Pte 33013 John Radcliffe

• Age: 23
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Sunday 24th March 1918
• Commemorated at: Pozieres Memorial
  Panel Ref: P21-23

John Radcliffe was born in Liverpool on the 14th January 1895 the son of Joseph Radcliffe and his wife Margaret Ann (née Hampson) who were married on the 19th August 1888 at All Soul's Church, Vauxhall. Joseph was a 19 year old labourer of 48 Gascoyne Street, father Alfred a car driver, whilst Margaret was aged 18 of 67 Clement Street, father Thomas an oilman. He was baptised on 30th January 1895 also at All Soul's Church, his father a labourer of 71 Clement St. 

The 1901 Census shows the family are living at 69 Leyden Street, Kirkdale. His father is shown as a General labourer born in Liverpool in 1869, whilst his mother was born in Liverpool in 1870. John is 6 years of age and has one brother Joseph b.1889 and three sisters Jane b.1891, Selina b. 1893 and Hannah b.1900. There is also a Joseph Hampson present which is shown as Joseph Radcliffe's brother in law. 

The 1911 Census find the family still present at 69 Leyden Street. Both parents are present in the household. His father, Joseph, is aged 41, a dock labourer, his mother, Margaret, is 41, along with John now aged 16 but no occupation is shown for him. His siblings have been added to and are Alfred G. born in 1903, Albert Edward born in 1907 and Maggie Lily born in 1910.     

John enlisted in Liverpool originally with the 13th Battalion but following a transfer he was serving in the 19^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment, as Private No 33013 when he was killed in action on the 24^th March, 1918, aged 23, during the German Spring Offensive.

The Battalion diary records:

24^th ROYE EGLISE

The Battalion was again ordered to withdraw and move to ROYE EGLISE during the evening, arriving at 7.30pm.During this operation Major C.W. BIGGS M.C. and LT. J.N.PARKER and about 60 O.R. became casualties. 

John's body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial.

The POZIERES MEMORIAL relates to the period of crisis in March and April 1918 when the Allied Fifth Army was driven back by overwhelming numbers across the former Somme battlefields, and the months that followed before the Advance to Victory, which began on 8 August 1918. The Memorial commemorates over 14,000 casualties of the United Kingdom and 300 of the South African Forces who have no known grave and who died on the Somme from 21 March to 7 August 1918.

The cemetery and memorial were designed by W.H. Cowlishaw, with sculpture by Laurence A. Turner. The memorial was unveiled by Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien on 4 August 1930.

A report of his death appeared in the Liverpool Evening Express of 03rd May 1918:

Private John Radcliffe, Lewis Gunner King's (Liverpool Regt.) (Pals), age 23, is reported killed in action on March 24th. He was formerly employed by the Albion Oil Cake Mills, Boundary-street, and resided with his parents at 69, Leyden-street. His officer and comrades write to say how much they regret his loss. 

He earned his two medals, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. 

His Soldiers Effects, Army Pay of £4 1s 1d and a War Gratuity of £10 10s went to his father Joseph. A pension looks to have been refused. 

On the 1921 Census at 69 Leyden Street his, father, is aged 52, a cellarman, his mother, Margaret, is aged 51, Hannah 20, Alfred 19, Albert 14, Margaret 12, and Susan 8. 

His father died aged 59 in 1928, and his mother aged 75 in 1945. 

John is commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance inside Liverpool Town Hall at Panel 44 Right    

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