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 17442 Oswald Procter
- Age: 23
- From: Liverpool
- Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
- K.I.A Saturday 1st July 1916
- Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.
17442 Private Oswald PROCTOR, 19th Battalion KLR.
Throughout the records the surname varies from Procter/Proctor.
Oswald Procter was born in Liverpool in 1892 the son of William Procter and his wife Elizabeth (nee Essler) who were married in 1876 in Liverpool.
On the 1891 Census, prior to Oswald's birth, the family are living at 54 Myrtle Street, Liverpool. Father, William, is aged 38, a grocer and provision dealer, born Westmorland, mother Elizabeth is aged 38, born in Annaghmore, Co.Antrim. They have six children in the household, all born in Liverpool: David 14, a scholar, William E. C., 12 a scholar, Harry A. 7, a scholar, Thomas 5, a scholar, Mabel A. 3, and Victor S. 5 months. They also have a servant Clara Cooper 17.
His mother, Elizabeth, died aged 41, in 1893.
His father, William, remarried in 1894 to Annie Isabella Fraser.
By the time of the 1901 Census, he was aged 8, and was living with his aunt Alice Clarkson and uncle Thomas at 103 Tagus Street, Liverpool. His uncle, Thomas, was aged 50, born in Kendal and employed as a warehouse clerk. His aunt, Alice, (nee Procter) was aged 40, born in Brookhouse, Lancashire and they had married in 1886 in Toxteth.
The rest of the family are living at 9 Cranborne Road, Wavertree. Father, William, is aged 49 b.Tunstall, a confectioners traveller, step-mother Annie is aged 37, children all born Liverpool: David 24, a merchants clerk, William E., 21 a grocers assistant, Harry A. 17, an engineers apprentice, Thomas N. 15, an office boy, Mabel A. 13, and Victor S. 10, and new additions Sidney 6 and Hilda 1.
His father died, aged 59, on the 02nd November 1910 at the David Lewis Northern Hospital.
Probate 1910:-
PROCTER William of 21 Jubilee Drive, Liverpool died 2 November 1910 at the David Lewis northern Hospital Liverpool Probate Liverpool 11 November to Annie Isabella Procter widow. Effects £189.
By the time of the 1911 Census, Oswald is 18 and working as a metal merchant's clerk. He is still living with his aunt and uncle at 18 Wordworth Street, Sefton Park. They had been married for 25 years but had no chidren of their own. His uncle is aged 60 now employed as a cotton freight clerk, whilst his aunt, Alice, is aged 52.
Oswald was educated at Tiber Street School. On leaving school he was employed as a clerk with Messrs Thornton, Jackson & Co, metal merchants of 24 Hackins Hey, Liverpool; he was also a member of the Church of Christ, Upper Parliament Street, Liverpool.
Oswald tried to enlist in the Liverpool Pals at their inception but owing to defective vision was rejected three times before being accepted on his fourth application in the first week of September 1914. He joined the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 17442.
Formed on 07th September 1914 the 19th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th 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.
Oswald sailed to France with his Battalion on 07th November 1915.
He was killed in action on 1st July 1916, aged 23, during the attack at Montauban on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme.
19th Battalion Diary
Zero Hour 7.30am First day of the attack. The Battalion used up entirely in “carrying parties” for the Brigade. Battalion H.Q. in the “Chateau”, Maricourt. Total casualties 01 -04/07/1916: 1 officer wounded, 12 other ranks killed, 53 wounded and 3 missing.
He has no known grave and his name is amongst those recorded on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916.
On 01st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”
His death was first reported in the Liverpool Echo on 13th July 1916:
Procter - July 1, killed in action, aged 23 years, Oswald Procter, the dearly-loved nephew of Thomas and Alice Clarkson, 18 Wordsworth Street, and sixth son of the late William and Elizabeth Procter. (One of the “Pals.” He gave his life for King and country. He died a hero.)
His death was also reported in the Liverpool Echo on 17th July 1916.
"Oswald Proctor of the "Pals," who has been killed, was 23 years of age, and until war broke out was employed by Messrs.Thornton, Jackson and Co.,Hackins-hey. When the "Pals" battalions were formed he at once volunteered, but owing to defective vision was rejected three times. Being determined, however, to get in, he was accepted on the fourth application. His lieutenant writes to say that Private Proctor hurried out of hospital in order to take part in the great advance. After penetrating beyond the first line of enemy trenches he was killed in the German counter attack by a shell explosion, which also killed eight other men. He was a member of the Church of Christ, Upper Parliament-street."
In a letter to the Proctor's family his Lieutenant wrote:
"Private Proctor hurried out of hospital in order to take part in the great advance. After penetrating beyond the first line of enemy trenches he was killed by the explosion of a shell, which also killed eight other men, in a German counter-attack."
He earned his three medals.
Oswald is also remembered on the following Memorials:
Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 54
Tiber Street County Primary school, Tagus Street, Prince’s Park, Liverpool.
Soldiers Effects and Pension to Aunt Alice W. Clarkson, 18 Wordsworth St, Lodge Lane.
Alice died aged 79 in 1937 in Farnworth, Bolton.
We currently have no further information on Oswald Procter, 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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