Cpl 17613 George James Harker

• Age: 26
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Thursday 28th March 1918
• Commemorated at: Pozieres Memorial
  Panel Ref: P21-23

On the 1901 Census, the family are living at 60 Albert Road, Edge Hill with Beatrice's widowed mother. Head of the household is Dorothy J. Bowness 58, her children Leonard A. 33 railway porter, Charles H. 25 french polisher, Dorothy E. 16 confectionery assistant. His father Edward  is a 35 year old  railway timekeeper born in Evesham, Worcs, his mother Beatrice A. is 36 years of age. They have 6 children living with them; George J. 9, Edward A. 8, Walter H. 6, Edgar A. 4, Dorothy E. 2, and un-named new born 19 days (everybody else born Liverpool).

The un-named new born was named as Charles Robert Harker, sadly he died in 1902, aged 1.

George appears on the Railway Employment Record at Brunswick Station from 14th November 1910 on 14/- a week.

On the 1911 Census the family have moved to 107 Stanhope Street, Toxteth. His father, Edward is now 45 years of age and is a railway timekeeper born in Bengeworth, Evesham, Worcs, his mother Beatrice Alice is aged 46. They advose that they have been married for 20 years  and have had 6 children 5 of whom have survived. All five of the surviving children are declared; George James 19 is railway clerk, Edward Alan 18 is a railway number taker, Walter Harold 16 railway crane boy, Edgar Arnon 14 GPO telegram messenger, Dorothy Elizabeth 12 at school. Also Dorothy Johnson Bowness 68, her children Leonard Albert 44 railway porter, and Dorothy Esther 26 confectionery assistant.

George enlisted in Liverpool on the 11^th September, 1914, joining the 19^th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private 17613. He was aged 22 years and 200 days and gave his occupation as a clerk. He was described as being 5' 5" in height, weighed 126lbs with a 35" chest, is of fresh complexion with dark brown eyes and hair. He states his religion as Church of England and his next of kin as his father Edward  of 41 Coltart Road, Princes Park, Liverpool. At the time of his attestation, his brothers had already enlisted, Cpl 308589 Edward Allan Harker 2/8 KLR, and Pte 1487 Edgar Arnon RAMC (and SWB) 

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.

His service papers show:

The Battalion diary records the events of the day as follows:

During the morning the enemy attacked the troops on our right flank and succeeded in capturing ARVILLERS, menacing our right flank. Three companies of the Battalion had to be immediately echeloned backwards as protection, the Battalion engaging the enemy, who were attempting to come out of ARVILLERS. This position was held during heavy fighting until 2pm when the Battalion was informed that French troops had come into position in the rear. In order for the Division to be relieved the Battalion had to hold their ground whilst the 2^nd Bedfordshire Regt and 2^nd Bn. R.S.F.’s passed through on their way to the rear. At 4pm the Battalion commenced to move off in small parties, passing through the French, and marching through MEZIERES, MOREUIL to MORISEL where hot dinner was provided. The Battalion then formed up and moved up by companies to ROUVREL and were billeted for the night. By this time the total casualties had reached 23 Officers and 457 O.R. 

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

The POZIERES MEMORIAL relates to the period of crisis in March and April 1918 when the Allied Fifth Army was driven back by overwhelming numbers across the former Somme battlefields, and the months that followed before the Advance to Victory, which began on 8 August 1918. The Memorial commemorates over 14,000 casualties of the United Kingdom and 300 of the South African Forces who have no known grave and who died on the Somme from 21 March to 7 August 1918.

The cemetery and memorial were designed by W.H. Cowlishaw, with sculpture by Laurence A. Turner. The memorial was unveiled by Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien on 4 August 1930.

Soldiers Effects and Pension to mother Beatrice Alice.

His father died on 20th July 1918, aged 52.

George is also remembered on the following Memorials:

Hall of Remembrance in Liverpool Town Hall

St Dunstan’s Church Roll of Honour and War Memorial, Earle Rd, Edge Hill, Liverpool

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