Pte 29690 Gatley James Floyd

• Age: 21
• From: St Helens, Lancs
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 9th April 1917
• Commemorated at: Arras Memorial
  Panel Ref: Bay 3

Gatley James Floyd was born in 1896 in St Helens, resided in Orrell, Wigan and was the son of James Floyd and his wife Elizabeth (nee Chorley) who were married in 1894 in Prescot.

The 1901 Census shows the family are living at 138 Stanhope Street, St. Helens. 

The father James is aged 34, a grocer’s assistant, mother Elizabeth is 32, children Gatley James. 5, Ronald J. 2, the family were all born in St Helens. Also living at the address is Grandfather James Floyd aged 71. 

The 1911 Census shows the family have moved to 104 Orrell Road, Nr. Wigan.

Father James is aged 44, a domestic groom, mother Elizabeth is 42 (married 16 years 5 children 4 still alive), children Gatley James 15 a tailors shop boy, Ronald John 12 at school, Elizabeth 9 is crossed out (died), Cuthbert Griffith 7 at school, and Miriam Gertrude 3.

Gatley had moved with the family to Wigan and he had been educated at  St John’s School, Pemberton where he had become a Sunday School teacher and church worker, as well as Staff Sergeant in the Church Lads Brigade.

Prior to the war he was employed as a clerk by Green & Trickett Auctioneers.   

He enlisted in Liverpool and was serving in the 18^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 29690 when he was killed in action on the 9^th April 1917 aged 21 during the Battle of Arras. 

Arras 09^th April 1917

Details of the circumstances the 18^th Battalion had to contend with are illustrated below:

The battalion formed the left assaulting battalion of the brigade, the 2^nd Wiltshire Regiment being on the right, the 19^th Manchester Regiment being in support and 2^nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment furnishing “moppers -up”  for the two assaulting battalions. The brigade advance was timed to begin at ---- hour after “Zero”, suited to conform with the movements of 56^th Division and other divisions on our left further north (near Arras). This battalion’s objective was the front-line system Lion Lane on the left (exclusive) to Panther Lane on right (exclusive). This sector included the strongpoint known as “The Egg”.

The brigade advanced at prearranged time, i.e., 11.38 a.m, from position of assembly trenches south of Neuville Vitasse to German front line. This necessitated an advance across the open of at least 2,000 yards. This area up to Neuville Vitasse- Henin road was crossed in artillery formation; after this, owing to machine-gun fire and considerable resistance from German posts forward in the sunken roads, it was found necessary to deploy. During the whole movement across the open the advancing columns had been under considerable artillery fire from guns of all calibres. On gaining the position immediately in front of German line it was found that the wire was practically uncut; this wire formed two strong belts in front of German trenches. Two small gaps were eventually discovered and Second-Lieut H.F.Merry gallantly led a bombing party through them, but his three remaining men were killed as they reached the German trenches.

From the moment the battalion was “held up” in front of German wire Capt. R. W. Jones, the senior company commander on the spot, at once began the work of consolidating in front of German wire. The battalion held on in this position for the remainder of the day, until relieved by the 16^th Manchester Regiment about 3 a.m. on the 10^th of April, all the time under intense machine-gun and rifle fire.

Between 9th-10th April, 1917, the 18th King's lost 2 officers 2nd Lt. F. Ashcroft and 2nd Lt. H.G. Ewing and 59 other ranks killed. 8 other officers were wounded. 

Gatley's body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial in France. 

The ARRAS MEMORIAL commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918, the eve of the Advance to Victory, and have no known grave. The most conspicuous events of this period were the Arras offensive of April-May 1917, and the German attack in the spring of 1918. Canadian and Australian servicemen killed in these operations are commemorated by memorials at Vimy and Villers-Bretonneux. A separate memorial remembers those killed in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. Both cemetery and memorial were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with sculpture by Sir William Reid Dick. The memorial was unveiled by Lord Trenchard, Marshal of the Royal Air Force on the 31 July 1932 (originally it had been scheduled for 15 May, but due to the sudden death of French President Doumer, as a mark of respect, the ceremony was postponed until July). 

Gatley’s death was reported in the Wigan Observer 12/5/1917 

FLOYD – Killed in action April 9 Private Gatley James Floyd of the Kings Liverpool Regiment, the dearly loved first son of Mr and Mrs Floyd of 3 Lodge Road, Orrell, Wigan age 21.  Ever remembered by his Father, Mother, Brothers and Sister and Alice.

He was also remembered in the Wigan Observer & District Observer 26/5/1917    

PEMBERTON SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER KILLED 

Staff Sergeant in Church Lads Brigade 

Born at St Helens Private Floyd came with his Mother and Father to reside in the Wigan district 12 years ago and went to St Johns School, Pemberton where he became a Sunday School Teacher and Church worker as well as Staff Sergeant in the Church Lads Brigade up to joining the colours.  He was in the employment of Messrs Green and Rickett, Auctioneers, King Street as a Clerk.  His loss is keenly felt by all who knew him.  A Memorial service with be held at St Johns Church Pemberton on June 10^th at 3pm.

Writing to Mr and Mrs  Floyd, the deceased’s Captain says “His loss will be felt by us all, as he was an excellent soldier in every way, and a great favourite with the remainder of the men in the company.  I feel I cannot fully express my sympathy in writing but I feel sure you will realise how deeply I feel for you in your sad loss”

Soldiers Effects to father James, Pension to mother Elizabeth, then after her death to the father

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