1885 - 1916
CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916
Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916
Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916
Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918
Pte 17468 Walter Stirrup
- Age: 24
- From: Liverpool
- Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
- D.O.W Thursday 13th January 1916
- Commemorated at: Carnoy Mil Cem
Panel Ref: O.10
Walter Stirrup was born on the 14th November 1891 in Liverpool and was baptised 09th December 1891 at St Martin in the Fields Church. At the time of his baptism the family lived at 10 Furlong Street, and his father was employed as a carter. Walter was the youngest of 9 children born to William and his wife, Elizabeth (nee Lyon). His parents married at St John's Church, Liverpool in 1871. His known siblings were Mary, Thomas, Peter, William (who died in infancy) Clara, William, Margaret and Elizabeth (Lizzie).
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family are still living at 10 Furlong Street, Liverpool, without the three eldest children who have presumably married. Walter is 9 years of age. His father William is a 53 year old carter, whilst his mother Elizabeth is aged 54. His siblings are listed as; Clara, aged 21, a boot shop assistant, William 17 a carter, Margaret is 15 and Elizabeth is 12.
By 1911, the family have moved and live at 25 Conyers Street, Kirkdale, when Walter is a 19 year old clerk with a cold storage company. His father, William, is a 64 year old wool porter, his mother Elizabeth is 64. They declare that they have been married for 39 years and have had nine children of whom eight have survived. His siblings who are still in the household are listed as; William 27 a carter, Margaret 25 a forewoman and Elizabeth 22,
On 02nd September 1914, he enlisted at St. George's Hall in Liverpool, joining the 19th Battalion as Private 17468. He gave his age as 22 years and 290 days and his occupation as clerk in a cold storage company. He was described as being 5'8" tall, weighing 124 lbs, 36” chest, with a fair complexion, grey eyes, and light brown hair. He gave his religion as Church of England and his next of kin as his mother, Elizabeth, 25 Conyers Street.
Formed on 07th September 1914 the 19th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th 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.
His records show that while at Grantham he was absent without leave for 12 hours on 30th May 1915 and was confined to barracks for 4 days and forfeited 1 day’s pay. On 12th October 1915 at Larkhill he was charged with “not complying with a lawful order - having the safety catch off on his rifle while on parade - but this charge was dismissed.
On 7th November 1915, he arrived in France with the BEF and was wounded in the neck and arm by a rifle grenade on 12th January 1916, he died the following day on 13th January 1916, aged 24.
Walter now rests at Carnoy Military Cemetery, Grave O 10, France. The Inscription on his headstone reads:
"THY WILL BE DONE".
The cemetery was begun in August 1915, by the 2nd King's Own Scottish Borderers and the 2nd King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, when the village was immediately South of the British front line. It continued in use by troops holding this sector until July 1916, when Field Ambulances came up and a camp was established on the higher ground North of the village. It was closed in March 1917. From March to August 1918, it was in German hands, and German (and a few British) graves were made between the British graves and the entrance, and also in a German Cemetery alongside; but the German graves and the German Cemetery were removed in 1924.
There are now over 850, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, nearly 30 are unidentified and special memorials are erected to 17 soldiers and one airman from the United Kingdom, known or believed to be buried among them.
The cemetery covers an area of 4,441 square metres and is enclosed by a red brick wall.
His funeral service was conducted by Reverend W. J. Warner, attached to the 21st Infantry Brigade. .
His death is mentioned in the Battalion war diary as follows:
In the trenches at Carnoy,
12th January 1916: "No.17468 Private W. Stirrup wounded in the neck and arm by Rifle Grenade."
His death was also reported in the Liverpool Echo:
"Official information has been received by his mother that Private Walter Stirrup, 19th Battalion King's (Liverpool) Regiment (the 3rd "Pals"), has died of wounds in France. He enlisted in September 1914. An officer, writing to Mrs.Stirrup, says:-"He was on duty in a listening post, when he was severely hit in the neck and arm by a rifle grenade exploding in his trench. He died as a result of his wounds the next morning. We were all very sorry to lose him, as he was one of the best, and you have every reason to be proud of your son." He was twenty-four years of age, and prior to the war was employed as a clerk by the United Cold Storage Company, Canada Dock branch. He resided with his mother at 25,Conyers-street, Kirkdale, Liverpool".
A page of his service record shows that on 23/03/1916 J. M. Holt, of 15 Hamilton Road, New Brighton, asked Infantry Records how to communicate with Walter's family. L/Cpl. 17373 Felix Holt of this address served in the same battalion as Walter so it appears they were friends. He had enlisted on 03rd September 1914 and suffered shellshock from a minenwerfer hit on a dugout on 22nd January 1916, a few days after Walter died. Felix was discharged on 24th December 1916 with a Silver War Badge.
Walter's personal effects were sent to his mother in April 1916 (details illegible). She acknowledged receipt and wrote, "Should you come across Pocket Book belonging to deceased, please forward same as we value it and papers which it should contain." It is not known whether his family received the pocket book.
He was awarded all three war medals.
His outstanding Army pay and a War Gratuity of £5-10s went to his mother, who was awarded a pension of 12/6d a week in April 1917.
His parents received the Memorial Plaque and Scroll.
The Liverpool Echo dated 14th January 1918 carried a tribute from his sister Clara who also recorded the death of her husband:
STIRRUP & JONES – In sad but loving remembrance of my brother Walter Stirrup (KLR) who died of wounds Jan 15 1916. Also my dear husband Frank Jones (RAMC) who died of wounds November 21 1917. (Their duty nobly done) Always remembered by Clara and Frankie 377 Borough Road, Birkenhead.
In 1919 his parents still lived at 25 Conyers Street with William, 36. His other brothers lived in Liverpool: Thomas, 45, in Bousfield Street, and Peter, 43, in Eton Street. Three of his sisters also lived in Liverpool: Mary Hesford, 46, in Crete Street, Clara Jones, 39, in Earle Road, Margaret Godding, 32, in Sandheys Street, and Lizzie Preston, 30, lived in Devonshire Road, Birkenhead.
Liverpool Evening Express 14th Nov 1919
STIRRUP – Nov. 14, in loving birthday remembrance of Walter, late 3rd Pal's, killed in action, Jan. 13, 1916. (Always lovingly remembered by his mother, father, and brother, 25 Conyers Street, Kirkdale.)
STIRRUP - In loving birthday remembrance of my brother, Walter, who died of wounds, Jan. 13, 1916. (Sweet memories are often recalled with many a tear.) - Will never be forgotten by his sister and loving nephew Frank, 1 Earl Road.
He is commemorated on the family gravestone in Anfield Cemetery -
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
WALTER
THE BELOVED SON OF
WILLIAM & ELIZABETH STIRRUP
OF 19th KING'S L'POOL REGt.
KILLED IN ACTION & BURIED AT CARNOY, FRANCE
13th JANy 1916, AGED 24 YEARS
"THY WILL BE DONE"
We currently have no further information on Walter Stirrup, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.
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