Pte 15291 Albert Rymill

• Age: 27
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 29th April 1918
• Commemorated at: Tyne Cot Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 31-34

Albert Rymill was born in the 4th Quarter of 1890 in Liverpool and was the son of Frederick Charles and Elizabeth (nee Wilson) Rymill, who married in Ripon, Yorkshire in September 1878.

The 1891 Census shows the family are living at 8 Rupert Grove, Everton.
The father aged 40, is a joiner by trade and was born in Banbury, Oxfordshire and his wife Elizabeth is a 38 year old, born in Ripon, Yorkshire. They have three children who were all born in Liverpool, Albert is 6mths old, and has two older siblings; Walter aged 7 and Annie aged 4.

By 1901 the family have moved to 67 Stanfield Road, Everton. 

On the 1911 census the family are still at the same address.
The father now aged 61, a joiner and his wife Elizabethis aged 57 with no occupation listed. They have had eight children of which four had died. At the taking of the Census their children are all still living at home,  Walter aged 27 a joiner, Annie 24 is a dressmaker, Albert is 20 and a stationer, and Arthur 18 is a shipping clerk.

The mother died in March 1913 aged 59.

Liverpool Echo 11th Mar 1913

RYMILL - March 9, at 67 Stanfield Road, Everton, Elizabeth, the beloved wife of Frederick Rymill, aged 59 years. Interment at Anfield Cemetery tomorrow.

The father died in December 1914 aged 65.

Liverpool Echo 26th Nov 1914

RYMILL - November 24 at 67 Stanfield Road, Everton, aged 65 years, Frederick Rymill. Interment Anfield Cemetery, Saturday next 3 o'clock.

Prior to the outbreak of war he was employed by Cunard as a Stationer. 

He enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool and was serving in the 17^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 15291 when he was killed in action on the 29^th April 1918, aged 27, during the German Spring Offensive. Details of the action were recorded in the battalion diary:

By the 25^th April the battalion had taken up positions of readiness in the Voormezeele sector. According to the battalion War Diary, on the night of the 27^th, at 8.30 p.m. they moved to the line to relieve 4^th Bn, relief completed about 1 a.m.

28^th – At about 1 p.m. a company of composite battalion gave way on the left of our line and the Bosche penetrated from the Canal Bank to the left of my battalion front, which position he maintained despite 5 hours fighting. My reserve company was ordered to counter-attack and restore the position at 7.45 p.m. but enemy laid down a barrage at 7.43 a.m. and the counter attack was unable to proceed. The enemy bombardment lasted until 10.30 p.m. and I then organised a defensive flank.

29^th – At 3.30 a.m. heavy enemy bombardment opened, followed later (9.00 a.m.) by enemy attack and our line was forced back to G.H.Q.1 where I organised and held on to the position. The enemy got through on both flanks practically surrounding 2 of my companies. ‘A’ company was actually surrounded and after severe fighting were captured. 

Albert has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

Those United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after August 16th 1917 are named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war.

The Tyne Cot Memorial now bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Joseph Armitage and F.V. Blundstone, was unveiled by Sir Gilbert Dyett on 20 June 1927.

The memorial forms the north-eastern boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery, which was established around a captured German blockhouse or pill-box used as an advanced dressing station.

He is commemorated on the Cunard Staff Memorial now housed in Our Lady and St Nicholas Church, Liverpool. 

His sister Annie requested information in the Liverpool Echo 1st Oct 1918

MISSING - INFORMATION WANTED.

RYMILL - Pte ALBERT RYMILL, K.L.R., reported missing April 29. Any information will be gratefully received by his sister at 77 Belmont Road or at 67 Stanfield Road, Everton. 

Soldiers Effects to brothers Walter and Arthur, sister Annie, no Pension record found.

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