Pte 22821 Edward Ernest Roberts

• Age: 22
• From: Egremont, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Wednesday 18th October 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

Edward (Ted) Ernest was born in Birkenhead in the first quarter of 1894, the son of Richard Tucker Roberts and his wife Mary Louisa (nee Jones) who were married on the 06th July 1885 at St John's Church, Liverpool. Richard was a 23 year old pawnbroker of 25 Cockspur Street, father John a general foreman, whilst Mary was aged 20 of 231 County Road, father Robert a master mariner. 

The 1901 Census shows the family are living at 122 Lawrence Road, Wavertree. Edward is 7 years of age. His father is shown as a manager in a Pawnbroker's born in Liverpool in 1862, whilst his mother was born in Liverpool in 1865. He has four siblings: Louise 12, Eveline 10, Winifred 5 and Francis 2. His grandfather Robert Jones is also in the household, a retired master mariner now 74 years of age.

The 1911 Census finds the family living at 27 St Paul's Road, Seacombe. Edward is aged 17, single and a Dentistry Apprentice. Both parents are living at the property, his father is now shown as a collector of accounts. Edward has four siblings living at home; Louise born in Liverpool in 1889 is a clerk, Eveline born in Liverpool in 1891 is shown as an attendant, Winifred born in Wallasey is a student at a technical school and Francis born in 1899 in Liverpool. His grandfather now aged 84 is also still with the family.

The 1914 Gores directory shows his father Richard, a collector living at St. Paul's Road, Seacombe.

Edward enlisted in Liverpool in November 1914 and served in the 20th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 22821.

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th 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. He arrived in France on 07^th November 1915.

He was killed in action on the 18th October 1916, aged 22, during the Battle of the Transloy Ridges which was part of the ongoing Somme Offensive.

Ted's death was reported in the Wallasey News:

Killed By A Shell

Seacombe Soldier’s Fate

Mr and Mrs R.T. Roberts, of 27, St. Paul’s Road, Seacombe, have received official notification that their eldest son, Private Edward Ernest (Ted) Roberts, of the King’s Liverpool Regiment, was killed in action by a heavy shell on October 18th.

Writing to deceased’s sister, a comrade says:- “It is with deep regret that I write these few lines regarding the death of your beloved brother, Ted. It is a safe thing to say that death was instantaneous, being killed by the explosion of a heavy shell. Probably it may interest you to know that previous to going in the trenches Ted went to church. He was well liked by everybody who knew him.”

Twenty-two years of age, Private Roberts enlisted in November, 1914, and went out a year later to France, where he had been up to the day he was killed. A former St. Francis Xaviers’ boy, he regularly attended St. Joseph’s Church, Seacombe. He was connected with the dental profession. 

His death was also reported in the Birkenhead News on 15th November 1916: 

KILLED BY A SHELL 

The sad intelligence has been received by Mr and Mrs R. T. Roberts of 27 St Paul's Road, Seacombe, of the death of their eldest son Private Edward E. Roberts (Ted) of the K.L.R.,  who was killed in action on October 19th(sic). He was educated at St Francis Xavier College, Liverpool and was just completing his apprenticeship with Mr Schultz, dentist, Norton Street, Liverpool. He joined the colours on November 10, 1914, and went out to France November 15, 1915. He attended St Joseph's Church, Seacombe. 

His body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, to the Missing of the Somme, France.

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.”

Soldiers Effects were sent to his father Richard, no Pension record found. 

His parents appear on the 1939 register at 11 Stourcliffe Road, Wallasey. Richard T, date of birth shown as 08th February 1862, Mary L., date of birth shown as  27th November 1864, and daughter Winifred.   

His father died in the December quarter of 1941, aged 79. 

His mother died in 1943, aged 78. 

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