Serjeant 22472 John McClenahan

• Age: 26
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• Died Tuesday 18th February 1919
• Commemorated at: Allerton Cem Liverpool
  Panel Ref: I.NC.394

Born in Liverpool on 09^th May 1892, John McClenahan was the elder of two children, both sons, born to Henry McClenahan, a marine engineer born in Dundalk, County Louth, and his wife Elizabeth (nee Cleland), born in County Down, who married in 1890 in Downpatrick, County Down.

By 1891 the couple had moved to Liverpool, where their two children were born.

In 1901 the family lived at 58 Ancaster Road, Aigburth although Henry is not shown, presumably being away at sea. In addition to her two young sons, John 8 and Henry 6, Elizabeth has her sister in law, Susan McClenahan aged 47 years, born in County Louth, visiting. Susan is said to be superintendent of blind workshops. 

In 1903, John was enrolled in Sefton Park County Primary School and is said to be the son of Henry McClenahan of 17 Dundoran Road, Aigburth.

In 1911 Henry, Elizabeth and their two children live at 36 Lisburn Road, Aigburth. His father, 52, is a marine engineer, and is at home, his mother is 44. John, now 18, is shown as a grocer’s apprentice and his younger brother Henry, aged 16 and employed as a fruit broker’s clerk. Susan McClenahan (see earlier) is a member of staff and a seamstress at “San Remo”, a children’s home in Church Wavertree, the home of William Morrison, a builder, whose company was engaged greatly with the building of Liverpool Anglican Cathedral and the chapel and hall of the Blue Coat School, Wavertree. Morrison sadly lost two sons during the Great War.

John’s service number 22472 strongly suggests that he was amongst the first intake for the 20^th Battalion which started at roughly 22000.

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th 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.

On 25^th March 1915, whilst  billeted at Knowsley Hall,  John McClenahan, aged 23 years and a corporal (sic) in the Pals Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment, son of Henry and living at 36 Lisburn Road, married Lily Locke, 25 years, daughter of Thomas, a company director, of “Alyn”, Menlove Avenue, Liverpool, in St Anne’s CE Church, Aigburth. The 1911 Census shows Lilly, an only child, living with her parents at 2 Menlove Avenue, when she is said to be a music teacher.

He was amongst the first shipment to France on 07^th November 1915 and served throughout the Great War.

On 18^th February 1919, while home on pre-demobilisation leave, John died of influenza, almost certainly a victim of the “Spanish Flu” epidemic.

John's medal roll records service in the 20th, 19th and 4th battalions K.L.R.

He now rests at Allerton Cemetery, Grave 1NC 394. The headstone bears the names of  his  parents in law Thomas and Margaret Locke and his wife Lily Locke McClenahan who died in 1952 aged 63.

                 In Memory of
                       JOHN                          
THE DEARLY LOVED HUSBAND OF
            LILY McCLENAHAN,            
          (SERGT. 4TH "PALS")
     WHO DIED FEB.18TH, 1919,
              AGED 27 YEARS

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