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
Sgt 16164 Arthur Edwin Cowley
- Age: 29
- From: Walton, Liverpool
- Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
- K.I.A Saturday 1st July 1916
- Commemorated at: Danzig Alley Cem, Mametz
Panel Ref: VII.U.6
16164 Sergeant Arthur Edwin COWLEY, 18th Battalion, KLR.
Arthur Edwin was born in Arnot Street, Walton, Liverpool on 16th May 1887, the son of John Cowley and his wife Mary Jane (nee Brown) who were married on the 31st December 1871 at St Peter's Church, Everton. John was a 24 year old printer of 100 Beatrice Street, father John, whilst Mary Jane was aged 20 of 106 Beatrice Street, father John.
Arthur was baptised at Christ Church, Everton on 01st June 1887.
The 1891 Census finds 3 year old Arthur living with his parents and 7 siblings at 6 Arnot Steet, Liverpool. His father is a 44 year old lithographic printer born in Knutsford, whilst his mother is 37 years of age and was born in Liverpool. His seven siblings were all born in Liverpool and are listed as; John aged 17 a general labourer, Peter 15 an office boy, Sarah J. 12 a scholar, Mary 10 a scholar, Agnes 8 a scholar, Ada A. 5 a scholar and Harold 1.
His father drops off the electoral roll by 1897 at 6 Arnot Street when Mary replaces him, no suitable death record has been found.
By 1901 the family are living at 105 Walton Road, Kirkdale. Arthur is 13 years of age and is living with his widowed mother and 6 siblings. His mother is aged 47 and a manageress in a tripe business. His siblings are listed as; Peter aged 25 and a commercial clerk, Sarah 22, Mary 20 and a cigarette maker, Agnes 18 and a stationer's assistant. Ada A 15, Alfred 8.
By 1911 the family have crossed the Mersey and are living at 2 Beverley Road, New Ferry. Arthur is not listed as he was probably away at sea. His mother is 57 and states that she was married for 39 years and had 10 children of whom 8 have survived. She lives with her son Alfred aged 18 and a junior Clerk for a soap manufacturer and her grandson Arthur Edwin aged 4 and born in Newport, Monmouthshire.
Prior to the war Arthur served for several years as chief steward on board SS Sagamore of the Warren Line, although at the time of his enlistment he was working for Lever Brothers as a clerk. He was also an active member of the Masonic Cycling and Athletic Club.
Arthur enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 03rd September 1914, joining the 18th Battalion as Private 16164. He was aged 26 years 110 days, giving his occupation as clerk and his next of kin as his mother, Mary, at 143 Singleton Avenue, Birkenhead. He was described as being 5' 10 tall, weighed 165lbs with a 40" chest and a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. He stated his religion as Church of England.
From the 23rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course. On 24th October 1914 he was appointed paid A/Corporal. He remained at Hooton Park Racecourse until 03rd December 1914 when the Battalion moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 16th January 1915 he was promoted to Corporal; 2 weeks later he was appointed A/Sergeant; and on 13th February 1915 promoted to Sergeant. 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. He crossed to France with his battalion on board the SS Invicta and served in France from 7th November 1915.
Arthur was killed in action during the attack at Montauban on 1st July 1916.
18th Battalion Diary
At 6.30am the artillery commenced an intensive bombardment of the enemy’s trenches. Zero Hour – 7.30 am – the battalion commenced to leave their trenches and the attack commenced. The attack was pressed with great spirit and determination in spite of heavy shelling and machine gun enfilade fire which caused casualties amounting to 2/3rds of the strength of the Battalion in action. The whole system of German trenches including the Glatz Redoubt was captured without any deviation from the scheduled programme. Consolidated positions and made strong points for defence against possible counter attacks.
Graham Maddocks provides more detail concerning the events of the day:
As the first three waves began to move forward towards the German reserve line, known as Alt Trench and then on to the Glatz Redoubt itself, they suddenly came under enfilading fire from the left. This was from a machine gun which the Germans had sited at a strong point in Alt Trench. The gun itself was protected by a party of snipers and bombers, who, hidden in a rough hedge, were dug into a position in Alt Trench, at its junction with a communication trench known as Alt Alley. These bombers and snipers were themselves protected by rifle fire from another communication trench, Train Alley which snaked back up the high ground and into Montauban itself. The machine gun fire was devastating and it is certain that nearly of the Battalion’s casualties that day were caused by that one gun.
Lieutenant Colonel Edward Henry Trotter wrote in the conclusion of his account of the days action:
I cannot speak to highly of the gallantry of the Officers and men. The men amply repaid the care and kindness of their Company Officers, who have always tried to lead and not to drive. As laid down in my first lecture to the Battalion when formed, in the words of Prince Kraft:
“Men follow their Officers not from fear, but from love of the Regiment where everything had always and at all times gone well with them”.
Joe Devereux in his book A Singular Day on the Somme gives the Casualty Breakdown for the 18th Battalion as Killed in Action 7 Officers and 165 men and of those who died in consequence of the wounds 3 Officers and 19 men a total of 194 out of a total loss for the four Liverpool Pals Battalions of 257.
His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo 21st July 1916:
COWLEY—JuIy 1, killed in action, aged 29 years, Sergeant Arthur Edwin Cowley (Pals), for seven years steward SS. Sagamore, Warren Line, fourth beloved son the late John Cowley, Walton, and Mrs. Cowley, 143, Singleton-avenue, Prenton (member Masonic Cycling aid Athletic Lodge, 2335). (Friends please accept this—the only— intimation.)
Also in the Liverpool Daily Post 24th July 1916:
MORE KING’S MEN.
The following are casualties in certain battalions of the King’s Liverpool Regiment:
Sergeant Arthur Edwin Cowley, aged twenty nine, killed. For seven years he was chief steward of the steamer Sagamore, Warren Line., was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Cowley. 143. Singleton avenue, Prenton, and was a member of the Masonic Cycling and Athletic Lodge.
He now rests at Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, France.
The village of Mametz was carried by the 7th Division on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, after very hard fighting at Dantzig Alley (a German trench) and other points. The cemetery was begun later in the same month and was used by field ambulances and fighting units until the following November. The ground was lost during the great German advance in March 1918 but regained in August, and a few graves were added to the cemetery in August and September 1918. At the Armistice, the cemetery consisted of 183 graves, now in Plot I, but it was then very greatly increased by graves (almost all of 1916) brought in from the battlefields north and east of Mametz and from certain smaller burial grounds.
Dantzig Alley British Cemetery now contains 2,053 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 518 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to 17 casualties known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials record the names of 71 casualties buried in other cemeteries, whose graves were destroyed by shell fire.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker.
Probate 1916:-
COWLEY Arthur Edwin of 143 Singleton Avenue Birkenhead sergeant in the 18th Battalion of the King’s Liverpool regiment died 1 July 1916 in France Administration Chester 20 September to Mary Jane Cowley widow. Effects £77 14s.
His family paid tribute to Arthur in the Liverpool Daily Post on the first anniversary of his death on 02nd July 1917 :
COWLEY— In loving memory of my dear son, Sergeant Arthur Edwin Cowley. K.L.R., killed in action July 1, 1916. (Ever remembered his loving Mother.)— 143 Singleton Avenue, Birkenhead.
Also in the Liverpool Daily Post on 03rd July 1917:
COWLEY—In loving memory of Sergeant Arthur Edwin Cowley (Pals), killed in action, July 1, 1916. —Ever remembered by his Sister Aggie and Brother-in-law. 18. Granville-road, Tranmere.
Soldiers Effects and Pension to mother Mary Jane, c/o Mrs Clarke(probably emigrated daughter), 18 Verdon St, Williamstown, Melbourne.
In 1926 his medals were sent to his mother, now living at The Strand, North Williamstown, Melbourne, Australia.
She died, aged 91, on the 21st August 1945 after 24 years of living in Melbourne.
Arthur is remembered on the following Memorials:
Lever Brothers, The Causeway, Port Sunlight
Masonic Hall, Hope Street, Liverpool.
Alfred Cowley, Arthur’s younger brother, enlisted at Liverpool on 10rd December 1915, aged 23 years 3 months, a book-keeper with Lever Brothers, and was posted to the Army Reserve. On 23rd May 1918, he attested at Seaforth and was posted as Private 109251 to the 10th (Liverpool Scottish) Battalion. He served in France during 1918 and was demobilised on 15th October 1919, to live at 19 Glover Street, Birkenhead. Alfred earned two medals.
We currently have no further information on Arthur Edwin Cowley, 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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(108 Years this day)Sunday 16th June 1918.
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