Private John Henry Fitzsimmons, 2499

Private John Henry Fitzsimmons 2499

Identification

 The CWGC database has two John H Fitzsimmons but one was Canadian and UK Soldiers in the Great War showed that the other J H Fitzsimmons was from Liverpool.

Family Information

 John Henry Fitzsimmons was born on 9^th August 1878 at 8 Sim Street, Liverpool to Henry (a carter) and Sarah Jane Fitzsimmons. John Henry was baptised on 1st September that year at St Mary Magdalene, Liverpool.

The 1891 census return shows that John Henry's father was working as a dock labourer and the family lived at number 28 Hampton St (this street was mostly court housing but they seem to be the only family listed at number 28) He had 2 sisters and one brother.

On 18th April 1897 John Henry Fitzsimmons married Mary Elizabeth Steele, witnesses were Frances and Emily Steele.

Their daughter, Mary Eilzabeth Fitzsimmons, was born on 8^th November 1897 and christened on 19^th December 1897 in St James’s Church.

A son, William John, was born on 31^st March 1900 and christened on 15^th April 1900 at St James’s Church.

Another daughter, Nancy Fitzsimmons, was born on 17^th April 1902 and christened in St James’s Church on 30^th April 1902. John Henry’s occupation at this time was recorded as dock labourer.

The baptism record 2 years later for their daughter Sarah Jane (born 15^th November 1904, christened 27^th Nov 1904 at St James’s Church) shows they were living in 10 court 4 house Hampton Street and John Henry was a labourer.

The 1911 census shows that John Henry and Mary were living in Newton St, the number isn't clear.  John was working as a labourer for a white smith ‘Wilson and Sons’.  William, Nancy and Sarah Jane are with them and Mary Elizabeth appears to have left home, they also had sadly had another child who died. 

Military information

 John Henry Fitzsimmons had pre-war military experience. He enlisted on 10^th July 1895 as private 3353 4^th Battalion the King’s Liverpool Regiment. His attestation papers show that he was aged 18 years and 10 months, he lived at 28 Hampton St and worked as a labourer for Mr J Ashton, Master Porter, Stanley Dock.

He was 5’6” tall and weighed 114lbs, his complexion was fresh, his eyes blue and his hair brown. He had various tattoos including crossed swords, flags and a half moon.  His religion is given as Roman Catholic. (It is interesting to note that, aged 18, he repeatedly spelled his name ‘Fitzsimons’ whereas later in life he spelled it Fitzsimmons)

His service record shows that he completed 76 days drill on enlistment in 1895 and was present for drill in 1896, 1897, 1898 and 1899.

He rejoined and was embodied on 3/5/1900 then disembodied on 1/11/1900 as a private.

His absence from drill in 1900 was ‘satisfactorily accounted for’ (perhaps the birth of his son?)  and he was given leave from voluntary training in 1901.

He was embodied on 6 Jan 1902 and embarked for South Africa 23 Jan 1902.

He was disembodied 10 July 1902 rank private.

He was paid a war gratuity in July 1902.

Discharged on termination of engagement 9 March 1907.

Private Joh Henry Fitzsimmons received the South Africa medal with Cape Colony and Transvaal clasps.

WW1 service papers show that John Henry Fitzsimmons enlisted for the duration of the war on 28th August 1914 aged 35. He was given the regimental number 2499 as a private with the South Lancashire Regiment. 

His medical report shows that he was 37 years of age, 5 feet 6 1/4 inches tall and weighed 136 lbs, his eyes were blue and his hair brown. He had tattoos of ‘crossed swords and other marks’ and his religion was C of E.

The papers shows that at the time of his attestation John Henry, his wife Mary and their children Nancy, Sarah Jane and William John lived at 4 Watson Street.

When Mary completed the next of kin papers after her husband's death, her address was 44 Solway Street, Lodge Lane.

Death and commemoration

John Henry Fitzsimmons was killed in action at Linden Hock on 7th January 1915 after serving 132 days, he survived just 46 days overseas as he was posted to the 2nd Battalion on 23rd November 1914.

The UK Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-1919 gives the following information

Name:	John Henry Fitzsimmons
Birth Place:	Liverpool
Death Date	7 Jan 1915
Death Location	France & Flanders
Enlistment    Location:	Liverpool
Rank:	Private
Regiment:	Prince of Wales's Volunteers (South Lancashire 9/2Regiment)
Battalion:	2nd Battalion
Number:	2499
Type of  Casualty:	Killed in action
Theatre of War:	Western European Theatre

John Henry's medal  shows that he qualified for the 1915 star, the British War Medal and the Victory medal and he was Killed in Action on 7th Jan 1915.

He has no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

Click here to see the CWGC database entry for John Henry Fitzsimmons

The Liverpool Daily Post printed the following report of his death on 27^th January 1915.

John Fitzsimmons of Hampton-street, Liverpool, who fell in action on Jan 7. He leaves a widow and 4 children. He went through the Boer War with the 4^th Kings Liverpool. At the outbreak of this war he rejoined with the 3^rd South Lancs and was only at the front 2 months when he was killed.

Private Frank Morris

Frank Morris

This soldier was difficult to find, the best ‘fit’ was Roman Catholic and so I assumed that he wouldn’t have been on the St James Memorial. However, research has revealed that his mother was not Catholic and furthermore when she had the Eligibility Forms signed she went to the vicar of St James Church. They lived very close to St James Church at the time Frank was alive and I believe all the evidence supports him being the Frank Morris named on the memorial (There is also a Joseph Morris on the memorial, Frank had a brother Joseph who served pre-war with the KLR, I am looking for evidence of Joseph being killed in the war).

Family Life:

Frank Morris was born on 26^th October 1885 and christened in St Patrick’s (RC) Church in Liverpool on the 8^th November that year. Catholic baptisms are recorded with latin names so he was baptised as Franciscus Morris, his parents were John Morris and Esther (Griffiths). There is a note written in the margin “mother protestant, 38 Fletcher Street”

In the 1891 census the family of 4 occupied 2 rooms of  51 Fletcher Street, the other 3 rooms were the home of a family named Griffiths.  Fletcher Street was off Windsor Street, Toxteth, very close to St James’ Church.  In this census Frank was enumerated as Francis (the only time this name is recorded) he was 5 years old. The rest of the household consisted of his father John Morris, aged 35, born in Liverpool and occupation dock labourer; his mother Esther aged 34 and also born in Liverpool; and his younger brother Joseph aged 1.

At the time of the 1901 census the family had grown to 5 people and now had a house with 4 rooms – at 8house 6 court, Hampton Street. These ‘court dwellings’ were notoriously unsanitary. The father, John, was still employed as a dock labourer. Frank (aged 15) was employed as a ‘steam lift operator’ , Joseph was there aged 11 and there was an addition of a younger sister Mary aged 3.

1911 census records show that Esther had been widowed. The family were living at 58 Stanhope Cottages, Upper Stanhope Street and Frank was the head of the household. Aged 25 he was employed as a ‘general labourer’. Joseph was working as a dock labourer. Their mother Esther (aged 54) and sister Mary (13) also lived there but were not in employment.  Despite being widowed, Esther completed the columns for children born/alive/died showing that of 8 children only 3 were still alive.

Military Service

Frank’s service papers have survived for two enlistments in wartime. He first enlisted in 1914 and was posted to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers with the regimental numer 15133. His attestation paper shows that he enlisted aged 28 years on 7^th October 1914, which means that he was a volunteer. His address was 36 Stanhope Cottages, Upper Stanhope Street, his next-of-kin was his mother Esther of the same address and his occupation was labourer.

The medical report for Frank Morris shows that he was 28 years old, 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighed 126 lbs, his physical development was ‘fair’. His complexion was ‘fresh’ his eyes hazel and his hair dark brown. His religion was R.C. , he had no distinguishing marks and was passed fit for the Army.

After only 45 days Frank Morris was discharged on 20^th November 1914 as unlikely to make an efficient soldier, medically unfit. His records show that he was found medically unfit but don’t say why.  According to reports he then went back to working on the docks.

On 27^th July 1915 Frank Morris re-enlisted (again as a volunteer) and was posted to the 2^nd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment with the regimental number 19939. A note at the top of the paper says ‘enlisted for Home Service, duration of war only’ so at some point he must have signed the general service agreement to be sent overseas. His attestation papers show that he was living at 61 Wesley Street (his next-of-kin, Esther, was given at the same address), was 30 years 270 days old and a labourer. He declared his previous service with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. The mystery of his reason for discharge may be explained by the form he signed at attestation, consenting to dental treatment. Deficient teeth were a cause for discharge as soldiers had to be able to eat field rations which often included hard biscuits.

He was unmarried and had no children. The medical report shows he was 5 feet 3 ½ inches tall and weighed 123 lbs, his physical development was ‘fair’. Frank made an allotment from his pay to his sister, her address was given as 22 Avison St, Upper Stanhope St.

He joined his regiment at Warrington on 29^th July 1915. After training (during which he passed as a second class shot) he embarked at Southampton on 28^th April 1916 and disembarked at Rouen the following day where he joined the 3 Infantry Base Depot. He proceeded to the front on 13^th May 1916 and joined his battalion (2^nd ,South Lancashire Regiment) the following day.

On 13^th July 1916 Private Frank Morris was injured with GSW (Gun Shot Wounds) and was admitted to the 113 Field Ambulance. He was evacuated to 36 Casualty Clearing Station and died of wounds there. He was buried in Cemetiere du Bois, Hareng, Heilly, 2 ½ miles nne of Corbie. His body was later exhumed and reinterred at Heilly Station Cemetery, his family were notified of this fact and assured that “the work of reburial has been carried out carefully and reverently, special arrangements having been made for the appropriate religious services to be held.”

The records show that the M.O.D. had some trouble sending the relevant forms to Esther and Mary as they had moved several times. Forms were originally sent to Wesley St, then Avison St before finally reaching them at 117 Towson St, Everton, Liverpool.  Esther completed the form showing that Frank’s only family were his mother and sister, suggesting that his younger brother Joseph had also died.

These forms had to be certified by a clergyman or magistrate as they formed part of an application for a pension. Esther had her form signed by Fred W. Lloyd of 88c Huskisson St, Clerk in Holy Orders for St James Church, Toxteth, Liverpool on 15^th October 1919. 

Newspaper reports of Frank’s death show that his family were informed that he died on his way to hospital – technically true as the Field Ambulance and Casualty Clearing Station were stops along the route of evacuation to a military hospital. This cutting is from the Liverpool Echo 1st Sept 1916. 

Click here to see the CWGC entry for Frank Morris.

Private Edward Burston 1544

Edward Burston

Identification:

I found two results for Edward Burston in the CWGC database. One had the full name Edward but was in the Devonshire Regiment and it stated that he was from Somerset. The other had only the initial E and was in the South Lancashire Regiment with no details as to where he lived.

It seemed likely that the second record was the correct Edward Burston. Cross referencing with the Soldiers Died in the Great War results from Ancestry.co.uk gave me further proof that this was the correct man. As you can see below the SDGW entry shows that this E Burston in the South Lancs was Edward and from Toxteth, Liverpool. I am happy that I have the correct soldier.

Family information:

Edward Burston was born December1894-January 1895 and registered in Liverpool. He was baptised on 6th Feb 1895 at St John the Baptist, Toxteth Park. His parents were Samuel Frederick Burston and Priscilla, Samuel was a labourer and they lived at 41 Gaskell St.

Edward's mother died in 1901. In the census that year Edward aged 6 and 3 of his brothers (William 11, James 8, John 3) were enumerated at the house of their uncle and aunt Charles and Julie Burston, 90 Stanhope St. His father and 3 further brothers (Thomas 19, Joseph 15, Frederick 13) were next-door at 92 Stanhope St.

The 1911 census return shows Edward with 3 of his brothers (Joseph, Jim and John) and his father. They were living at 8 Friendship Place, Hampton St. This may sound pleasant but I think it was court housing with a pretty name.

Military information:

Edward enlisted in the Territorial Force on 20^th April 1912.  He was given the regimental number 1544 in the South Lancashire Regiment.

He was mobilized from the army reserve on 8^th August 1914, embarked at Southampton on 4^th December 1914 and was posted to the 2^nd Bn South Lancashire Regiment  5^th December 1914.

Some of Edward's paperwork survived (although damaged) in the National Archives. His attestation document shows that Edward was aged 17yrs 4months when he signed up in April 1912 for a period of 6 years. He had been working as a casual labourer and had a reference from his employer Mr J Hewitt of 22 Hampton Street.

Edward listed his next of kin as father Frederick and brothers Joseph, James and John all of 12 Court, 8 House Hampton St, Liverpool.

His medical report shows that Edward was examined on 19th April 1912 when he was 17yrs and 4 months old. He was 5ft 2 and 5/8 inches tall and weighed 121 lbs. His physical development was good and he had been vaccinated in infancy. He had brown eyes and dark brown hair. His distinguishing marks were ‘ a circular scar inside left shoulder blade, a scar small of back and a mole below left nipple.’

During his time in the army Edward may not have been the perfect soldier; in the few months he was in France, his record sheet shows several punishments. His conduct sheet has the following entries:

Wounded  23/1/15 the 'where' looks like 'Linden Hock'

Awarded 3days field punishment No2 for

“Irregular conduct on parade ie laughing on parade.”

13/2/1915

Awarded 7 days field pun No2 for

“not complying with an order eg not carrying a wounded man’s equipment when ordered to do so by an officer” and  “Disobedience of battalion orders ie wearing gum boots on parade”

14/2/1915

Awarded 3 days field punishment No2 for

“not being properly dressed on parade ie being deficient of a waterproof [sheet/shirt?]”

?/3/1915

[Field punishment number 2 involved being shackled and handcuffed but not attached to anything and sometimes also hard labour.]

The papers also note that Edward "Died, from wounds received in action. Place: Kemmel" and was "buried in the cemetery north of the chateau, Kemmel." A later note shows that his body was exhumed and reburied in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery.

Edward’s record also shows that he made an allotment of pay to his brother Frederick Samuel Burston of 112 Upper Essex St, Liverpool. His father had passed away in 1913. In 1920 Frederick completed Eligibility Forms for and listed Edward’s family as consisting of himself, two other brothers (John and James) and Thomas who was listed as a half-brother. Joseph and William were not mentioned.

The entry in UK SOLDIERS DIED IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1919 shows the following:

Name:	Edward Burston
Birth Place:	Toxteth, Liverpool
Death Date:	12 Mar 1915
Death Location:	France & Flanders
Enlistment Location:	Liverpool
Rank:	Private
Regiment:	Prince of Wales's Volunteers (South      Lancashire Regiment)
Battalion:	2nd Battalion
Number:	1544
Type of Casualty:	Died of wounds
Theatre of War:	Western European Theatre

Edward’s medal card shows that he was a private, earned the Victory, British and 1915 Star medals and Died of Wounds 12th March 1915. It also shows that he fought in France, entering this 'theatre of war' on 5th December 1914.

  

Death and Commemoration

The date of Edward’s death places it at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle and it is likely that he received his wounds on the opening day of the action, 10^th March 1915.

You can read more about the experiences of the South Lancashire Regiment here.

You can read more about Neuve Chapelle here.

Private Edward Burston's body was exhumed from its original burial site and buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium. This is about 8 miles from Ypres and holds 1131 casualties of WW1. 

Click here to see the record for Edward Burston on the CWGC.

Edward’s family informed the Liverpool Echo of his death and the following notice and photograph were printed on 6^th April, you will see that it mentions St James’ Church. 

Edward’s name was placed on the St James Memorial but, with the loss of that memorial, he was not commemorated anywhere in Liverpool until 2012 when we had his name added to the Roll of Honour at Liverpool Town Hall.