Capt Arthur de Bells Adam (MC)
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

2nd Lieutenant Lionel Richard Thacker King

Age: 26
From: West Kirby, Cheshire
Regiment: RNAS
Died on Friday 3rd May 1918
Commemorated at: St Bridget West Kirby
Panel Ref: 757

Lionel Richard Thacker King was born on 11th February 1892 at Sandfield House, West Kirby, Cheshire, the son of Dr. Richard Thacker King and his wife Mary Louisa (née Felton), both born in Dublin. They married in 1884 and soon after the marriage moved to England and had six children, two of whom died young.

Their first child, William Thacker, was born in 1885 in Brackley, Northamptonshire, where his father was a surgeon. William sadly died at four months old in Lisburn, Northern Ireland.

Soon after, they moved to Liverpool, where George Charles was born in 1886 (his parents living at 118 Mount Pleasant). Before long they moved to West Kirby in Cheshire, where four more children were born: Dorothy Louisa in 1888, Violet Eleanor in 1890 (who sadly died at age 2), Lionel in 1892, and Sydney William in 1894.

His father practised medicine in West Kirby for many years, the family living in Grange Road, Hoylake.

At the time of the 1901 census, three of the children, Dorothy, 13, Lionel, 9, and Sydney, 7, are living with their cousin Eva Newson, 25, born in Ireland, and three servants, in Grange Road.

His parents are listed as boarders in the Grand Hotel in St. Andrew, Newcastle Upon Tyne. George has not been found on the census; he would have been 14 years old, so perhaps he was away at school.

In 1911 Lionel is living with his parents in Sandfield House, 2 Grange Road, a large, 12-room house, with two servants. His father, 52, is a physician and surgeon, his mother is 53. Lionel is 19, an apprentice cotton broker.

He completed his four year apprenticeship in May 1913.

When he was 22, he enlisted at St George's Hall, in Liverpool on 01st September 1914 as Private 15936 joining the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment. Part of the cotton contingent. He is described as being 6’ and quarter of an inch tall, weighing 145 lbs with a fresh complexion, grey eyes, and fair hair. He gives as next of kin his father Dr. R. T. King, Sandfield House.

On the day of his enlistment he was promoted to Company Quarter Master Sergeant.

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 07^th November 1915.

His service papers show that on 05th March 1916 he was evacuated to the U.K. on the Hospital Ship Morea.

On 10th August 1916 he was discharged from service as being no longer physically fit for war service.

He was awarded a disability pension of pension 31/- a week from 11th August 1916.

Lionel re-enlisted in the R.N.AS, and obtained a commission as flight sub-lieutenant in October, 1917. After a course of training he proceeded to Cranwell, obtained his certificate as an air pilot, and in March, 1918, was sent to Gosport for special training, and was appointed instructor in stunt flying at Redcar. He arrived at the latter place on April 26th 1918, and on May 03rd 1918 he was killed through his machine (Avro 504 B4314) crashing to ground whislt demonstrating to a pupil.

That pupil was Lt Edmund Gabriel Rice RAF, aged 18, of Mansfield, Stoke Green, Coventry. He now rests at London Road Cemetery, Coventry.

He now rests at St Bridget's Church, West Kirby, Cheshire.

There are 11 First and Second World War burials in the Churchyard.

His death was reported in the local press under the header:

WEST KIRBY DOCTOR'S BEREAVEMENT

GALLANT AIRMAN KILLED

IMPRESSIVE SCENES AT FUNERAL

The sympathy of the whole district went out to Dr and Mrs Thacker King, Grange Road, West Kirby, when it became known that their second son, Lieut- instructor Lionel Richard Thacker King, of the Royal Air Service, had been killed on Friday through an accident while flying. the family have previously suffered bereavement through the death of another son in the Dardenelles campaign. Lieut King joined the Army at the beginning of the war, at that time throwing in his lot with the Liverpool "Pals". He quickly merited promotion, and attained the rank of quatermaster sergeant. After serving a few months in the fighting zone he became ill, and underwent a severe operation. Later on he was discharged, but careful nursing restored his health, and he could not resist an impulse to join the Royal Air Force. In the latter his rank was that of lieutenant instructor, and those qualified to judge assert that he was a brilliant flyer. On the day of the fatality he had taken up a pupil, and both were instantaneously killed.

On Wednesday afternoon crowds of peopleassembled in the vicinity of deceased's residence, the route of the funeral procession (The Crescent, Banks Road, Westbourne Road, and Church Road) also being lined with sympathetic spectators. A contingent of soldiers of the Border Regiment led the cortege, and the caskert, which rested upon a gun carriage, was covered with the White Ensign and and escorted by eight officers of the R.A.S. from Hooton. Lieuts. Fulford, Delaney, Hall, Dunn, English, Dean, Garfield and Henderson - in command of Lieut Shipwright. A firing party and bugler's from the 3rd Border Regiment in charge of Lieut Le Mey, were in attendance, the chief mourners walking immediately behind the gun carriage followed by a detachment of men from the BRC Cheshire 17 V.A.D., in charge of Commandant H.F. Hough, and a company of wounded soldiers from the Chalet Hospital, Hoylake.

The service at West Kirby Church was fully choral, the Rev Canon A J Blencowe M.A. officiating , and being assisted by the Revs W. Hollowell, S H Ward, J. Wright Davies, and Charles G. Postance. Pending the arrival of the cortege Dr Brierley played Chipps' In Memorium on the organ. The hymns sung during the service were "Abide With Me", and "Forever With The Lord." As the remains were borne from the church the organist played Chopin's "Marche Funebre." The customary bthree volleys were fired over the grave, and the sounding of the "Last Post" preceded by the singing of the "Sevenfold Amen" brought a most impressive ceremony to a close.

His father wrote to Liverpool Cathedral on 30th January 1923 regarding Lionel's name being added to the Cathedral Roll of Honour:

Dear Sir,

I am much obliged for your letter with regard to my son Lionel R.T. King and send the following particulars as you request.

His full name was Lionel Richard Thacker King and he was born at Sandfield House, West Kirby.

He was a Cotton Salesman with Wilson Hiles, Cotton Merchant's Liverpool and enlisted in the 17th King's Liverpool Regiment as a private on 31st August 1914, was promoted to the Rank of Coy Quatermaster-Sergeant and crossed over to France with the 30th Division on 7th November 1915.

He, whilst engaged on the Western Front contracted blood poisoning and was invalided out of the Army with a pension in 1917.

After a protracted illness he again re-enlisted in the R.N.A.S. and obtained a commission as Flight Sub Lieutenant in October 1917.

He obtained his certificate as air pilot in March 1918 and was killed on May 3rd at Redcar through his machine crashing to the ground.

I should greatly regret that his name should be omitted from the Cathedral Roll and thank you sincerely for the trouble you have taken in this matter.

Yours faithfully

R Thacker King

Lionel is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

West Kirby War Memorial Grange Hill, West Kirby

St Andrew's Church (Stained glass memorial to Lionel and his brother Sydney William), Meols Drive, West Kirby, Wirral

Sedbergh School War Memorial, In Hart House Library, Loftus Hill, Sedbergh

Sedbergh School Cloisters, Sedbergh School Busk Lane, Sedbergh

Liverpool Cotton association War Memorial, Walker House, Exchange Passage West, Liverpool

Liverpool Cathedral Roll of Honour

Probate in the amount of £366-7s-6d was granted to his father (Lionel’s rank shown as 2nd Lt., R.A.F.).

Lionel was not the only loss the family suffered in the war. His younger brother Sydney served as a 2nd Lt. in the 1/4th Cheshire Regiment, and fell in action at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli, on 10th August 1915 aged 20. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial.

His elder brother George served during the war as a Captain with the 2nd West Lancs Field Ambulance, R.A.M.C. George survived the war, married and had two children and practiced medicine in West Kirby. He contracted an infection, developed pneumonia, and died on 04th July 1921 aged 35.

His sister Dorothy had married in 1911 to Geoffrey Meadows Frost (who would serve as a Lt. Colonel in the Cheshire Regiment and survive the war). Her brother-in-law, Captain Evelyn F. M. Frost, 5th Bn Highland Light Infantry, was also killed at Gallipoli, on 20th December 1915. He was 37 years old and is commemorated in Lancashire Landing Cemetery.

Dorothy’s son, Lionel’s nephew, Sydney Frost, served in World War Two as a Lieutenant in the 2nd Bn. Royal Ulster Rifles. He fell in action in Normandy on 27th June 1944 at the age of 21. Sydney is commemorated in La Delivrande War Cemetery, Douvres, near Caen.

His father died on 25th July 1934, probate nearly £40,000 (over £3 million today).

16th November 1934

KING Richard Thacker of Sandfield House, West Kirby, Cheshire, died 25 Jul 1934. Probate London 9 Nov to Geoffrey Meadows Frost, merchant, Arthur Kentish Barnes, company director and Leslie Jennings, chartered accountant.

Effects £39,853 14s 5d.

George’s son, John Lionel, earned a degree from Oxford, went to Sandhurst, and was commissioned with the Royal Welch Fusiliers. He landed in France on 23rd September 1939, was wounded on 25th May 1940 and evacuated to the U.K. After a spell as an OCTU instructor at Sandhurst, he landed at Normandy with the 7th R.W.F. on 25th June 1944. He survived the war as Acting Major, was awarded the M.B.E., and resigned his commission in 1947.

His mother Mary saw the end of the Second World War in Europe, and died on 21st May 1945.

All three brothers are commemorated on the CWGC and on the family grave in St. Bridget’s Churchyard, West Kirby. The epitaph reads:

WHO WHEN THE CALL CAME ANSWERED “HERE I AM”

Lionel and Sidney are commemorated on the Sedbergh school chapel plaque -

IN LOVING MEMORY OF TWO BROTHERS

WHO, WHEN THE CALL CAME, ANSWERED 'HERE I AM'

LIONEL RICHARD THACKER KING

(AT THE SCHOOL 1906-1909)

LIEUT. INSTRUCTOR R.A.F.

KILLED WHILE FLYING MAY 3RD 1918

SIDNEY WILLIAM THACKER KING

(AT THE SCHOOL 1918-1914)

HEAD OF THE SCHOOL 1912-1914

SCHOLAR-ELECT OF CAIUS COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE

2ND LIEUT. 1/4TH BN. CHESHIRE REGIMENT

KILLED AT SUVLA BAY, AUGUST 12TH 1915

The extract below was taken from Liverpool's Scroll of Fame.

The fate of Lieutenant Lional Richard Thacker Jones was a particulary sad one. After serving in the ranks from the opening day of the war he was invalided out of the army, but rejoined the forces subsequently, gained his pilots certificate in the Royal Naval Air Force, and was killed in an accident while instructing a pupil six months before hostilities ceased. He was then twenty six years of age, and his untimely death was all the more distressing as he was the second of two brothers who laid down their lives in the cause of justice and right. They were the sons of Dr. Richard Thacker King, of Sandfield House, West Kirby, Cheshire.

Lionel King was at Sedbergh School (Hart House) from September, 1906 to April, 1909. Destined for a business career he was obliged to leave school comparitively young. "But" says his master in appreciation of him, "his strong and simple character combined with an extraordinary charm of manner had made him a successful and popular school prefect by the time he was seventeen. Though he was somewhat delicate, and at no time during his school career a boy of robust build, he was a keen and successful athlete, gaining his second XV colours in his last year, and winning the quarter mile, 100 yards and broadjump in the school sports against considerably older competitors. He was always a keen member of the school Rifle Corps and was in the winning house section in his last year."

Leaving school young King served an apprenticeship with Wilson Hiles, Cotton Merchants, Liverpool, and at the time of the outbreak of war was Cotton Salesman with the firm. He did not hestitate when the call of duty came, and on August 31st, 1914, he enlisted as a private in the 17th King's (Liverpool Regiment)-the first Battalion of Pals." Proceeding to Prescot at the beginning of September he rose to the rank of Coy- Quartermaster-Sergeant, and early in 1915 went with the battalion to Grantham and thence to Salisbury Plain. He first crossed over to France on the 7th November, 1915, but whislt engaged on the Western Front he contracted blood-poisioning, and was sent in turn to hospitals at Rouen, Leeds and Liverpool. After undergoing three operations without effect he was invalided out of the Army with a pension early in 1917. Protracted illness followed, but he went through the ordeal of four more operations, which were performed at his own house, and eventually he recovered.

Not satisfied with the part he had already played in the world war, he re-enlisted in the R.N.AS, and obtained a commission as flight sub-lieutenant in October, 1917. After a course of training he proceeded to Cranwell, obtained his certificate as an air pilot, and in March, 1918, was sent to Gosport for special training, and was appointed instructor in stunt flying at Redcar. He arrived at the latter place on April 26th, and on May 3rd was killed through his machine crashing to ground whislt demonstrating to a pupil.

The circumstances of the accident are related in a letter which the Major at Redcar Air Stationsent to Dr King, in which he also paid a high tribute to the character of the young pilot, and also to his skill as an aviator. He stated "your son came to me at Cranwell to learn to fly, and he did extraordinary well. I got him his job here and he was absolutely "full out" and promised to be one of the finest pilots on the station, though he had only been here a few days. It seems terribly hard luck to meet his end so soon. He was killed in doing an ordinary spinning nose dive, which his pupil probably put him into, and had he been a few hundred feet higher he would certainly got out of it safely. We all feel his loss very greatly as he was an acquisition to the staff here, and was of the right stuff to makegood."
His Flight Commander in a message of sympathy stated " He joined me in my "flight" on Monday, and I was so pleased to have him, an excellent pilot and capable instructor. He was asked for by both of the other flight commanders, and I was the fortunate one. We are all very upset, and send you our deepest sympathies.

A fellow officer wrote, " I have lost my best friend here. He was a splendid fellow, always willing to help when help was needed."
Another companion at Cranwell remarked, " I am a Canadian, and I considered Lionel the truest friend I had in these isles. He was a man with many stirring and admirable qualities. In Lionel the Air Service have lost a pilot with splendid courage and determination, and you a beloved and dutiful son."
A nurse under whom he had been a patient at Rouen wrote, " He was so sunny and cheerful. The other patients in the ward thought the world of him. He was so natural and friendly with them, and yet they all looked up to him as a leader and had the greatest admiration for him. Quarter Master Sergeant was beloved by all.

We currently have no further information on Lionel Richard Thacker-King, 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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