Pte 16784 John Harold Kitchen

• Age: 20
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Friday 28th January 1916
• Commemorated at: Carnoy Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: O.13

John Harold Kitchen (known as Harold) was born on 03rd July 1895 and was the twin brother of Joseph Percy Kitchen, (known as Percy) and were baptised on the 21st August 1895 at St Cleopas' Church, Toxteth. Their parents Joseph Farrer Kitchen, born in Whitehaven and his wife Annie (nee Grant) born in Woolwich had married on the 15th June 1887 at St Michael in the Hamlet Church, Toxteth. Joseph was a 23 year old clerk of Moses Street, father John a deceased shipwright, whilst Annie was aged 22 of David Street, father Frederick a book keeper. They were the first boys born after the first four of their children being daughters. There was to be a third son, Leslie, born in 1902. 

Harold was an old boy of St Margaret’s School, Prince’s Road and was a member of the PSA at Lodge Lane Wesleyan Church.

In 1901, his father Joseph F. aged 37, a Secretary with the Co-operative Society and born in Whitehaven, lived with his wife Annie aged 36, born in Woolwich, London and their five children at 29 Barrington Road, Liverpool. Harold is aged 5 and his siblings are shown as; Ethel M. aged 12, Florence aged 11, Ada aged 9 and Percy aged 5. 

In 1911 the family had moved to 43 Jermyn Street, Liverpool. His parents Joseph F. aged 47 and a general secretary and Annie aged 46, advised that they had been married for 23 years and have had 8 children, 7 of whom have survived. All seven of their surviving children are in the household:  Ethel Mary aged 22 is a typist, Florence aged 21 is an assistant, Ada 19 has no occupation listed, Joseph Percy aged 15 is employed with a firm of solicitors, John Harold was employed by Messrs. Miller, Beer & Co. Cotton Brokers of Orleans House, Liverpool, Leslie is 9 and at school and Dorothy is aged 5. 

His mother Annie Kitchen died on 28th March 1914, aged 49.

Her death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on Saturday 28 March 1914

KITCHEN March 28, at 43 Jermyn Street, aged 49 years, Annie, the dear and loved wife of Joseph F. Kitchen.

Harold enlisted at St George's Hall, Liverpool on 01st September 1914, joining the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 16784. His service record shows that he was aged 19 years 60 days, giving his occupation as clerk. He gave his next of kin as his father of 43 Jermyn Street and stated his religion as Wesleyan. He was described as follows; height 5' 5", weight 118lbs, chest 36", fair complexion, eyes blue, hair light brown.

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th 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 07^th November 1915.

Harold was killed in action on 28^th January 1916, aged 20.

The 18th Battalion War Diary for January 1916 records: 

BRAY

21/1/16 - Billets

24/1/16 - Relieved 2nd Battn Yorkshire Regt in trenches

27/1/16 - In trenches 

28/1/16 - In trenches. Heavy bombardment by the enemy artillery during the day. 18/16784 Pte P. Kitchen killed 29/1/16 - Bombardment continued until 1 a.m. The Battalion was congratulated by the Brigadier General and the following message was received by the Divisional Commander “ Well done 18th Liverpools, Corps very pleased. ”  

He now rests at Carnoy Cemetery, France. 

The cemetery was begun in August 1915, by the 2nd King's Own Scottish Borderers and the 2nd King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, when the village was immediately South of the British front line. It continued in use by troops holding this sector until July 1916, when Field Ambulances came up and a camp was established on the higher ground North of the village. It was closed in March 1917. From March to August 1918, it was in German hands, and German (and a few British) graves were made between the British graves and the entrance, and also in a German Cemetery alongside; but the German graves and the German Cemetery were removed in 1924.

There are now over 850, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, nearly 30 are unidentified and special memorials are erected to 17 soldiers and one airman from the United Kingdom, known or believed to be buried among them.

The cemetery covers an area of 4,441 square metres and is enclosed by a red brick wall.

Harold’s death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 04th February 1916: 

-A LIVERPOOL PAL KILLED – News has been received in Liverpool of the death in action in France of Private J Harold Kitchen son of Mr Joseph F and the late Annie Kitchen and twin brother of J Percy Kitchen of 5 Radstock Road, Fairfield.  This young soldier was 20 years of age.  He was an old boy of St Mary’s and a member of the P.S.A. at Lodge Lane Wesleyan Church. Prior to joining the 2^nd Battalion of the “Pals” he was employed by Messrs Miller, Beer and Co. cotton brokers of Orleans House.  By his colleagues and by all with whom he mingled in private life Private Kitchen was held in the highest esteem and his death has brought grief to a wide circle.  His brother is at the front.    

His parents placed a notice, also in the Liverpool Echo on 04th February 1916:

KITCHEN - January 28, (instantaneously) killed in action by shrapnel, in France, aged 20 years. Private J. Harold Kitchen, 2nd Battalion Liverpool "Pals", beloved son of Joseph F. and the late Annie Kitchen and twin brother of J. Percy Kitchen 8 Radstock-road, Fairfield, late of 43 Jermyn Street.  

Personal items returned:- identity disc, identity disc(metal), soldiers word and phrase book (The Happy Warrior), CWS Diaries 1915 and 1916, 6 photos, 2 letters, 2 post cards, handkerchief, metal watch, clasp knife, purse containing buttons, farthing, trench cartridge [The Happy Warrior : Daily thoughts for all who are serving their country, whether on land, or sea, or in air by Edith Mary Gell 1915]

His father wrote a letter on 03rd February 1917 asking where Harold was buried, thought to be in the area of Bray.

Soldiers Effects, army pay of £5 1s 1d and War Gratuity  of £5 10s to father Joseph Farrer(sic) Kitchen, no Pension record found. 

Percy, his twin brother, also enlisted, giving his age as 19 years 60 days, but his papers show he also enlisted on 01^st September 1914 - though he gives exactly the same age as Harold. Percy also gave his occupation as clerk and served as Private 17199 in the 18^th Battalion with his brother. He too served in France and was killed in action on 01^st July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme.  Percy’s record shows that he was initially buried in Talus-Boise cemetery, some 1000 yards east of Carnoy and 4 miles north-east of Bray. After the Armistice, his was one of many graves relocated and he now rests at Peronne Road Cemetery, near Maricourt, in Grave IV G 19.

By this time, the family had moved to 8 Radstock Road, Liverpool, which is the address to which his and Harold’s medals and effects were sent. The third and only surviving son, Leslie, was too young to serve during the Great War.

By 1919, their mother had died and their father was living with three of his unmarried daughters and his son, Leslie, still at 8 Radstock Road.

Both Harold and Percy are commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 67

They are also commemorated on the family headstone at Toxteth Park Cemetery, Liverpool:

Also Sydney infant son of Joseph F. and Annie Kitchen who died 29th November 1899 aged 14 months,
Also Annie beloved wife of Joseph F. Kitchen who died 28th March 1914 aged 49 years "Peace, perfect peace"
Also Joseph Farrar Kitchen died 06th September 1944, aged 80 years
In tender memory of J. Harold Kitchen killed in France 28th January 1916 also
J. Percy Kitchen killed in France 1st July 1916 aged 20 years.
Twin sons of Joseph F. and the above Annie Kitchen. 

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