Pte 27508 William Clarence Rea

• Age: 25
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 23rd April 1917
• Commemorated at: Arras Memorial
  Panel Ref: Bay 3

William Clarence was born in Liverpool on 05th February 1892 the son of William Rae and his wife Elizabeth (nee Johnson). His father was born in Liverpool and was a shoemaker, his mother was also born in Liverpool, they married in St. Mary's Church, Walton in 1880. He had seven brothers; James H, Frank, Alfred E, Samuel T, Harold, Albert  and Arthur, he also had two sisters Mary C and Flora. 

He was enrolled at Arnot Street School, Walton in 1897. 

The 1901 Census shows the family are living at 64 Leta Street, Walton. His father William is a 42 year old shoemaker, whilst his mother Elizabeth is 40. They live with their seven children who are shown as; James H. aged 19 and a labourer, Frank aged 15 is a rope maker, Alfred E.  is13, Samuel T. is 11, William C. is 9, Harold is 5,  and Mary C. 1 (all were born in Liverpool).

By 1911 the family were living at 61 Claudia Street, Walton. William is now 19 years of age and is employed as a Mill Hand. His father William is now shown as aged 55 and  boot repairer,  his mother Elizabeth is aged 49. they advise that they have been married for 31 years and have had 14 children of whom 9 have survived. His siblings resident at the home are listed as; Frank aged 25 and is a married canvas maker, Alfred E. is a 23 year old tramway conductor, Samuel T.  is a 21 year old paper seller, Harold 15 is a bakers boy, Mary C. 11 is at school, Albert E. 9 is at school, Arthur 7  isat school, and Flora is 4.

William married Annie Wilcock, aged 21, at St Polycarp Church, Everton on 07th June 1915. William is described as a Labourer.  They had a daughter, named Annie, she was born in the December quarter of 1916 and in all likelihood never met her father.

He enlisted in Liverpool and was serving with the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 27508 when he was killed in action on 23rd April 1917 aged 25.

On that day the Battalion had occupied old German Trenches at Henniel on the Arras sector of the front. In the evening, it moved to a sunken road to support an attack by the 18th and 19th Battalion’s of the Manchester Regiment. Elements of the Pals were to provide mopping up parties for both the Manchester Battalions, who were to move forward at 18.00pm. However, as the orders were not received until 17.45pm,it proved impossible to join the Manchester’s in time for their attack and the mopping up parties followed from where they presumed that the assaulting waves had left.

By this time, the German retaliatory barrage had begun, and the British Front Line was so heavily shelled, that the Battalion took up position in the shell holes in front. As the situation was chaotic, some troops on the right flank had begun to pullback, it was decided to withdraw to the British front line under cover of darkness to consolidate. Eventually, by morning the position became clearer, and the Battalion was able to move forward to occupy the old front line which had been vacated by the Germans, who had retired over the next crest.

Altogether the Battalion’s losses were four officers and one hundred and one other ranks, killed, wounded or missing.

His body was not recovered from the battlefield or was subsequently lost as his name is recorded on the Arras Memorial in France.

The ARRAS MEMORIAL commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918, the eve of the Advance to Victory, and have no known grave. The most conspicuous events of this period were the Arras offensive of April-May 1917, and the German attack in the spring of 1918. Canadian and Australian servicemen killed in these operations are commemorated by memorials at Vimy and Villers-Bretonneux. A separate memorial remembers those killed in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. Both cemetery and memorial were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with sculpture by Sir William Reid Dick. The memorial was unveiled by Lord Trenchard, Marshal of the Royal Air Force on the 31 July 1932 (originally it had been scheduled for 15 May, but due to the sudden death of French President Doumer, as a mark of respect, the ceremony was postponed until July).

William is recorded on the War Memorial of J Bibby and Sons, Bootle. 

A newspaper report at the time of William's death stated that prior to enlisting he had lived at 76 Conway Street and that he left a widow and one child. His officer is reported as stating that: "His loss is felt by all especially myself".

Soldiers Effects and Pension to widow Annie.

His widow, Annie, was living at 32 Abingdon Road, Walton Hall Avenue, Liverpool when the CWGC placed William's details on file.

His father died in the March quarter of 1922 aged 65.

His mother died in the September quarter of 1938 aged 76.

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