Cpl 15774 James Alexander Handley

• Age: 24
• From: Runcorn, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Sunday 30th July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

James Alexander Handley (known as Alec) was born in October or November 1891 in Runcorn, Cheshire, the youngest son of the Thomas Handley J.P of Runcorn, Cheshire and his wife Jessie Anne (nee Littler). His parents were both born in Cheshire, his father in Runcorn and his mother in Northwich. Thomas had previously been married in 1871  to Emily Brookes, the couple had a son Thomas Brookes. After the death of Emily, in 1873 aged just 24, Thomas married Jessie Littler in 1879. They had five children: Arthur, twins Florence Emily and Alice Maud, Frank Wilson, and James, all born in Runcorn.

At the time of the 1891 census just before James was born, the family lived at Ferncliffe, Weston Road. Living with Thomas and Jessie were Thomas aged 19 (the son of his first marriage), Arthur aged 10, twins Florence and Alice aged 9 and Frank aged 5.

James’s father Thomas, who died in 1895 at the age of 48, was a well known employer trading as an iron merchant and ironmonger in Runcorn and Widnes. Thomas was very much a pillar of the Runcorn community as witnessed by the many eulogies in the local newspapers of the time. As well as being a J.P. amongst his many involvements over the years were : Chair of Finance Committee of Widnes Local Borough Council, member of the Runcorn School Board’s Attendance Committee, Chair of Runcorn Burial Board, member of Runcorn Board of Guardians and Vice President of Runcorn Musical Society. He was a staunch Liberal and a Deacon in the Congregationalist Church.

By the time of the 1901 Census Jessie, 42, is a widow living on her own means, now living at Beaconhurst which is just a few doors away from her last address. Living with her are the twins Florence and Alice aged 19, Frank 15, and 9 year old James who was only 4 when his father died.

Half-brother Thomas is living with his cousin in Runcorn and working as a banker's clerk (he became a bank manager).

James attended Runcorn Institute School, which became Runcorn Institute County Secondary School, and then Helsby High School.

The 1911 Census finds 19 year old James living as a boarder with a family at 32 Elm Grove in Tranmere. He is an apprentice marine fitter.

His mother, 52, is still at Beaconhurst living on private means, with Emily, 29, no occupation listed, and Frank, 25, a shop assistant. Alice is married and living in Runcorn with her husband and baby son. Arthur had emigrated to South Africa.

Before enlisting he worked for Cammell Laird shipbuilders in Birkenhead.

Alec enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 31st August 1914, joining the 17th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private 15774. He gave his age as 22 years and 300 days and his occupation as an engineer. He was described as being five feet eight and three quarter inches tall and weighed 162lbs,  with a 36” chest. He was of sallow complexion with hazel eyes and brown hair. He had false teeth and a hernia operation scar on his left groin. He stated his relgion as Baptist/Congregationalist and gave his mother Jessie as his next of kin at Beaconhurst, Runcorn.

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th 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. 

28.5.15: Appointed unpaid Lance Corporal.

07.11.15: Embarked for France with his battalion.

04.3.16: Appointed paid Lance Corporal.

15.7.16: Appointed acting Corporal.

He was killed in action on the 30th July 1916, aged 24, at the village of Guillemont, France, during the Somme Offensive. He had qualified as a machine gunner.

17th Battalion Diary 

The Battalion was in support to 19 & 20 Battalions K.L.R. 2 Coys. behind 19th & 2 Coys. behind 20th. Very thick mist. The attack was pushed home to the objective in places but in the main was held up by machine gun fire from hidden machine guns.

Fighting continued all day swaying backwards and forwards until by 6pm about 300 yards in depth had been gained & consolidated all along our front.

Casualties in the 17th Battalion were 15 Officers and 281 Other Ranks

Further details are reported in more detailed by Everard Wyrall in his book The History of the King’s Regiment (Liverpool) 1914-1919 Volume II 1916-1917

The 17th King’s had advanced (two companies each behind the 19th and 20th Battalions) in small columns. They too suffered heavily from machine-gun fire and were quickly absorbed into the waves that preceded them. They also shared the gains and losses of that terrible day.

When darkness fell on the battlefield the 30th Division held a line from the railway on the eastern side of Trones Wood , southwards and including Arrow Head Copse, to east of Maltz Horn Farm. On this line the division was relieved by the 55th Division during the early hours of the 31st July. 

The events of 30th July 1916 were regarded at the time as Liverpool’s blackest day. There follows an extract from The History of the 89th Brigade written by Brigadier General Ferdinand Stanley which gives an indication of the events of the day.

Guillemont

Well the hour to advance came, and of all bad luck in the world it was a thick fog; so thick that you couldn’t see more than about ten yards. It was next to impossible to delay the attack – it was much too big an operation- so forward they had to go. It will give some idea when I say that on one flank we had to go 1,750 yards over big rolling country. Everyone knows what it is like to cross enclosed country which you know really well in a fog and how easy it is to lose your way. Therefore, imagine these rolling hills, with no landmarks and absolutely unknown to anyone. Is it surprising that people lost their way and lost touch with those next to them? As a matter of fact, it was wonderful the way in which many men found their way right to the place we wanted to get to. But as a connected attack it was impossible.

The fog was intense it was practically impossible to keep direction and parties got split up. Owing to the heavy shelling all the Bosches had left their main trenches and were lying out in the open with snipers and machine guns in shell holes, so of course our fellows were the most easy prey.

It is so awfully sad now going about and finding so many splendid fellows gone.       

His name appeared in the list of K.L.R. Missing published in the Liverpool Daily Post on 14th September 1916.

Eleven months after he was reported Missing, his mother was informed that Alec had been presumed, for official purposes, killed on or since 30th July 1916, placing a notice in the Liverpool Echo on 02nd July 1917:

"Missing since July 30, 1916, now officially presumed killed, Corporal James A. Handley (Alec), K.L.R., dearly-loved youngest son of the late Thomas Handley, J.P., of Runcorn, and Mrs. Handley, Kippford, Dalbeattie, Scotland. (A brave soldier who stayed alone with his machine gun to cover his comrades.)"

The Runcorn Guardian published more details the next day:

"Corporal James A. Handley, son of the late Mr. Thomas Handley, of Runcorn, and Mrs. Handley, formerly of Beaconhurst, Runcorn, and now of Kippford, Scotland, was reported missing in these columns a year ago.  It is now practically certain that he has been killed, and we publish, for the first time, the heroic circumstances under which the presumed end came.

Major Peck, in a letter to Corporal Handley's relatives, says:-
   'He was in my company, but, as I was second in command of this battalion, I was not in the fight of July 30th. I am afraid that you have already got the best information that there is. Your brother advanced with his gun and fired on a counter-attack by the enemy. He then sent back two of his team for more ammunition. No one was able to advance on each side of him, and finally he sent back the men with him and continued firing his gun to cover them. That was the last seen of him. It is, of course, possible that he was taken prisoner, but I fancy it is not likely - he was too good a fighter for that. May I tell you how very deeply I sympathize with you, and also how proud I am of your brother.'

Corporal Alec Handley joined the Liverpool Regiment at the commencement of the war, and was one of a little band of Runcorn lads, most of whom have been wounded and several of whom will never return to "Blighty". He was a marine engineer by profession, and was employed by Messrs. Cammell Laird's before joining up. In Runcorn he was a well known figure. He received his education at Liverpool College and Runcorn Secondary School."

Alec's body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916.

On 01st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

Alec is also remembered on the Runcorn War Memorial situated at Maughland Lane and Greenway Road. The heading is:

OBEYING THEIR COUNTRYS CALL SERVING HUMANITY THESE GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THE CAUSE OF TRUTH OF JUSTICE AND FREEDOM IN THE GREAT WAR

Helsby High School inherited a Roll of Honour with 19 names on it. James Alexander Handley’s name was one of these.

His mother Jessie and his brother Frank shared Alec's outstanding Army pay. The War Gratuity of £9-10s went to his mother.

Jessie lived at Woodlands, Thomas Lane, Broad Green, Liverpool, before moving to Scotland by 1917.

No pension card has been found, suggesting that Alec's mother did not apply for a pension.

His brother Frank enlisted on 10th August 1914, stating previous service with the Natal Militia Reserves Carbineers. (This unit was based in Pietermaritzburg, which indicates that Frank spent some time in South Africa with his brother Arthur.) He shipped overseas in October, and served as a driver in the R.A.S.C. motor section, attaining the rank of Sergeant. He was transferred to the Army Reserve in April 1919.

In 1919 his mother provided information on Alec's living relatives: she was living at 60 Marieville, Kippford, Dalbeattie, with Frank, 33.  Arthur, 38, was in South Africa (he died in Pietermaritzburg in 1932), Florence, 36, lived in Uphall, West Lothian, Scotland, and Alice was married and lived in Mossley Hill, Liverpool.  Half-brother Thomas, 46, was living in Grappenhall, Cheshire.

His mother died in her 84th year in 1942 in Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire, and was buried in Colvend.

It was not until that same year, 1942, that probate of Alec's estate was granted to his sister Florence, effects of £1,500.

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