Pte 53075 Tom Edgar Houlson

• Age: 21
• From: Manchester
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Wednesday 13th December 1916
• Commemorated at: Berles Position Military Cemetery
  Panel Ref: B.3

Tom Edgar Houlson was born in Openshaw, Manchester in 1895 and he was the youngest son of George Houlson, a schoolmaster from Bristol, and his wife Emily (née Turle) from Rockbeare, Devon, who were married at Bath Register Office in 1879. Tom had three brothers Alfred, Vere and Cyril and one sister Emma. Two other brothers Ernest and Reginald had died young.

On the 1891 Census the family are living at 16 June St, Chorlton. Father George is aged 50, a schoolmaster, born Bristol, mother Emily is aged 34, born Rockbeare, Devon, children at school are: Alfred P. 13, born Bath, Vere E. 8, born Dartmouth, Cyril O. 5, born Manchester, and Emma Dorothy 2, born Rhyl.   

Tom's mother died aged 43 in 1899, and was buried on the 31st January at Droylsden Cemetery.  

In early 1901 Tom, aged six, was living with his widowed father and Alfred and Cyril at 28 Station Road, Higher Openshaw. Vere had already enlisted with the Royal Engineers and was in Chattenden Barracks, Strood, Kent and Emma's whereabouts are unknown. After Tom's father died aged 61 later in 1901 the family appears to have split up. In 1911 Tom, aged 14, was in the National Children's Home, Crowthorne Road, Edgworth, near Bolton, Lancashire and working as a farm labourer. Alfred was married and living in Lincoln, Cyril, who in 1906 had been living in Hartington Street, Loughborough, was in lodgings in Lincoln, Vere was in lodgings in Gorton, Manchester and Dorothy Emma was in service in Gorton.

Tom had 3 brothers Alfred, Vere and Cyril and one sister Emma. He had two other siblings who died in infancy they were Ernest and Reginald. His mother, Emily, died in 1899. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 28 Station Road, Higher Openshaw. 

His father, George, died in 1901 leaving the children orphaned. It is not known what happened to all of the Children but at the 1911 Census, Tom is living at the time National Children's Home, Edgworth near Bolton. He is 14 years of age. 

At the time of enlistment he was employed by Brush Electrical Engineering Company in Loughborough. Tom enlisted in Loughborough joining the Leicestershire Regiment as Private 18786. He was subsequently transferred to the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 53075. 

Tom was killed in action on 13/12/1916 when following a bombardment on the enemy positions on the Monchy Salient he was part of a raiding party. 

Tom now rests at Berles Position Military Cemetery at B.3 where his headstone bears the poignant epitaph:

"HEAVENLY STAR SHINE ON THE GRAVE OF ONE WE LOVED BUT COULD NOT SAVE".

The village of Berles-au-Bois remained in British hands from the summer of 1915, when it was taken over from French troops, until the end of the War; but it suffered at times from severe shelling.

The village was later "adopted" by the County Borough of Wolverhampton.

Berles Position Military Cemetery was begun by the 46th (North Midland) Division in July, 1916, and used (largely by the same Division) until February, 1917. It lies in a long dip; and it was known also as The Ravine Cemetery and as Nobs Walk Cemetery.

There are now over 50, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, a small number are unidentified.

The cemetery covers an area of 379 square metres and is enclosed by a low rubble wall.

Soldiers effects, Army pay of £13 11s 2d was shared between brothers Alfred P., Vere Evelyn and sister Emma D. who received brother Cyril's share, the £3 War Gratuity also went to Emma. There is no pension record.   

Tom is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Carillion Tower Memorial in Loughborough

Brush Electrical Engineering Company.

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