Pte 16329 Leslie Price

• Age: 22
• From: Swadlincote, Derbyshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 26th February 1916
• Commemorated at: Carnoy Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: O.19

Leslie was born in in Swadlincote, Derbyshire in the first quarter of 1894 the only child of John Price and his wife Annie Maria (nee Massey). He was baptised on 18th April 1894 at the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Woodville and Swadlincote, Derbyshire, England

By the time of the 1901 Census, the family had moved to Liverpool and lived at 15 Wendover Avenue, Aigburth, where his father, John, is described as a 40 year old secretary for a Limited Company. He was born in Gresley, Derbyshire.His mother Annie aged 42, born in Swadlincote together with Leslie now aged 7 years, are shown visiting her father, Eli Massey and sister Eliza at 4 Hearthcote Road, Swadlincote, Derbyshire.

In 1911, John, now a  51 year old “retired sanitary works manager”, lives with his 53 year old wife and 17 year old son, now a clerk with the Gas Company, at 3 Ashbourne Road, Aigburth. His parents advised that they had been married for 27 years and had one child, Leslie.

Leslie Price was educated at Liverpool Institute.

He enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 31^st August 1914, joining the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 16329. He gave his age as 20 years 180 days, born Swadlincote Derbyshire,  he stated his occupation as clerk, (he was working for the Liverpool Gas Company) and his next of kin as his father at 3 Ashbourne Road. He was described as being 5' 8" tall, weighed 147 lbs, chest 36", with a fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair. He confirmed his religion as Wesleyan. He had defective arches in both feet.

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. 

His service record shows that on 07^th September 1914 he was promoted to Corporal but this was cancelled on 03^rd October that year. Leslie had won second prize in a rifle competition at Salisbury Plain before leaving the UK. 

He served in France from 7^th November 1915, earning his 3 medals, but was killed in action on 26^th February 1916, aged 22.

The Liverpool Echo of 04th March 1916 reported his death:

KILLED IN ACTION

PRICE - February 26, in France, aged 22 years, Private Leslie Price, 18th Service Battalion (2nd City Pals), King's Liverpool Regiment, only son of John and Annie Price, 3 Ashbourne Road, Aigburth Road.

A further indepth report of his death appeared in the Liverpool Echo on 21st March 1916

Information has been received that Private Leslie Price of the 18th Service Battalion 2nd Pals King's (Liverpool Regiment) was killed by a sniper in France. Private Price was the only son of Mr.and Mrs.John Price of 3 Ashbourne-road,Aigburth, and was twenty two years of age. He was educated at the Liverpool Institute and had been in the employ of the Liverpool Gas Company for about seven years being in the treasurer's department. He joined the Pals on August 31,1914 and went to France with his regiment on November 7th last. Private Price was greatly liked by all that knew him, being popular with his comrades. In a letter to his parents Captain Brockbank wrote:

"Your dear son fell at his post of duty. Death was paractically instantaneous and in any case he suffered no pain. He was shot through the head. It might console you to know how highly he was thought of by all the officers, N.C.O.'s,and men in the company. He was never the slightest of trouble always willing, cheerful, and ready to do any work that was wanted. No one has had an easy time in the trenches lately and the weather has been bad but I never heard your son once complain. We have lost a splendid soldier and a Christian gentleman."

A chum of Private Price's, Private John Irving of Mersey-road, Aigburth was with him when he was killed was wounded the following night in the back and is now in hospital in Manchester. During his training Private Price won a silver spoon of his battalion in a rifle competition at Salisbury Plain last October. 

Leslie now rests at Carnoy Cemetery, Grave O19.

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.

His officer, Charles Brockbank, who was to fall himself on 01st July 1916, wrote to the family expressing the sorrow at his loss. He explained that death had been almost instantaneous due to being shot in the head by a sniper.

Soldiers Effects to father John at 3 Ashbourne Road but his medals, when sent in August 1919, were addressed to his father at ‘Denver’, Mersey Road, Aigburth. 

Pension to mother Annie M.

Leslie is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Liverpool Institute now housed at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA)

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 53.

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