memorial were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with sculpture by Sir William Reid Dick. The memorial was unveiled by Lord Trenchard, Marshal of the Royal Air Force on the 31 July 1932 (originally it had been scheduled for 15 May, but due to the sudden death of French President Doumer, as a mark of respect, the ceremony was postponed until July).

We currently have no further information on James Pearce, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Pte 27508 William Clarence Rea

From: Liverpool
K.I.A (109 Years this day)
Monday 23rd April 1917.
25 years old

William Clarence was born in Liverpool on 05th February 1892 the son of William Rae and his wife Elizabeth (nee Johnson). His father was born in Liverpool and was a shoemaker, his mother was also born in Liverpool, they married in St. Mary's Church, Walton in 1880. He had seven brothers; James H, Frank, Alfred E, Samuel T, Harold, Albert and Arthur, he also had two sisters Mary C and Flora.

He was enrolled at Arnot Street School, Walton in 1897.

The 1901 Census shows the family are living at 64 Leta Street, Walton. His father William is a 42 year old shoemaker, whilst his mother Elizabeth is 40. They live with their seven children who are shown as; James H. aged 19 and a labourer, Frank aged 15 is a rope maker, Alfred E. is13, Samuel T. is 11, William C. is 9, Harold is 5, and Mary C. 1 (all were born in Liverpool).

By 1911 the family were living at 61 Claudia Street, Walton. William is now 19 years of age and is employed as a Mill Hand. His father William is now shown as aged 55 and boot repairer, his mother Elizabeth is aged 49. they advise that they have been married for 31 years and have had 14 children of whom 9 have survived. His siblings resident at the home are listed as; Frank aged 25 and is a married canvas maker, Alfred E. is a 23 year old tramway conductor, Samuel T. is a 21 year old paper seller, Harold 15 is a bakers boy, Mary C. 11 is at school, Albert E. 9 is at school, Arthur 7 isat school, and Flora is 4.

William married Annie Wilcock, aged 21, at St Polycarp Church, Everton on 07th June 1915. William is described as a Labourer. They had a daughter, named Annie, she was born in the December quarter of 1916 and in all likelihood never met her father.

He enlisted in Liverpool and was serving with the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 27508 when he was killed in action on 23rd April 1917 aged 25.

Altogether the Battalion’s losses were four officers and one hundred and one other ranks, killed, wounded or missing.

His body was not recovered from the battlefield or was subsequently lost as his name is recorded on the Arras Memorial in France.

The ARRAS MEMORIAL commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918, the eve of the Advance to Victory, and have no known grave. The most conspicuous events of this period were the Arras offensive of April-May 1917, and the German attack in the spring of 1918. Canadian and Australian servicemen killed in these operations are commemorated by memorials at Vimy and Villers-Bretonneux. A separate memorial remembers those killed in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. Both cemetery and memorial were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with sculpture by Sir William Reid Dick. The memorial was unveiled by Lord Trenchard, Marshal of the Royal Air Force on the 31 July 1932 (originally it had been scheduled for 15 May, but due to the sudden death of French President Doumer, as a mark of respect, the ceremony was postponed until July).

William is recorded on the War Memorial of J Bibby and Sons, Bootle.

A newspaper report at the time of William's death stated that prior to enlisting he had lived at 76 Conway Street and that he left a widow and one child. His officer is reported as stating that: "His loss is felt by all especially myself".

Soldiers Effects and Pension to widow Annie.

His widow, Annie, was living at 32 Abingdon Road, Walton Hall Avenue, Liverpool when the CWGC placed William's details on file.

His father died in the March quarter of 1922 aged 65.

His mother died in the September quarter of 1938 aged 76.

We currently have no further information on William Clarence Rea, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Pte 57686 William Ewart Sims

From: York
K.I.A (109 Years this day)
Monday 23rd April 1917.
27 years old

William Ewart Sims was born in York on 20th September 1889 the son of Mrs M Sims of 20 Moss Street, York.

He married on 25th August 1913 to Annie Marshall Sims and they had one child.

Prior to joining the Army in June 1916 he was a lithographic artist in the employment of Messrs T Forman and Sons of Nottingham.

He had spent time with the Nottingham Officers Training Corps before enlisting as a Private in the North Midland Division Cyclist Corps. Soon after he was recommended for a commission but at this time the NMD Cyclist Corps was merged into the Army Cyclist Corps and he was transferred to the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 57686.

There he was made a runner and was killed at the Battle of Arras on 23rd April 1917, aged 27. Previous to this his name was sent forward for honours for great bravery on April 9th for successfully carrying messages over shell swept ground, when three others had fallen in the attempt.

Altogether the Battalion’s losses were four officers and one hundred and one other ranks, killed, wounded or missing.

We currently have no further information on William Ewart Sims, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

A/Cpl 57675 Leslie Stray

From: Basford, Nottinghamshire
K.I.A (109 Years this day)
Monday 23rd April 1917.
25 years old

Leslie Stray was born in the summer of 1891 in Basford, Nottinghamshire the son of Horatio Nelson Stray and his wife and Ada (nee Tomlinson) who were both born in Basford, and married there in 1891. Leslie was the first of two children. His sister Ida was born in 1896.

Leslie was the first of two children, his sister Ida was born in 1896.When he was born, his parents were living with his paternal grandparents and his father is a dairyman.

In 1901, his parents and sister Ida, age 5, are living at 11 Radford Road, Hyson Green, Nottinghamshire. Leslie is not found on the census.

In 1905 and 1906 his father is listed in the Nottingham city directory at 25 Betinck Road.

In 1906 his father emigrated to Philadelphia, where he had an uncle. He died there in 1923.

It is not clear what became of his mother, but by the time of the 1911 Census, Leslie is living with his uncle and aunt, Joseph and Ellen Carnill, at 20 Peveril Street, Nottingham. He is 19, and employed as a draper’s assistant. His sister Ida, 15, is living with their maternal grandmother Ann Tomlinson, in Nottingham.

Leslie enlisted in Nottingham, as Private 224, Army Cyclist Corps, and subsequently transferred to 18^th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment. He was serving as Acting Corporal 57675 when he was killed in action on 23rd April, 1917 aged 25.

Altogether the Battalion’s losses were four officers and one hundred and one other ranks, killed, wounded or missing.

Leslie's body was not recovered from the battlefield and his name is recorded on the Arras Memorial in France.

The ARRAS MEMORIAL commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918, the eve of the Advance to Victory, and have no known grave. The most conspicuous events of this period were the Arras offensive of April-May 1917, and the German attack in the spring of 1918. Canadian and Australian servicemen killed in these operations are commemorated by memorials at Vimy and Villers-Bretonneux. A separate memorial remembers those killed in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. Both cemetery and memorial were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with sculpture by Sir William Reid Dick. The memorial was unveiled by Lord Trenchard, Marshal of the Royal Air Force on the 31 July 1932 (originally it had been scheduled for 15 May, but due to the sudden death of French President Doumer, as a mark of respect, the ceremony was postponed until July).

Soldiers’ Effects shows his beneficiary as his married sister Ida Clifford. She went on to have a son, born in 1923 whom she named after Leslie.

We currently have no further information on Leslie Stray, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Pte 16342 William Owen Thomas

From: Liverpool
K.I.A (109 Years this day)
Monday 23rd April 1917.
25 years old

William Owen Thomas was born in July 1891 at Liverpool and was the son of Jenkin and Margaret Thomas, of 15 Bradfield St., Edge Lane, Liverpool.

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 15, Bradfield Street, Liverpool. His father, Jenkin, is aged 40, born in Cardiganshire, Wales in 1861 is a joiner, his mother, Margaret is aged 41, born in 1860, also in Cardiganshire, and has no occupation listed. They have four children at the time of the Census, William Owen aged 9, born 1892, Benjamin aged 7, born 1894, Reece James aged 5, born 1896 and Sarah aged 1, born 1900. Their children were all born in Liverpool.

The 1911 Census shows the family still living at 15, Bradfield Street, Liverpool. His father, Jenkin, is now aged 50 and is still employed as a joiner, his mother, Margaret, is aged 51 and has no occupation listed. They have been married for twenty years and have had four children. All four children are declared on the Census; William Owen aged 19, is a junior clerk, Benjamin aged 17, is an apprentice tailor, Reece James aged 15, is an apprentice joiner and Sarah aged 11 is at school.

William enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 2nd September 1914 and gave his age as 23 years and 23 days, and his occupation as a clerk. He was five feet six inches tall, weighed 114 lbs, 35" chest, fresh complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair. His next of kin was his father Jenkin Thomas of 23 Bradfield St, Edge Lane, Liverpool.

Altogether the Battalion’s losses were four officers and one hundred and one other ranks, killed, wounded or missing.

He now rests at Heninel Communal Cemetery Extension where his headstone bears the epitaph:

“THE MEMORY OF THE JUST IS BLESSED”

Heninel village was captured in a snowstorm on 12 April 1917 by the 56th (London) and 21st Division and the 50th (Northumbrian) Division, advancing from Heninel on the two following days, captured Wancourt Tower. The extension was begun by the 50th Division Burial Officer in April 1917 and was used by fighting units until the following November. Heninel Communal Cemetery Extension contains 140 burials of the First World War, seven of them unidentified.

Soldiers Effects to his father Jenkin, and pension to Jenkin and his mother Margaret.

We currently have no further information on William Owen Thomas, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Pte 16404 Thomas Henshaw Trevitt

From: Liverpool
K.I.A (109 Years this day)
Monday 23rd April 1917.
21 years old

Thomas was born in Liverpool on the 28th July 1895 the son of Thomas Butler Trevitt and his wife Margaret Ada (nee Henshaw) who were married in Toxteth Park in 1891. Both parents were born in Liverpool. Thomas was baptised in St. John the Divine Church, Fairfield on the 09^th October 1895. His parents were then living at 49 Freehold Street, and his father’s occupation is given as master plumber.

Neither the civil registration of his birth nor the baptism record gives a middle name, it appears that he has adopted his mother’s maiden name as a middle name.

Thomas was the second of four children, all boys; his brothers were Ernest, Arthur, and Kenneth.

In 1901 the family is living at 10 Clifton Road, Fairfield, Liverpool.

His father is a 37 year old plumber and painter, his mother is aged 30 and has no occupation listed. Ernest H. is aged 8, Thomas is 5, and Arthur is aged 1. There is a domestic servant in the household, Elizabeth J Webster aged 24.

In 1911 the family have moved and are living at 26 Laurel Road, Fairfield, Liverpool.

His father is now aged 47 and employed as a plumber, his mother is aged 40. They advise that they have been married for 19 years and have had four children. All of their children are in the household; Ernest H. is an 18 year old apprentice plumber, Thomas is 15, at school as is Arthur aged 11, Kenneth H. is aged 3.

Thomas enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool. Joining the 18^th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 16404 on 01^st September 1914. He gave his age as 20 years and 45 days ( when he was actually aged 19) and his occupation as clerk. He was described as being 5’7” tall, weighing 133 lbs, with grey eyes and brown hair. He gave his next of kin, as his father, at 26 Laurel Road, Fairfield, Liverpool.

He arrived in France with his battalion on 07th November 1915.

Thomas would have passed his 21^st birthday in July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme.

His father wrote to the “officer of record” on 5/11/1916: “Dear Sir, Thanks very much for your information re my son. I trust they will see their way to letting him home for a time. Kindly note the change of address.” (His parents were then living at 122 Thomas Lane, Broad Green, Liverpool.) It is not known to what his father is referring; there is no mention in his service record of Thomas being wounded.

Thmas was killed in action on 23/04/1917

Altogether the Battalion’s losses were four officers and one hundred and one other ranks, killed, wounded or missing.

Thomas now rests at Heninel Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

His parents placed a notice in the Liverpool Echo on 07^th May 1917:

“April 23, killed in action, Thomas H., the dearly-loved son of T. B. and M. A. Trevitt, Broadgreen.”

Just over a year later, his father died, age 55.

His older brother Ernest had emigrated to Canada in 1912, and served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

His mother signed for his personal effects on 14/11/1919: 1 Note Case, letters, photographs, 1 cotton bag; and for his medals on 5^th June 1920 and 22^nd September 1921.

Over twenty years later, on 10/12/1937, a firm of Liverpool solicitors wrote to the War Office Records Department urgently requesting the certificate of death of Pte Thomas Henshaw Trevitt, needed to resolve a legal matter.

Thomas is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 36

Liverpool Collegiate School Memorial

St. John the Evangelist church, Knotty Ash.

We currently have no further information on Thomas Henshaw Trevitt, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Pte 16627 Frank Wilson

From: Liverpool
K.I.A (109 Years this day)
Monday 23rd April 1917.
24 years old

Frank was born in late 1892 in Aigburth, Liverpool the son of Thomas Wilson and his wife Agnes (nee Bentham) who married on 2^nd July 1890 in the parish church in Melling, Lancashire. Thomas’ occupation is cow-keeper. Both parents were born in Yorkshire. Frank was the second born and eldest son of nine children: brothers William, Thomas, and John, sisters Jane, Eva, Agnes, Hilda and Lilian. The older children were born in Aigburth, and the family moved to Fazakerley in about 1900, where the younger children were born.

In 1901 the family is living at 50 Peny Bryn, Wrexham, Denbighshire. His father is listed as a bootmaker. They could not have been there long, as all the children were born in Liverpool.

In 1911 the family is living in Long lane, Fazakerley. His father is a farmer. Frank is 18, and employed as a clerk in a cotton office.

Prior to enlisting, Frank was employed by Messrs. Joynson, Bentley, & Co., cotton merchants, Orleans House.

Frank enlisted in Liverpool in the 18^th Bn KLR on 1^st September 1914, as Private 16342, giving his age as 21 years and 320 days, and his occupation as clerk. He is described as being 5’ 4 and a half inches tall, weighing 121lbs, with hazel eyes and dark hair. He gives his next of kin as father Thomas Wilson, of Brookfield House, Long Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool. He gives his religion as Wesleyan.

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain.

While at Grantham, Frank was admitted to Belton Park Military Hospital on 12^th June 1915 with German measles. He spent 10 days in hospital and was discharged on 21^st June.

He went to France with his battalion on 07th November 1915.

Frank was admitted on 09th March 1916 to 22 Field Ambulance with Myalgia. He resumed duty on 14th March 1916.

He was on leave to the U.K. from 3/6/1916- 13/6/1916.

He was awarded a Good Conduct Badge on 1/9/1916 on completion of two years’ service.

Frank was killed in action on 23^rd April 1917.

Altogether the Battalion’s losses were four officers and one hundred and one other ranks, killed, wounded or missing.

Frank now rests at Cherisy Road East Cemetery in Heninel, France.

The village of Heninel was captured in a snowstorm on 12 April 1917 by the 56th (London) and 21st Division. The 50th (Northumbrian) Division, advancing from Heninel on the two following days, captured Wancourt Tower. Cherisy Road East Cemetery was made by the 30th and 33rd Division Burial Officers in April 1917. The cemetery contains 82 First World War burials, 19 of which are unidentified.

His death was announced in the Liverpool Daily Post on 10^th May 1917:

“The death in action has been notified of Private Frank Wilson, son of Mr. Thomas Wilson, of Brookfield House, Fazakerley, and employed by Messrs. Joynson, Bentley, & Co., cotton merchants, Orleans House. He enlisted in the K.L.R. at the beginning of the war, and had been in France over eighteen months. He was well known and respected in cotton circles, and his death is deeply deplored by a large circle of friends.”

His father received his personal effects on 5^th November 1917: 1 cap badge, 2 religious books, 2 photos.

In March 1920 his father, then living at 74 Martin’s Lane, Liscard, Cheshire, wrote stating he had not received his son’s plaque and scroll.

On 10^th January 1921 the Imperial War Graves Commission wrote to Frank’s next of kin at their previous Liverpool address; correspondence was returned marked “Not known”.

Frank is commemorated on the Liverpool Cotton Association Memorial.

We currently have no further information on Frank Wilson, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Pte 32745 Joseph Thomas Roberts
Joseph Thomas Roberts

From: Liverpool
(109 Years this day)
Monday 23rd April 1917.
21 years old

Based on Joseph’s stated age at death (from CWGC), this soldier was the son of Thomas John Roberts and his wife Mary (née Thomas), born in Liverpool in the spring of 1896. He was baptised in St. Philip’s Church on 05th April 1896, his parents, Thomas John and Mary, living at 77 Berwick Street, and his father’s occupation listed as warehouseman.

A civil record exists for his parents’ marriage in 1895. However, on subsequent censuses, his mother is shown as Georgina, and his younger siblings’ births also give the mother’s maiden name as Thomas. It is possible that Joseph’s mother Mary died soon after his birth and his father took another wife (although no marriage record has been found); Georgina was possibly related to Joseph’s mother Mary.

A daughter, Emily Jane, was born in the summer of 1897, mother Georgina née Thomas, her parents living at 120 Priory Grove, father’s occupation fitter; Emily died at age 2 in 1900. Other siblings with mother Georgina, and found on censuses, were William, born 1900, Florence Mary 1901, Eva Jane 1902, David 1905, and Minnie 1909.

In 1901 the family is living at 4 Venmore Street, Everton. His father, 34, is a warehouseman, Georgina is 27, Joseph is 5, William 1, and Florence two months old. Florence appears to have died before the next census.

By 1911 they have moved to 8 Calmet Street, Everton, where his father, 44, is a warehouse porter for a general merchant, Georgina is 36. They state they have been married for 16 years, and three of their eight children have died. Joseph is 15, employed as a library assistant for Liverpool Corporation, William is 11, Eva 8, David 6, and Minnie 2.

Joseph enlisted in Liverpool as Private 32745, joining the 20th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment.

At some point he was transferred to the 1st Battalion K.L.R.

Joseph was killed in action on 23rd April 1917, just after his 21st birthday.

His body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial to the Missing.

Joseph not having a known burial place, his family made enquiries with the British Red Cross on 20th July 1917.

Georgina, living at 11 Leadenhall Street, Everton, Liverpool, received his Army effects, including a War Gratuity of £6. The pension card does not show whether a pension was awarded.

Joseph is commemorated on Liverpool’s Hall of Remembrance, Panel 44 Left.

We currently have no further information on Joseph Thomas Roberts, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Lieut James Keggen Maddrell

From: Rushen IOM
(109 Years this day)
Monday 23rd April 1917.
25 years old

James Keggen Maddrell was born on the 17th June 1891 in Howe, Rushen, Isle of Man as one of seven children

to Isle of Man born baker, James Maddrell and his Isle of Man born wife Catherine Jane (nee Keggen). They were married on the 02nd February 1889 in St Clement's Church in Toxteth Liverpool but returned to the Isle of Man for five years until approximately 1894/5

when their third child, Geoffrey Douglas, was born in Toxteth on the 06th August 1895.

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 329 Park Road, Toxteth, Liverpool. His father, James, is a 35 year old baker, born on the Isle of Man, his mother, Catherine, is aged 34 with no occupation listed. They have four children in the household; James is 9 years old, Marjorie is 7, Douglas is 5, all born on the Isle of Man and Kenneth is 2 years of age and was born in Liverpool. They have five visitors and one servant, Annie Kelly aged 19.

James Keggan went to school in Toxteth and proved successful academically.

In 1905 his younger brother Leslie W. died, aged 1.

The 1911 Census shows the family are still living at 329 Park Road, Toxteth, Liverpool. His father is now 45 years of age and his mother is 44. They advise that they have been married for 22 years and have had seven children, one of whom has died. They have five children declared in the household; James is aged 19 shown as an undergraduate at Liverpool University taking a science degree, Marjorie is 17 years of age, Kenneth is 12, Eric is 5 and Eileen is 1. Also declared in the household is Ann Keggen, described as Mother in Law and is a 73 year old widow, her daughter Jennie Keggen is aged 38 and is a manageress in a business. The family employ a domestic servant, Blanche Lewis aged 36 and there is also a boarder declared Arthur Kelly a 21 year old baker born In Rushen on the Isle of Man.

James graduated with a 1st class honours degree in Mathematics and became a maths teacher at Bootle Secondary School

In 1914 James tried three times to enlist in the Army but was refused each time on medical grounds, as he had a defect of his left eye.

Eventually he successfully enlisted joining the 17th (Pals) Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment on 14 March 1915 as Private 26629. He was commissioned on 01st July 1915 as 2nd Leiutenant was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps. He was sent to France on 05th August 1916 with them.

In October 1916 he was promoted to Lieutenant.

Shortly after the Battle of Arras he was recommended for the position of Machine Gun Instructor at Grantham but he was killed in action on 23 April 1917, aged 25.

James' body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he is commemorated on the Arras Memorial at Bay 10.

The French handed over Arras to Commonwealth forces in the spring of 1916 and the system of tunnels upon which the town is built were used and developed in preparation for the major offensive planned for April 1917.

The Commonwealth section of the FAUBOURG D'AMIENS CEMETERY was begun in March 1916, behind the French military cemetery established earlier. It continued to be used by field ambulances and fighting units until November 1918. The cemetery was enlarged after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the battlefields and from two smaller cemeteries in the vicinity.

The cemetery contains over 2,650 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 10 of which are unidentified. The graves in the French military cemetery were removed after the war to other burial grounds and the land they had occupied was used for the construction of the Arras Memorial and Arras Flying Services Memorial.

The adjacent ARRAS MEMORIAL commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918, the eve of the Advance to Victory, and have no known grave. The most conspicuous events of this period were the Arras offensive of April-May 1917, and the German attack in the spring of 1918. Canadian and Australian servicemen killed in these operations are commemorated by memorials at Vimy and Villers-Bretonneux. A separate memorial remembers those killed in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917.

Both cemetery and memorial were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with sculpture by Sir William Reid Dick. The memorial was unveiled by Lord Trenchard, Marshal of the Royal Air Force on the 31 July 1932 (originally it had been scheduled for 15 May, but due to the sudden death of French President Doumer, as a mark of respect, the ceremony was postponed until July).

James featured in an Obituary in the Isle of Man Examiner Newspaper on 05th May 1917 under the header:

LIEUT. J. KEGGEN MADDRELL KILLED

Lieut J. Keggen Maddrell, Machine Gun Corps, was killed in action, while heroically leading his gun team forward at the Battle of Arras on April 23rd. This gallant and promising young officer was the eldest of three officer sons of Mr James Maddrell of 329 Park Road, Princes-park, Liverpool and formerly of Port St Mary. Lieut J. K. Maddrell in the early days of the war thrice tried unsuccesfully to join the army, bit a defect in his left eye brought about medical rejection on each occasion. Eventually, however, he attained his heart's desire as in March 1915, he was accepted for the Liverpool "Pals" as a private. Two months later he was awarded a commission in the Liverpool Regiment and in August 1915 he was transferred to the Machine Gun Company. A year later he proceeded to France on active service and in October last he was promoted 1st Lieutenant. Shortly before the Battle of Arras he was recommended for the position of machine gun instructor at Grantham and in the ordinary course he would probably have been transferred this month. Lieut. J. K. Maddrell was born at Howe, Port St Mary, 26 years ago and was educated at Park Hill Church School, whence he gained a scholarship to Colquitt-street College. From the latter institution he passed into Liverpool University by means of another scholarship which he won. He graduated B. SC. at the University (1st class honours, mathematics), and when war broke out he was preparing to sot for the degree M. Sc., but abandoned further preparation with a view to joining the army. He was at the time Mathematical Master at Bootle Secondary School. Mr James Maddrell has received letters from several officers who served with his son, expressive of the deep sympathy with him felt by all ranks of the company.

One of these reads as follows:

Dear Mr Maddrell, - The O.C. has written to you conveying the sad news of the death, in the field, of your son, Lieutenant J.K. Maddrell. Permit me also to offer you my condolences on your loss, I happen to be second in command of the company, and was associated with your son for six months. During that time I had a liking for him which amounted to affection. I admired his character, his wholesome life, his gifts. He was a great friend of mine, and i have the recollection of many an interesting and intimate talk with him. He was lawys so bright and cheerful, and his humour was delightful. I often remarked on the cheerfulness with which he went into action. When he marched into the battle of Arras on Easter Day, I gave myself the pleasure of walking for a few minutes.

His parents placed an acknowledgement in the Isle of Man Examiner on 12th May 1917:

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Mr and Mrs James Maddrell and family wish to tender their heartfelt thanks to their numerous friends on the Island who conveyed to them their sympathy in their recent sad bereavement. Will the many kind friends accept appreciative thanks through this medium?

329 Park-road, Liverpool.

His Soldiers Effects Pay Arrears of £83. 14s:3d was sent to his parents with his War Gratuity later.

His two medals the British War Medal and Victory Medal were claimed by his parents and sent to them on the 21st October 1922

His two younger brothers, served in the war; Geoffrey Douglas, was an Officer in the Navy in WW1 whilst Samuel Kenneth was a Lieutenant in the West Riding Regt in WW1. They both survived the war.

James is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 23

Bootle Town Hall

Bootle Secondary School

St Peter's Church, Toxteth

Pte 94199 Arthur Zachariah Evans

From: Trefeglwys, Montgomery
D.O.W (108 Years this day)
Tuesday 23rd April 1918.
19 years old

Arthur Zachariah Evans was born in the March quarter of 1899, in Trefeglwys, Montgomeryshire and was the youngest son of Thomas Evans and his wife Elizabeth (nee Jones). His parents married in about 1880 and had ten children, one of whom died young. Arthur had older sisters Sarah Elizabeth, Mary Phoebe, Hannah Matilda, Priscilla Ann, and Eunice Margaret, and older brothers Thomas Edward, Evan William, and David Jones. His parents were farmers and lived in Geseilfa, Llawryglyn, Trefelglwys. The family spoke both English and Welsh.

The spelling of his middle name varies: Zacharius on his birth registration, Zacharias on the medal roll, and Zachariah on CWGC.

In 1901 his father, 51, is a farmer, employer. His mother is not in the household. Elizabeth 19, is working on the farm as a dairy maid, Mary, aged 18, works in the house, and Thomas, 16, is a wagonner. Hannah is 13, Evan 10, David 6, Priscilla 5, Eunice 4, and Arthur Zacharias 2. Also in the household is grandson John Richard Evans, age 2.

They are at the same address in 1911. His father is 61, and his mother 56. Thomas, 26, Evan 20, and David, 16, are working on the farm. His sisters have no occupation: Hannah, 23, and Priscilla, 15, are “farmer’s daughters”. Eunice, 14, Arthur is 12, and grandson John, 12, are at school.

Arthur enlisted in Welshpool, Montgomery and originally served as Private 59842, with the Cheshire Regiment. The amount of the War Gratuity suggests that Arthur served for just over a year, enlisting in about March 1917, when he would have just turned 18.

Following a transfer he was serving in the 17^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 94199 when he died of wounds on the 23rd April 1918, aged 19, during the German Spring Offensive.

He now rests at Boulogne East Cemetery, France where his headstone bears the epitaph:

MEWN ANGHOF NI CHAIFF FOD” (We will not forget them)

Boulogne, was one of the three base ports most extensively used by the Commonwealth armies on the Western Front throughout the First World War. It was closed and cleared on the 27 August 1914 when the Allies were forced to fall back ahead of the German advance, but was opened again in October and from that month to the end of the war, Boulogne and Wimereux formed one of the chief hospital areas.

Until June 1918, the dead from the hospitals at Boulogne itself were buried in the Cimetiere de L'Est, one of the town cemeteries, the Commonwealth graves forming a long, narrow strip along the right hand edge of the cemetery. In the spring of 1918, it was found that space was running short in the Eastern Cemetery in spite of repeated extensions to the south, and the site of the new cemetery at Terlincthun was chosen.

During the Second World War, hospitals were again posted to Boulogne for a short time in May 1940. The town was taken by the Germans at the end of that month and remained in their hands until recaptured by the Canadians on 22 September 1944.

Boulogne Eastern Cemetery contains 5,577 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 224 from the Second World War.

The Commonwealth plots were designed by Charles Holden.

His Army effects and a War Gratuity of £3-10s went to his father. A pension card has not been found.

Arthur is also remembered on the following Memorials:

Llanidloes War Memorial

Trefeglwys Memorial.

We currently have no further information on Arthur Zachariah Evans, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Pte 300299 William Henry Jones

From: Birkenhead, Cheshire
D.O.W (108 Years this day)
Tuesday 23rd April 1918.
27 years old

William Henry was born in 1891 in Birkenhead and was the son of William Jones and his wife Mary (nee Bellis).His father was born in New Brighton, and his mother in Chester, both born in 1860. They married in Birkenhead in 1884 and had seven children. Billy had older siblings Edward (Ted), Anne, and Laura, and younger siblings, Elizabeth, Thomas, and Lillian.

1891 finds them at 34 Mornington Street, Birkenhead. His mother Mary, 30, listed as wife of coachman, is head of household, with four children. His father is “absent”, Billy is 10 months old.

In 1901 they are living in the domestic coachman’s house, 58 Grosvenor Road, Birkenhead, with six children. His father is the coachman, Billy is 10.

In 1911 Billy is living with four of his siblings at 12 Claughton Firs, Oxton. His brother Edward, 26, is head of household, and is a domestic groom. Anne, 24, and Laura, 22, are waitresses. (Laura will marry Pal 300246 Harry Carl Evans, 18th Bn in 1918 and be widowed six weeks later.) William, 20, is also a groom, and Thomas, 15, is an errand boy. They have a boarder, 19 year old groom, Charles Jelico. Billy’s parents, both 50, are living in the coachman’s lodge, Cathcart (stables), Claughton, Birkenhead, with daughters Elizabeth and Lillian.

He enlisted in Prescot, Knowsley and was formerly 1099, Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry and was transferred to the 18^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 300299.

Billy married Annie Nelson in 1915. He arrived in France on 1st September 1915.

Billy and his brother-in-law Harry Carl Evans both served in the Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry and were transferred to the 18th Bn King’s Liverpool Regiment. Billy was wounded in action in the first week of the German Spring Offensive, when Harry was killed in action. Billy died of his wounds on 23rd April 1918, aged 27..

He now lies in Tourgeville Military Cemetery, France. The Inscription on his headstone reads:

“DEARER TO MEMORY THAN WORDS CAN TELL”

The 14th Convalescent Depot was at Trouville in October 1917 and the Trouville Hospital Area - which later comprised the 72nd, 73rd and 74th General Hospitals, and the 13th, 14th and 15th Convalescent Depots - was established in February 1918.

Tourgeville Military Cemetery contains 210 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 13 from the Second World War. There are also 90 German graves and two non war burials.

The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

His death was announced in the Birkenhead News on 4th May 1918:

“Official news has been received by Mr. and Mrs. Jones, Cathcart Stables, Grosvenor Road, and 12 Claughton Firs, Oxton, that their second son, Pte. W. H. Jones, K.L.R., died of wounds in France on April 23rd. He was wounded during the recent big defensive (March 27th). Pte. W. H. Jones joined the Lancashire Hussars in September 1914. He was sent to France and attached to the North Somerset Yeomanry and took part in the Battle of Loos. Then he returned to England to his old regiment, the Lancashire Hussars, and was drafted to Egypt and then to France, where recently he was attached to the K.L.R. and volunteered as stretcher bearer. Much sympathy is felt with his wife, parents and family in their great loss.”

Billy earned his three medals. His widow Annie received his Army effects, including a War Gratuity of £17 and a pension of 13/9d a week.

In 1939 his parents are living on the Wirral with daughters Annie and Elizabeth. His father is a garage proprietor.

Annie Jones, 46, a widow of the right birthdate, is living at 65 Devonshire Road, Birkenhead. It is not known when Annie died.

His father died in 1948 and his mother in 1951.

Billy is also commemorated on the Birkenhead War Memorial, Hamilton Square.

We currently have no further information on William Henry Jones. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Liverpool Pals Who Died on This Day

Killed On This Day.