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

Pte 58658 William Denton

Age: 24
From: Liverpool
Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
K.I.A Wednesday 25th April 1917
Commemorated at: Cherisy Rd East Cem, Heninel
Panel Ref: 24

William Denton was born in Old Swan, Liverpool on 27th June 1892, the son of Joseph Denton and his wife Elizabeth (née Appleton). His father, from Prescot, and his mother, from Liverpool, married at Holy Trinity, Parr Mount, St Helens in 1886, and they had ten children. Of the nine found on censuses, William had older brothers Joseph and Samuel, and younger siblings Albert, John, Agnes, Edith, Harold, and Ivy.

He was baptised in St. Mary the Virgin, Prescot, on 31st July, his parents’ residence given as Old Swan, and father’s occupation listed as railway shunter. He was known as Willie.

In 1901 they are living at 16 Freeport Grove, Aintree, with five children.

His father, Joseph, is a 33 year old brass finisher, born in Prescot, his mother, Elizabeth is 32 years of age, has no occupation listed and was born in Liverpool. William is 9 years of age and has five siblings in the household; Joseph is a 13 year old shop boy, Samuel is 11 years of age both were born in Prescot. Albert is 6 years old, John A. is 4 and Agnes is 1 and all three were born in Liverpool

William attended Longmoor Lane County Primary School, he was enrolled in the school on 06th May 1901, his parents address then 16 Freeport Grove. He transferred to Breckfield Senior School in 1909.

By 1911 they have moved around the corner to 23 Kingswood Avenue, and they have seven children at home.

His father aged 43, is a labourer, and his mother is 42 years of age with no occupation listed. His parents advise that they have been married for 25 years and have had 10 children, 9 of whom have survived. William is 19, and a store assistant, Albert, 16, is a greengrocer’s errand boy, and John is 14, a grocer’s assistant, Agnes is 12 years of age and at school, all were born in Old Swan. Edith is 6 years old and at school, Harold is 4 and Ivy 8 months, all born in Fazakerley.

He enlisted in Liverpool and was serving with the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 58658 when he was killed in action on 25th April 1917, aged 24.

He now rests at Cherisy Road East Cemetery, Heninel, France. He shares a headstone with Private 34996 John Knox of the Royal Scots Fusiliers who was killed in action on 23rd April 1917, aged 29.

As there are two names on the headstone there is no Cross added.

The village of Heninel was captured in a snowstorm on 12 April 1917 by the 56th (London) and 21st Division. The 50th (Northumbrian) Division, advancing from Heninel on the two following days, captured Wancourt Tower. Cherisy Road East Cemetery was made by the 30th and 33rd Division Burial Officers in April 1917. The cemetery contains 82 First World War burials, 19 of which are unidentified.

Willie’s name appeared in the list of K.L.R. Killed published in “The People” on 27th May 1917.

His family placed a notice in the Liverpool Daily Post on 04th June 1917:

“In loving memory of our dear son Willie, aged 24 years, who was killed in action in France, April 27, the dearly beloved son of Joseph and Elizabeth Denton, of 23 Kingswood Avenue, Aintree. (Loved by all who knew him. Sadly missed by his loving Father and Mother, Sisters and Brothers, Sisters in law and Fiancée.)”

DENTON- In sad but loving memory of my dear son Private W. Denton K.L.R., who fell in action April 25 1917. Ever remembered by his sorrowing Mother, Father, Sisters and Brothers - 23 Kingswood Avenue, Aintree.

His mother Elizabeth, at 23 Kingswood Avenue, received Willie’s Army effects, Army Pay of £2 15s 5d, and a War Gratuity of £4-10s. The pension card in the name of his mother does not indicate whether a pension was awarded.

On the 1921 Census at Kingswood Avenue, his father is aged 53, a fitters labourer at Jacobs, his mother Elizabeth is 52, Agnes 21, Edith 16, Harold 13, Ivy 10, and Stanley 8.

Willie earned his two medals, the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

In 1939 his parents are still at 23 Kingswood Avenue. His father is now retired. He died the following year, aged 71, and his mother in 1950 at the age of 81.

Willie is commemorated on the following memorials -

St. Giles with St. Peter’s Parish Church, Aintree Village

Longmoor Lane Junior School, Fazakerley

The family grave at Kirkdale Cemetery reads:-

In loving memory of

JOSEPH

Beloved husband of ELIZABETH DENTON

Died 11 September 1940, aged 72 years.

Also ELIZABETH

Beloved wife of the above

Died 20th July 1950, aged 81 years.

also Private William Denton K.L.R.

Killed in action in France 25th April 1917, aged 24 years.

We currently have no further information on William Denton. 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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