L/Cpl 52419 Albert Edward Hollinghurst

• Age: 31
• From: Bootle, Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 31st August 1918
• Commemorated at: Hac Cem Ecourt-saint Mein
  Panel Ref: VIII.A.13

Albert Edward Hollinghurst was born in 1887 in Bootle, the son of William Hollinghurst and his wife Ann (née Pugh). His parents, who were both born in Liverpool, were married at St. George's C.of E. Church, Everton on the 13th April 1873. William was a 22 year old joiner of Everton, his father, Henry, was a joiner, whilst Ann was also aged 22 of Everton, her father, Charles, was a sail maker. Albert Edward was one of eleven children, seven of whom survived into adulthood. His known siblings were; Mary Ellen (born in 1874), Charles Henry (born in 1875), William (born in 1880), Margaret (born in 1882), Annie (born in 1883) Arthur (born in 1892). 

The family lived at 27 Marsh Street, Kirkdale in 1881.

The 1891 Census finds the family living at 1 Humber Street, Kirkdale, Liverpool. His father, William, is a 40 year old joiner, born in Everton, his mother, Ann, is also aged 40 and was born in Liverpool. They have six children in the household; Mary E. is 17, Charles H. is a 16 year old grocer's apprentice, William is 10 and a scholar, as are Margaret aged 8, and Annie aged 7. Albert E. is 3 years of age.   

The family have moved and are living at 24 Euston Street, Walton in 1901. His father is now a 50 year old joiner, his mother is also 50. They have six children in the household; Mary E. aged 27, William aged 20 is an apprentice joiner, Margaret is an 18 year old clerk, Annie aged 18 is a milliner's apprentice, Albert E. is aged 13 and Arthur is aged 9. 

The 1911 Census finds the family are living at 112 Bedford Road, Bootle. His father is now a 60 year old joiner, his mother is also 60. They have been married for 37 years and have had eleven children, seven of whom have survived. There are four children declared in the household; Mary Ellen is a 37 year old assistant, Annie is aged 27 with no occupation listed, Albert Edward is aged 23 and a grocer's asssistant and Arthur is a 19 year old teacher. Also declared is a boarder, William Beevers a 29 year old tailor's manager, born in Huddersfield.   

Previous to enlisting he was employed by MacSymons Stores Ltd. as traveller.

He enlisted with the King's Liverpool Regiment at Bootle. The CWGC list him with the 13th Battalion but Soldiers Died in the Great War say he was with the 18th Battalion as Lance-Corporal No 52419 when he was killed in action on the 31st August 1918, aged 31, during the hundred days offensive which ended the First World War (8^th August-11^th November 1918).  (Also listed as 18th Battalion in Everard Wyrall’s HISTORY OF THE KING'S REGIMENT (LIVERPOOL) 1914-1919). 

He now rests at HAC Cemetery, Ecourt-Saint Mein, France. The Inscription on his headstone, which does not contain a Cross reads:

“THY WILL BE DONE”

The enemy positions from Doignies to Henin-sur-Cojeul, including the village of Ecoust, were captured on 2 April 1917, by the 4th Australian and 7th Divisions. This cemetery was begun by the 7th Division after the battle, when 27 of the 2nd H.A.C., who fell (with one exception) on the 31st March or the 1st April, were buried in what is now Plot I, Row A. After the German counter-attack near Lagnicourt on the 15th April, twelve Australian gunners were buried in the same row. Rows B, C and part of D were made in August and September 1918, when the ground had been recaptured by the 3rd Division after five months enemy occupation. The 120 graves thus made were the original H.A.C. Cemetery; but after the Armistice graves were added from the battlefields of Bullecourt and Ecoust and from a number of smaller burial grounds.

There are now nearly 2,000, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, over half are unidentified and special memorials are erected to 17 soldiers from the United Kingdom and 14 from Australia, known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials record the names of 34 soldiers from the United Kingdom, buried in other cemeteries, whose graves were destroyed by shell fire. The cemetery covers an area of 5,801 square metres and is enclosed by a low red brick wall.

He was reported as Missing in the Liverpool Weekly Courier on Saturday 26 October 1918; 

Wounded and Missing. 

Reported wounded and missing August 31 last, Lance-Corporal A. E. Hollinghurst, A Company, 13th K.L.R. Any information thankfully received by his parents at 24 Stanley Road, Bootle. Previous to joining up was employed by MacSymons Ltd. as traveller. 

A request for information concerning his fate appeared in the Liverpool Echo on the 16th December 1918.

Reported wounded and missing August 31 last, Lance-corporal A.E. Hollinghurst, A Company, 13th K.L.R. Any information thankfully received by his parents at 24, Stanley-road, Bootle.

An enquiry was made on 20th November 1918 to the Red Cross as to whether Albert had been taken as a Prisoner of War, his details were given as Lance Corporal 52419 "A" Coy, 1st Platoon, Wounded and Missing 31/8/1918 (France). A negative response was sent on 23rd November 1918 to a J M Hollinghurst at 123 Bedford Road, Bootle.   

Soldiers Effects, Army Pay (two payments of £19 17s 11d and 10s), and War Gratuity of £14 10s went to his father, William. A pension gratuity went to his mother, Annie. One of the Effects records his death incorrectly as 31st January 1918. 

He earned two medals, the British War Medal and Victory Medal which indicates that he did not see service overseas until 1916. 

By 1921 the family have moved to 266 Westminster Road, Kirkdale. His father, William, is aged 70 and retired, Ann is also aged 70, with daughter, Mary Ellen, aged 47 and a grandson. 

His father, William died, aged 71, on the 09th February 1922. 

His death was reported in the Liverpool Daily Post on Tuesday 14 February 1922: 

HOLLINGHURST - February 9, at his residence 266 Westminster Road, Liverpool, WILLIAM, the beloved husband of Ann Hollinghurst. Interment at Anfield Cemetery, today (Tuesday) at 3 p.m. 

Albert's family paid tribute to him in the Liverpool Weekly Courier on Saturday 02 September 1922;  

Roll Of Honour. 

HOLLINGHURST - In loving memory of Lance-Cpl. ALBERT EDWARD HOLLINGHURST, killed in Action Aug. 31, 1918, whilst serving with 13th King's Liverpool Regt., son of the late Wm. Hollinghurst. (Never forgotten by his loving mother and sister Mary, 266, Westminster-road, Kirkdale.)

His mother, Ann, died, aged 83, on the 30th April 1934 in Maghull. 

Her death was reported in the Liverpool Daily Post on Wednesday 02 May 1934; 

HOLLINGHURST— April 30 at 1 Claremont-avenue, Maghull in her 84th year, ANN, the beloved wife of late William Hollinghurst (late Kirkdale). Interment at Anfield Cemetery, to-day (Wednesday), at 3 p.m. (direct to grave)  

Albert Edward is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Bootle Civic Memorial

St Lawrence C of E Church, Kirkdale.

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