Pte 15224 Lancelot Dean

• Age: 35
• From: Bebington
• Regiment: 13th KLR
• Died on Friday 4th October 1918
• Commemorated at: Ribecourt Railway Cem
  Panel Ref: B.16

Lancelot was born in the first quarter of 1883 at Bebington the son of Joel Frederick and Thomasina Dean. He was baptised at St Andrew's Church, Bebington on 13th February 1883.

The 1891 Census shows the family living at Bromborough Road, Lower Bebington. Lancelot is 8 years of age and a scholar. His father, Joel Frederick, is shown as a Warehouse keeper born in Walton, Liverpool in 1854, whilst his mother was born in New Ferry, Cheshire in 1855. His siblings are listed as follows; Joel b.1877, Ann Mellor b.1879, Robert K. b.1881, Harold Stewart b. 1885, William b. 1887 and George Frederick b. 1888. There is also a servant and a cook listed.

The 1901 Census finds the family living at 226 Bedford Road, Birkenhead. Both parents are resident and Lancelot is now 18 and shown as a Cotton Broker. His siblings still listed at the family home are; Joel, Anne, Harold, George and William. There is alos a visitor listed.

On 17th April 1902 Lancelot attested at Manchester and joined the Army Service Corps ar Private 480. He is listed as joined on 19th April at Aldershot. His service record shows that he served in South Africa during the Boer War from 03rd May 1902 - 02/04/1903 when he returned to the UK. He qualified for the South Africa Medal  and was awardeda  War Gratuity of £5.00. 

His father died in the September quarter of 1910, aged 56.

The 1911 Census finds the family are now living at 26 Chatsworth Road, Rock Ferry. His mother is a widow shown with her name as Ina. Lancelot has obviously returned to the Cotton trade as he is shown as a 28 year old and a salesman in raw cotton. Also present in the household are siblings George Frederick and Ina Margaret b. 1892.

He married Ethel Rees in Birkenhead in the second quarter of 1914. 

He enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool, one of the Cotton Contingent joining the 17th Battalion as Private 15224.

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th 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 7^th November 1915.

Lancelot was subsequently transferred to the 13th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment and was killed in action on 04th October 1918, aged 35.

He now rests at Ribecourt Railway Cemetery.

Ribecourt village was captured by the 9th Norfolks (6th Division) on the morning of 20 November 1917. It was lost in March 1918, but recaptured by the 3rd Division on 27 September 1918. The Railway Cemetery was made by the 3rd Division in October 1918.

The cemetery contains 53 First World War burials, one of which is unidentified.

The cemetery was designed by N A Rew.     

His widow Ethel was listed as living at 18 Allcott Avenue, Higher Tranmere. Family trees show his widow Ethel moving to California where she married Herbert Francis Bradburne in 1932. She died 1954

His mother died in the December quarter of 1927, aged 73. 

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