Pte 25727 Edward Floyd

• Age: 24
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Tuesday 31st July 1917
• Commemorated at: Menin Gate Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 4 & 6

Edward Floyd was born on the 31st December 1892 in Liverpool and was baptised on the 24th February 1893 at St Paul's Church, Princes Park, Liverpool. He was the son of Isaac James Floyd and his wife Margaret Ann (née Jones) who were married on Christmas Day, 25th December 1890 at St Matthew’s, Toxteth Park. Isaac was a 24 year old carter of 21 Hyslop Street, his father, Isaac James was a carter, whilst Margaret was aged 24 of 21 Jackson Street, her father Thomas was deceased.  

On the 1891 Census newly married Isaac and Margaret at living with Isaac’s parents at 33 Cleopas Street, Toxteth.  

At the time of the 1901 census the 8 year old Edward was living with his parents at 33 Hawkstone Street, Toxteth. Isaac, who is 33, is a carter with Liverpool City Council and Margaret is 32 years old and at home. The couple have four more children – Isaac aged 9, Mary 7, William 4 and 11 month old Joseph.

His mother died, aged 43, in 1904. She was only 32 in 1901, so 43 is in error.

His sister Mary and brother Isaac went into the Liverpool workhouse in 1905.

Edward’s father died aged 48 on the 20th June 1915 and was buried in Toxteth Cemetery. His brother Isaac Thomas died aged 25 on the 15th June 1917 and was also buried in Toxteth Cemetery, his address was 105 Cockburn Street, that of his brother William John.

Prior to the outbreak of war Edward had been employed by the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board.

He enlisted in Liverpool and was serving in the 17th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 25727 when he was killed in action on the 31st July 1917, aged 24, on the first day of the Third Battle of Ypres, better known as the Battle of Passchendaele.

On that day, the 89th Brigade was to follow up the attacks of the 21st and 90th Brigades and once their objectives had been taken, to go through them and secure a line of strong points on the German third line. The 89th Brigade line of attack was from the South West corner of Polygon Wood, to the Menin Road. The 17th Battalion The King’s Liverpool Regiment was on the left of the attack, and the 20th to the right, with the 19th Battalion and the 2nd Battalion The Bedfordshire Regiment, in Divisional Reserve.

The Battalion moved into assembly positions east of Maple Copse between 05.00 and 05.20am, they were heavily shelled and suffered many casualties. At 07.50 they began to advance with the 17th Battalion on the left, and the 20th on the right, the whole time under heavy shell fire. On reaching their position which was the Blue Line , troops of both the 21st and 90th Brigades were still pinned down and thus any attempt at further progress were futile.

Despite this they pushed on until their flank was just touching Clapham Junction. They then dug in and awaited the inevitable bombardment which hit them soon after. Despite this, they held onto the ground.

During the action and their time in the line the 17th Battalion lost three officers and 79 men killed or died of wounds, and four officers and 198 men wounded. They were eventually relieved on the night of 3rd -4th August.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Weekly Courier on Saturday 01 September 1917; 

His body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, at Ypres in Belgium.

The site of the Menin Gate was chosen because of the hundreds of thousands of men who passed through it on their way to the battlefields. It commemorates casualties from the forces of Australia, Canada, India, South Africa and United Kingdom who died in the Salient. In the case of United Kingdom casualties, only those prior 16 August 1917 (with some exceptions). United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after that date are named on the memorial at Tyne Cot, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war. New Zealand casualties that died prior to 16 August 1917 are commemorated on memorials at Buttes New British Cemetery and Messines Ridge British Cemetery.

The YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL now bears the names of more than 54,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield with sculpture by Sir William Reid-Dick, was unveiled by Lord Plumer on 24 July 1927.

A local paper reported his death.

Pte. Edward Floyd, K.L.R. killed in action on August 4th, age 24, joined up at the outbreak of war, had been out over twelve months, and had been wounded. He was formerly employed by the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board.   

His sister and brother placed a notice in the local press on 22nd August 1917:

FLOYD - August 4, killed in action, aged 24 years, Private Edward Floyd (K.L.R.) - Deeply mourned by his sorrowing sister and brother (Lily and Will).

His name featured in a list of rank and file reported killed in the local press on 23rd September 1917.

Soldiers Effects, Army Pay of £8 12s and War Gratuity £11 10s was shared equally by brother William and sister Mary E. No pension record has been found. 

Edward is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

Mersey Docks and Harbour Board

St Cleopas C. of E. School, Toxteth.

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