Lieut John Alexander Threlfall

• Age: 37
• From: Alexandria, Egypt
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Friday 10th May 1918
• Commemorated at: Arneke British Cem
  Panel Ref: II.E.16

John Alexander Threlfall was born in 1881 in Alexandria, Egypt and was the son of John Charles Threlfall and his wife Marie Anna Eugenie (nee Minotto) of Prenton.

1891 Census  - 9 Kingland Road, Tranmere  -  Parents John C. 41 book keeper born Upholland, Marie A. 35 born Alexandria, with children John Alexander 10 a scholar born Alexandria, Mary M. 7 born Ramleh, Alexandria, Henry C. born Ramleh, Alexandria . There are also two servants in the household.

1901 Census  -  15 Alton Road, Oxton, Birkenhead  -  Parents with John Alexander, born Africa 1881, aged 20 and an East Indian merchants clerk, Mary Minotto born Africa 1884  and Henry Charles also born Africa 1887. There are also three servants in the household and one visitor recorded. 

1911 Census  -  6 Silverdale Road, Oxton, Birkenead  -  Parents with John Alexander, Mary Minotto and Henry Charles. Henry Charles was a student in Holy Orders and John Alexander was a sugar refiner’s bookeeper . His father was a sugar refiners manager. His mother was Greek. His parents advised that they had been married for 31 years. There are again three servants listed at the property.

His father died 16th March 1913 in Llandudno (probate).

In November 1915, he joined the Inns of Court OTC, and after Commissioning was Gazetted to the 9th Battalion The King’s Liverpool Regiment. He crossed to France in October 1916 and was wounded in action in April 1917. He was evacuated to England and returned to duty in November 1917.

Details of his wounding was reported in the Birkenhead News 18th April 1917

YOUNG PRENTON OFFICER WOUNDED

Intelligence was received on Friday last by Mrs Threlfall of 33 Elm Road North, Prenton, that her son Second Lieutenant John A. Threlfall, who is in France, has received a severe gunshot wound. A later telegram, however, has come through containing more reassuring news to the effect that the young Lieutenant is improving.

Lieut. J.A. Threlfall who is the elder son of the late Mr J C Threlfall of Oxton and of Mrs Threlfall joined the Inns of Court in November 1915, being duly gazetted to the King's Liverpool Regt. and proceeded to the front last October. Prior to joining Lieut. Threlfall was with the firm Messrs H. Tate sugar refiners, where his father was for many years, manager.    

It is not known when he joined the 18th Battalion however, and he may have attached just before he received his fatal wounds. He is only mentioned once in the 18th Battalion War Diary, on the 10th May 1918,when his death from wounds was recorded. There is no prior mention of him being wounded.

At this time the Battalion was serving on the Ypres Salient of Belgium, and had just come out of the line, having fought around Ridge Wood during the Battle of Scherpenberg, so it is possible that he received his fatal wounds during this time. He was aged thirty seven when he died of wounds on the 10^th May 1918.

He now rests at Arneke British Cemetery, France. Plot II, Row E, Grave 16.. where his headstone bears the epitaph:

“HENCEFORTH THERE IS LAID UP FOR THEE THE CROWN OF LIFE”

The cemetery was begun by the 13th Casualty Clearing Station which moved to Arneke from the Proven area in October 1917. It was joined by the 10th and 44th Clearing Stations in April 1918. The cemetery was used by these hospitals until the end of May, and again from July to September 1918 by the 62nd (1/2nd London) Clearing Station. In November it was used for a short time by the 4th and 10th Stationary Hospitals. A few French soldiers were buried from clearing stations in April 1918 and French units buried in Plots IV and V at the north-west end of the cemetery, mainly in May and June 1918. Arneke British Cemetery contains 435 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and five from the Second World War. There are also 126 French and five German war graves. The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker.

John Alexander's death was reported in the Liverpool Echo  on14th May 1918

DIED FROM WOUNDS -

THRELFALL – May 10 died from wounds received in action Lieutenant John Alexander Threlfall – KLR.  The dearly beloved and eldest son of the late John Charles Threlfall of 33 Elm Road North, Prenton.

It was also reported in the Birkenhead News on 18th May 1918

LOCAL OFFICER DIES OF WOUNDS

Mrs Threlfall, of 33 Elm Road has received the official intelligence that her son, Lieutenant John A. Threlfall of the King's Liverpool Regiment, succumbed on May 10th from wounds received in action. Lieutenant Threlfall was severely wounded in April of last year and returned to France in November. He was home for a short period on leave in March. Lieutenant Threlfall was the eldest son of the late Mr J. C. Threlfall of Oxton and of Mrs Threlfall, joined the Inns of Court in November 1915, being duly gazetted to the King's Liverpool Regt., and proceeded to the front in October 1916. Prior to joining, Lieutenant Threlfall was with the firm of Messrs. H. Tate and Co., the well-known sugar refiner's where his father was for many years manager.

Soldiers Effects to Miss Marie Minotto Threlfall, no Pension record.

Probate for John Alexander Threlfall of 33 Elm Road North, Prenton was to his sister Marie Minotto Threlfall, Spinster – Effects £673.4.9d

John is commemorated on the Memorial at St Stephen's Church, Prenton 

His mother died on 12th March 1925 in Birkenhead (probate).

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