Alexander Vernon McGeachie was born in Wybunbury, Cheshire, on 08th August 1887, the youngest son of Alexander McGeachie and his wife Hannah (née Smith). His birth was registered as Vernon Alexander. His father, a merchant mariner, found on crew lists as a fireman, was born about 1858 in Leith, Scotland, and his mother in 1862 in Basford, Cheshire.  They married in 1883 in St. Mary’s, Kirkdale.  The last name is shown with various spellings in records and transcripts. They had three children before his father tragically died:  Mary Ann, born in 1883, and William, 1885 (who died in infancy), both born in Liverpool, and Alex, born in Cheshire.

 

The 1891 census finds Alekander V. McGettie (sic), age listed as 4, living with his mother Hannah, and widowed grandfather Vernon Smith, 63, a publican/hotel keeper, in Wybunbury. Also in the household is granddaughter Clara Smith, 17, a domestic servant, two servants/farm labourers, and a visitor, Vernon Smith, 15, an apprentice fitter, born in Crewe. His sister Mary Ann, 7, is living with their paternal grandparents William and Mary McGeachie, both born in Scotland, in Leyden Street, Kirkdale.  

His grandmother Mary Ann McGeachie died in 1899, age 60, and grandfather William McGeachie in 1904, age 66.  Both were buried in public graves in Kirkdale Cemetery.

Mary emigrated to the United States in 1905 and married George Kutcher in 1906.

 

After his mother married George Burton Nowers in 1892 in Liverpool, it appears that Alex went to live with his maternal grandfather in Wybunbury.

 

‘Vernon Alex McGeachie’ is listed on the roll of the Delves Charity School in Wybunbury from April 1893, his father’s name shown as V. Smith.

 

Alex has not been found on the 1901 census.  He would have been 13 years old.  His grandfather Vernon Smith, now remarried, with daughter Lilly Smith, 19, is living in The Village, Wynbury.  His grandfather, 74, is a publican and farmer. 

 

In 1901 his mother and George Nowers, a stone mason, with children Edith and Frederick, are living in Moorfields, Wistaston, Cheshire. George Nowers died in 1908.

 

By 1911 Alex is living with his mother at 77 Winslow Street, Walton, yards from Goodison Park. Hannah Nowers is 48, son Frederick Rowland Nowers, 14, born in Beswick, Manchester, is a grocer’s assistant, daughter Lilian Nowers, born in Willaston, Cheshire, is 7.  Alexander (listed as step son) is 22, employed as a time-keeper for a shipping company. At the time of his enlistment he was working for Cunard.

 

He enlisted at St George's Hall Liverpool on 31st August 1914 joining the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 17075. His service papers show that Alexander was 5'4" inches tall, weighed 137lbs and was a clerk prior to enlisting. He gives as next of kin his mother Hannah, 77 Winslow Street, Walton, her address later changed to 25 Catherine Street, Liverpool. After his mother’s death Mr. G. Kutcher (husband of sister Mary) 168 Willow Street, Bloomfield, New Jersey, became his next of kin.

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th 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. 

Between 27 - 31 August 1915  he was treated at the Auxiliary Hospital at Belton Park, Grantham with Scabies.

He was transferred to the 21st (Reserve) Battalion on 07th November 1915 when most of his Pals were arriving in France.

Between 28/12/15 - 26/01/1916 he was again hospitalised, initially at Seaforth then onto Litchfield on 31/12/15, this time with Gonorrhea.

Alexander was reposted to the 18th Battalion on 15th March 1916 when he embarked for France. He was almost immediately hospitalised on 18th March 1916 with a recurrance of Scabies. He was appointed paid Lance Corporal almost immediately upon his arrival in France but reverted to the rank of Private on 27th May 1916.  

He was wounded on 01st July 1916 during the attack on Montauban, the opening day of the Battle of the Somme, receiving a gunshot wound to the right forearm and was hospitalised on 03rd July 1916. He returned to the UK on 05th July aboard the SS Maraha. After treatment he spent a period in convalescence at Eastbourne until 21st August 1916. 

He was then transferred to the 21st Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment on 31st August 1916 before another switch this time to the 3rd Battalion of the KLR on 19th September 1916. He was posted overseas on 14th November 1916, arriving at Etaples on 15th November 1916. He was immediately posted to the 12th Battalion KLR before being transferred to the 13th Bn of the KLR on 25th November 1916.

Alex was killed in action with the 13th Battalion on the 09th April 1917 the opening day of the Battle of Arras and was buried in a small cemetery near to where he fell. After the war when graves were concentrated, his body was exhumed and reinterred in Tilloy British Cemetery where his now rests, his headstone bears the epitaph:

"THY WILL BE DONE"

 

His death was announced in the Liverpool Echo on 07th May 1917:

“April 9, killed in action, Private Alex McGeachie (K.L.R.), of 77 Winslow Street, Walton (late of Cunard office, Derby Road). (One of the best.)”

 

His mother, Hannah was awarded an allowance in respect of her son on 18th June 1917. Sadly she died, aged 54, on 27th June 1917 just days after being awarded the allowance. Her beneficiary was son Fred, of the R.N.D. who was Alex's half brother.  Fred Nowers received the War Gratuity of £12.


Alex’s Army effects were shared between his siblings Mary Kutcher, Edith Culp, and Lilian and Fred  Nowers (who was by then in the U.S.A.). His medals were despatched to his sister Mary Kutcher who was living at 21 Thornton Street, Bloomfield in New Jersey USA. 

 

Alex is commemorated locally on the  following Memorials:

St Luke's Church, Walton 

 

Cunard Staff WW1 and WW2 Memorial situated inside the Church of Our Lady and St Nicholas, Liverpool.

 

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