Pte 22511 Edward Qualters

• Age: 32
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Sunday 30th July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

Edward Qualters was born in Kirkdale, Liverpool in about September of 1883, the son of Patrick Qualters and his wife Maria (nee Noonan). His parents were both born in Ireland and married in the Prescot district (they lived in Woolton) on the 30th November 1862 in Woolton (as Qualter). They had at least eleven children, at least four of whom died in infancy.  Edward was the sixth of the seven surviving children, and the youngest son. His siblings were Patrick, Richard, James, Maria  (Marion), Winifred, and Honora (Norah).  He was known to the family as Ned.

The 1911 census shows Edward, age 26, a grocer, and his brother James, 36, a dock labourer, are living with their older brother Richard, his wife and four children at 12 Oriel Road, Bootle. Richard, 38, is a fireman in cold storage.  Also in the household is their widowed father Patrick, 72, an old age pensioner born in Co.Galway, Frank Cunningham, a lodger, and cousins James and Thomas Morris.  There are 12 people living in five rooms. 

Edward enlisted in Liverpool on 05^th November 1914, as Private 22511, No.2 Company, 20^th (Pals) Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment, giving his  age as 31 years and 2 months, and his occupation as clerk.  He was described as being 5’ 7 and three quarter inches tall, weighing 120 lbs, 35" chest with grey eyes and brown hair. He gives his next of kin as his father Patrick Qualters, 76 St. John’s Road, Bootle, and stated his religion as Roman Catholic.

Whilst Edward was training at Knowsley Hall near Liverpool, in March 1915, his father died, at age 76, and was buried on the 05th March at Ford Cemetery. 

On 30th April 1915 the Pals battalions move to Belton Park Camp in Lincolnshire, then to Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain for final infantry training. 

Edward shipped to France with his battalion, disembarking at Boulogne on 07^th November 1915. 

In the new year the Pals battalions take up position in the south of the Somme line near Carnoy.

On the 08^th March 1916 Edward was admitted to 96 Field Ambulance with influenza and to 22 Field Ambulance with myalgia on 11^th. He was discharged to duty with his unit on 12^th April.  After specialist training at Abbeville for the ‘Big Push’, the battalions move to the front lines at Maricourt.  On the 24^th June the British preparatory bombardment begins, with retaliatory German shelling, which causes casualties in the 20^th Bn. 

On July 1^st, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, the 20^th battalion takes its objectives with 100 casualties of all ranks.  On subsequent days patrols are sent into Bernafay Wood, and engage in murderous fighting in Trones Wood.  

Edward survives the deadly days of July 1916 on the Somme, until 30^th July, when the 20^th Battlion is involved in the failed attack on the village of Guillemont. This proves the costliest day of the war for the Pals battalions and the City of Liverpool. Private Edward Qualters is one of the nearly 500 killed that day.  

The 20^th King’s Battalion Diary records:

“At 4.45am prompt the attack was launched. Unfortunately, a thick mist prevailed and it was impossible to see more than 10 yards ahead. This continued until about 6 o’clock when it lifted slightly, but it was still too hazy and impossible to see what was happening 100 yards ahead. This being so, it was not surprising to find that the attacking waves were experiencing great difficulty in maintaining connection.”

At 6am, Lt. RE Melly, No.1 Company, reported that his men had taken the German Maltz Horn trench.

At 6.30am, 2/Lt. CP Moore reported that he had 150 men, 4 Stokes Mortars and 2 Lewis Guns, but he was the only officer. He also said that due to the fog, both his “flanks were in the air” i.e. he was not in contact with neighbouring troops.

At 9.10am, Moore was still not in contact at his flanks, and now he had only 75 men, he had sent out 2 patrols and neither not returned. Later Moore established communication with the French on his right.

Around 10.00am, 2/Lt Musker reported that he had just over a company with him, but his left flank was suffering from German machine gun fire. Later he reported that he had over 30 casualties from the machine gun fire. His flanks were also “in the air”. No contact was made with this party until the remnants returned around 9.30pm, all runners sent were killed or missing. The War Diary states that this group had: ”held the ground won all day, and this permitted the consolidation of the ground won on the Maltz Horn ridge with little interference from the enemy”.

Relief for 20/Kings had been planned for 11.00pm, but it was 5.00am on the 31st July before it took place, ending a tragic day for the Liverpool Pals.

Casualties for 20^th Battalion were 16 Officers and 357 Other Ranks

When darkness fell on the battlefield the 30^th Division held a line from the railway on the eastern side of Trones Wood , southwards and including Arrow Head Copse, to east of Maltz Horn Farm. On this line the division was relieved by the 55^th Division during the early hours of the 31^st July. 

The events of 30^th July 1916 were regarded at the time as Liverpool’s blackest day. There follows an extract from The History of the 89^th Brigade written by Brigadier General Ferdinand Stanley which gives an indication of the events of the day.

Guillemont

Well the hour to advance came, and of all bad luck in the world it was a thick fog; so thick that you couldn’t see more than about ten yards. It was next to impossible to delay the attack – it was much too big an operation- so forward they had to go. It will give some idea when I say that on one flank we had to go 1,750 yards over big rolling country. Everyone knows what it is like to cross enclosed country which you know really well in a fog and how easy it is to lose your way. Therefore, imagine these rolling hills, with no landmarks and absolutely unknown to anyone. Is it surprising that people lost their way and lost touch with those next to them? As a matter of fact, it was wonderful the way in which many men found their way right to the place we wanted to get to. But as a connected attack it was impossible.

The fog was intense it was practically impossible to keep direction and parties got split up. Owing to the heavy shelling all the Bosches had left their main trenches and were lying out in the open with snipers and machine guns in shell holes, so of course our fellows were the most easy prey.

It is so awfully sad now going about and finding so many splendid fellows gone.

Edward’s death was announced in the Liverpool Daily Post on 29^th August 1916: 

“Private Edward Qualters, youngest son of the late Patrick and Mrs. Qualters, of Bootle, has been killed in action. He joined the “Pals” in November 1914, and went to France in October last.”

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.”

Edward’s death was announced in the Liverpool Daily Post on 29^th August 1916: 

 “Private Edward Qualters, youngest son of the late Patrick and Mrs. Qualters, of Bootle, has been killed in action. He joined the “Pals” in November 1914, and went to France in October last.”

On the anniversary of his death one year later, in the Liverpool Echo, on 30^th July 1917 under the heading ‘Lost At The Battle of Guillemont’:

“July 30, 1916, killed in action, Private Edward Qualters (Ned), K.L.R. (Pals). – Dearly remembered by his Brothers Patrick, Richard, and James, and all at Knowsley Road and St. John’s Road, Bootle.  R.I.P.”

Infantry records were informed that any articles of personal property should be dispatched to his brother Richard, “for division between legatees”.  Edward’s effects went to his brother Richard, as guardian for his nephew, and brother Patrick, as guardian for his niece.  Edward earned his three medals, which were to be forwarded to his brother Richard, at 76 St. John’s Road, Bootle, to be retained by him until his son Richard, Edward’s nephew, “is of an age to appreciate their value when they should be handed over to him”.

Edward is also remembered on the following Memorials:

Bootle Civic Memorial

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 46.

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