1885 - 1916
CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916
Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916
Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916
Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918
Pte 51681 Albert Egbert Jefferies
- Age: 20
- From: Liverpool
- Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
- D.O.W Friday 24th November 1916
- Commemorated at: Warlincourt Halte Brit Cem
Panel Ref: III.G.10
Albert Egbert Jefferies was born in 1896 in Liverpool and was the only son of Albert Egbert Jefferies and his wife Anne Patton (née Wilson) who married, according to a family tree, on the 19th August 1890 at Myrtle Street Baptist Chapel, Liverpool.
The 1901 Census shows the family living at 130, Kensington, Liverpool. Albert's father, Albert Egbert, is aged 37, born in Liverpool, and is a clerk collector for a friendly society and his mother Annie Patton who is aged 35, also born in Liverpool, is listed as dealing with glass and china. At the time of the Census they have two children; Edna aged 7 and Albert Egbert aged 4. They also have Lucy Wilson a widow aged 78, born 1823 in Somerset living with them, she is presumably Anne's mother.
The 1911 Census shows the family living at 15 Dalmorton Road, New Brighton. His father, Albert Egbert, is aged 47, occupation Insurance Clerk, his mother Annie Patton is aged 45. They declared that they have had three children, of which one had sadly died, all were born in Liverpool. The surviving children listed on the Census are; Edna aged 17 born 1894 no occupation listed and Albert Egbert is aged 14, born 1897 is at school.
Albert was educated at Liscard High School and prior to enlistment he was employed as a Clerk within the National Health section of the Royal Liverpool Friendly Society.
He enlisted as Rifleman 3939 joining the 6th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment (Liverpool Rifles). He embarked aboard the S.S. Princess Victoria from Folkestone-Boulogne on 15th July 1916 reaching the 24th Infantry Base Depot on 16th July, he then proceeded to 11th Entrenching Battalion on 02nd August 1916, and further proceeded to the 17th Battalion K.L.R. on 05th August 1916. He was then Attached to No.4 Coy 19th Battalion K.L.R. on 10th August, and posted from 05th September 1916 the 19th Battalion as Private 51681.
Albert died of wounds on 24th November 1916, aged 20, after being hit by a shell in the right arm and leg on the 21st November 1916.
The battalion war diary records:
‘Berles. In billets. Working parties found for R.E’s. 52252 Private Hickson F.O. and 21798 Wainwright H. were killed in action, 41813 Private Minton A, 21618 Private Riley C. 51681 Private Jefferies A.E, 21472 Corporal Carter, E., were wounded in action. All were of ‘D’ Company and were on one of the working parties in the frontline.’
He now rests at Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery at III.G.10 where his headstone bears the epitaph:
"I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVETH".
The site of the cemetery was chosen in May 1916. It was used from June 1916 to May 1917 by the 20th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations, in February 1917 by the 1/1st South Midland, and from April to June 1917 by the 32nd. The whole of plots VII, VIII, IX and X were filled in April and May 1917, the months of the Battles of Arras. From June 1917, the cemetery was practically unused until the fighting of May and June 1918, when field ambulances buried in it. After the Armistice the cemetery was increased by graves brought in from other smaller cemeteries.
The cemetery now contains 1,266 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There are also 29 German and two French war graves.
The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden.
His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on the 30th November 1916 in the Liverpool Echo on Thursday 30th November 1916;
DIED OF WOUNDS.
Pte Private Albert E. Jefferies, K.L.R. was formerly an employee in the National Health Section of the Royal Liver Friendly Society, at the head office of which the flag is to-day flying at half-mast as a last tribute of respect.
His death was also reported in the Liverpool Echo on 02nd December 1916:
DIED OF WOUNDS
Private Albert Egbert Jefferies (20), of the K.L.R., only son of Mr and Mrs A. E Jefferies of 19 Dalmorton Road, New Brighton. He joined the Army 14 months ago, and had been in France about 2 months. He finished his education at the Liscard High School, and was employed as a clerk in the National Health section of the Royal Liverpool Family Society.
Also with a photograph, his cap badge that of the Liverpool 6th (Territorial) Battalion in the Wallasey News on the 02nd December 1916;
Died from Wounds.
The sad intelligence has been received of the death of Pte. Albert Egbert Jefferies, aged 26, of the K.L.R. A telegram from the War Office says:- "Regret to report A. E. Jefferies died of wounds at the Casualty Station in France on November 24th." He joined the Army fourteen months ago, and had only been in France about two months. The brave boy finished his education at the Liscard High School, and was employed as clerk in the National Health section of the Roval Liverpool Friendly Society. He attended the Baptist Church, Seabank-road, and was a member of the Young Men's Class. He is the first boy from this church who has laid down his life for his country. He is the only son of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Jefferies, of 19, Dalmorton-road, New Brighton, who are well known in the religious life of Wallasey. Much sympathy has been expressed for them in their sad bereavement.
His death was also recorded in the Wallasey News on the 09th December 1916;
A memorial service to the late Private Albert E. Jefferies, K.L.R., will be conducted by the Rev. J. W. Skinner at the New Brighton Baptist Church, Seabank-road, to-morrow (Sunday), at 11 a.m.
He earned his two medals.
Soldiers Effects, Army Pay of £4 14s 8d and £4 War Gratuity to father Albert Egbert, and pension to his mother Annie Patton.
On the 1921 Census his parents are visiting Emily Elizabeth Jefferies, aged 55, at 29 Zig Zag Road, New Brighton. his father, Albert, is aged 57, a cashier for the Royal Liver Friendly Society, and his mother, Annie, is aged 56.
His mother, Annie, died aged 58, on the 07th May 1923 at Stanley Hospital, Liverpool.
In 1923, following the death of his wife, Albert emigrated to Australia to live with his daughter.
His father died, aged 73, in Maffra, Victoria, Australia where his daughter Edna was then living.
Albert is also commemorated on the following Memorials:
Wallasey Civic Memorial located in the Hospital on Mill Lane,
Wallasey Roll of Honour
New Brighton Baptist Church
He is also commemorated on the family headstone in Rake Lane Cemetery, Wallasey which reads:-
In Loving Remembrance Of
ANNIE PATTON
beloved wife of
ALBERT E. JEFFERIES
who fell asleep 7th May 1923 aged 58 years
ALSO of their dear son
ALBERT EGBERT JEFFERIES
19th K.L.R.
died of wounds at Warlencourt, France
24th November 1916 aged 20 years
"They served with love"
ALSO of the above ALBERT E. JEFFERIES
who died at Maffra, Australia,
16th September 1937 aged 73 years
"Where I am, there also My servant be" John xiii.26
His father died aged 73 in Maffra, Victoria, Australia where his daughter Edna was then living.
Grateful thanks are extended to Kevin Shannon the author of the book The Liverpool Rifles for providing details of Joseph's service with the 6th Rifles.
We currently have no further information on Albert Egbert Jefferies, if you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.
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