Pte 48269 Joseph Jefferey Strawson

• Age: 39
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Thursday 26th April 1917
• Commemorated at: Cherisy Rd East Cem, Heninel
  Panel Ref: 16

Joseph Jefferey Strawson was born in Liverpool on 10th August 1877, the son of Charles Strawson and his wife Mary (nee McManus). His parents married on the 11th May 1873 in Manchester Cathedral. He was baptised at St Fancis Xavier's Roman Catholic Church, Everton on 26th August 1877 as Josephus Jeffrey, his father is shown as Caroli and his mother as Marie.  

The 1881 Census shows the family living at 6 Cornwall Street, Everton. His father Charles is a 28 year old Coachsmith, mother Mary is aged 25, both parents were born in Liverpool. Also in the household are siblings; Charles 7 a scholar, Thomas 5 a scholar, Joseph 3 and Richard 1. They also have boarder Frederick Hemmings aged 25, also a coachsmith. 

By 1891 the family have moved to 26 Clifton Street, Everton. Father aged 35, and mother Mary aged 36 are present alongside siblings; Charles 17 a coach painters apprentice, Thomas 15 shop boy, Ann 9 a scholar, Mary 7 a scholar and Helena 2. There is no record of Richard who may have died. Joseph now aged 13 is shown as a Printer's apprentice. Richard, aged 11, was a scholar at the Liverpool Truants Industrial School in Hightown, he died aged 20 in 1899.  

Joseph had enlisted in the Army on 29th January 1900 joining the Royal Irish Rifles as Private 7929. His papers show him to be 22 years of age, is 5'6 and 3/4s tall, weighed 118lbs with a 33 inch chest. He has a fresh complexion with brown eyes and dark brown hair. He was posted to the 1st Battalion on 16th February 1900. He served in South Africa and upon his return home his papers show:

"Discharged at own request on return from South Africa, his services not being further required"  30th November 1900.

He qualified for Queen's South Africa medal with clasps for Cape Colony, Wittebergen and Belfast

On the 1901 Census Joseph is aged 23 and employed as a general labourer living at 34 Abram Street, Everton. His father, Charles, is a 45 year old coach fitter,  whilst his mother, Mary, is 48, sisters Annie 19 a tobacco spinner, Mary T. 17 a tobacco spinner, Helena 12, Sarah E. 9 and Margaret 7 (all children were born in Liverpool).

He re-enlisted with the same regiment in 1902 as Private 8013 Royal Irish Rifles. He qualified for the South Africa 1902 clasp under his original service number 7929. 

Joseph, of 20 Thorncliff Street, married Ann Goodwin of 25 Roscommon Street, on 14th October 1908 at All Souls Church, Collingwood Street, Liverpool. They went on to have four children; Anthony born in the September quarter of 1909, Joseph born in the December quarter of 1911, Bernard born in the December quarter of 1913 and Agnes born in the June quarter of 1916. 

The 1911 Census shows Joseph and his family living at 132 Limekiln, Liverpool. Joseph is now 33 years of age and employed as a general labourer. His wife Ann is 28 and their son Anthony is 1. 

He enlisted in Liverpool and was serving with the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 48269 when he was killed in action, aged 39. 

The 18th Battalion diary does not feature any casualties on 26th April 1917.

Joseph now rests at Cherisy Road East Cemetery, Heninel, France. He rests alongside Bertram Kemp also of the 18th Battalion who was killed in action on the same day. 

The village of Heninel was captured in a snowstorm on 12 April 1917 by the 56th (London) and 21st Division. The 50th (Northumbrian) Division, advancing from Heninel on the two following days, captured Wancourt Tower. Cherisy Road East Cemetery was made by the 30th and 33rd Division Burial Officers in April 1917. The cemetery contains 82 First World War burials, 19 of which are unidentified.

Soldiers Effects and Pension to widow Ann and children Anthony, Joseph, Bernard and Agnes.

Joseph is commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall on Panel 38 Left.

His widow remarried in 1922 to James Thomson and had two children; Gerard born in the March quarter of 1923 and John born in the December quarter of 1924.

The CWGC records show his parents as still living in Liverpool and his widow Annie has remarried, now Thomson, and living at 5 Penrhyn Street. 

His father died in 1930, aged 74 and his mother in 1962 with probate going to son John.

Grateful thanks to Rose and Paul Hurley on Ancestry for kind permission to use the wonderful photograph of Joseph now on this site.

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