As far as the blog goes, I'm still working my way through posting information for all the names. I've got some more war diaries to look through as well so I'll try and get at least a contents list put on here for them. I have a few ideas about the 10 names that I haven't been able to pin down yet but I've decided they will have to wait until I've got the blog up to date.
I've been in contact with Rev Neil Short from St James in the City and Paul Young, a local historian who is writing a history of the church and they seem pleased with the work I'm doing here so that's very gratifying. I've had a few lovely comments left on the blog too which are always good to read.
The people at the town hall have told me that there are so many names being added this year that there will be 2 ceremonies on the 6th Sept, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. They will try and keep the group of names from St James together in one of these ceremonies. The times etc should be set in 2 weeks so I will pass on any info then.
Amanda
This blog presents information about the 62 men named on the WW1 memorial from St James Church, Toxteth. Use the tabs below or the search bar to navigate the site. The Names page has links to each man. Please leave comments or email me at thewarmemorial@gmail.com
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Private Isaac Lucas Hilton 242828
Isaac Lucas Hilton was born on 5th April 1877 and baptised in St Thomas' Church, Liverpool on 20th Nov 1877. The baptism record show his parents were Thomas and Jane Sophia, they lived in Gower St and Thomas was a porter. The baptism was private and a notation shows that Isaac was received into the church on 17th Sept 1879.
source: ancestry.co.uk
The 1891 census return Isaac Lucas Hilton, aged 14 was working as a Master Carter's Office Boy. Some children from the previous census were not on the 1891 census although they now had 6 children.
source: ancestry.co.uk
Isaac married in 1897 to Elizabeth Ann Elston, in the 1901 census they were living at 23 Grey Street with their daughter Edith and a boarder.
1901 census source: ancestry.co.uk
In the 1911 census Isaac and Elizabeth were living at 13 Newton Street. Isaac misunderstood the form and filled in the names of all his children, living and deceased. Sadly, 3 of their 5 children died and their names were crossed out. Newton Street was very close to St James Church, running between Windsor Street and Wesley Street.
1911 census source ancestry.co.uk
(Checking Isaac's parents on the 1911 census shows they were still both alive and living at 166 Northumberland Street, presumably over a shop as Thomas's occupation was shopkeeper, own account working at home and Jane Sophia was working at home, two of their daughters were also with them and working in the shop.)
WW1
The medal card for Isaac L Hilton shows that he was in the Liverpool Regiment as a private with the regimental number 242828
Isaac was killed in action on 27th June 1917
Information from UK Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-1919:
| Name: | Isaac Lucas Hilton |
|---|---|
| Birth Place: | Liverpool |
| Residence: | Liverpool |
| Death Date: | 27 Jun 1917 |
| Death Location: | France & Flanders |
| Enlistment Location: | Liverpool |
| Rank: | Private |
| Regiment: | King's (Liverpool Regiment) |
| Battalion: | 6th Battalion |
| Number: | 242828 |
| Type of Casualty: | Killed in action |
| Theatre of War: | Western European Theatre |
Source: ancestry.co.uk
Friday, June 22, 2012
Sgt John Simpson D.C.M. 141288
Thanks to the improved search on the CWGC site I was able to look for John Simpsons with the DCM, this gave 3 results. 2 of these men were from Carlisle and Scotland, surprisingly it was the John Simpson in the Canadian Infantry who was from Liverpool! I also connected with another ancestry.co.uk user who had John in their family tree and could confirm that I had the right man.
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The baptism record for John Simpson (below) shows that he was born on 7th Aug 1883 in Liverpool, he was baptised on 16th Sept 1883 in St Thomas's Church, Toxteth Park. His parents were William and Ann Simpson of 53 Laxey Street (off Park Road in Toxteth) William was a milk dealer.
In the 1891 census, the family were still living at 53 Laxey Street with a total of 5 children and a servant. William Simpson was a cow keeper and an employer.
In the 1901 census, John was 17 and still living with his parents, his occupation was apprentice joiner. They were at the same address but did not have a servant at the time of this census.
On 12th Jan 1907 John Simpson married Edith Mary Bretherton at St Mary theVirgin, West Derby, Liverpool.
Source Citation: Place: West Derby, Lancashire, England; Collection: St Mary The Virgin; -; ; Film Number: 1546071.
The 1911 census has John and Edith living at July Street, Anfield with their son William Reginald Simpson and Emilie Bretherton who I presume to be Edith's sister although Ancestry have mistranscribed her as a daughter.
John and his family emigrated to Canada, ~I have more information to add about this.
Thanks to the Canadian Archives online, here is a copy of John's attestation paper. It shows that they lived at 260 Victoria Avenue, Hamilton and his occupation was cabinet maker. He was already in the 'active militia' and had served in 13 Royal Regiment 'G' Coy. He attested for the Canadian overseas expeditionary force on 28th July 1915 and was put in the 76th overseas battalion with the regimental number 141288.
John's description on enlistment shows he was 31 years and 11 months old, 6 ft tall with a dark complexion, brown eyes and black hair.
John was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry and distinguished service in the field. The certificate shown below (a public photo from ancestry.co.uk) has a photo of John Simpson and the citation for his D.C.M. (it is missing one digit from his regimental number)
close-up of the photo.
The certificate also shows that John Simpson was killed on 1st October 1918. The entry below from the Canada, CEF Burial Registers, 1914-1919 shows that Sgt John Simpson D.C.M. was killed in action on 1/10/1918 and was buried at Sancourt Military Cemetery
I have a copy of the battalion diary for the day that John Simpson was killed and it gives a very clear picture of the terrible battle the 1st Battalion Canadian Infantry were involved in on that day. John Simpson wasn't listed as a casualty on that day but it is likely that he was killed then but his death wasn't confirmed until later.
(Text of the battalion diary to be added.)
****************UPDATE*****************
Inscription from a gravestone in Toxteth Park Cemetery (sourced from the Toxteth Park Cemetery Inscriptions Database)
I 28 SIMPSON. (C.C.Rt.315)
Large upright grey marble, low pointed top, square shoulders.
In loving memory of
the beloved children of
William and Ann C. SIMPSON,
Thomas, died 10th June 1890,
aged 1 year and 4 months.
George, died 10th June 1893,
aged 6 weeks.
Also the above Ann C. SIMPSON,
died 15th October 1901,
aged 49 years.
Also Sergt. John SIMPSON, D.C.M.
1st Canadian Infantry,
beloved husband of Edith SIMPSON,
and eldest son of the above,
killed in action in France 1st Oct. 1918.
Buried at Sancourt, aged 35 years.
Also Edith May,
daughter of the above John SIMPSON,
who died 21st April 1916, aged 3 months.
Interred at Hamilton, Canada.
*Thy will be done.*
Also of the above William SIMPSON,
who died 6th February 1925, aged 71 years.
*Life's work well done.*
Private James llewellin 35175, 4386, 53831
There were 2 results for this name on the CWGC database, one of them was from Liverpool, the other from Bristol.
I am indebted to Kathy Donaldson for providing information from a newspaper notice that helped me identify the correct Llewellin family.
*********************
James Llewellin was born on 14th April 1891 in Liverpool. His parents John and Ellen Llewellin lived on Lowndes Street and John was a carter. James was baptised in St Peters' Church on 17th May.
The 1891 census shows that the family lived at 12A Lowndes street, John and Ellen had 2 sons with them plus Ellen's mother (Catherine Kenyon) sister (Amy Kenyon) and nephew (Ephrahim Kenyon)
John Llewellin died in 1894.
The 1901 census shows Ellen a widow and working as a charwoman. She was the head of the household at 27 Beamish Street with her mother and 4 sons.
Ellen Llewellin died in 1906.
The 1911 census shows how the 4 sons were taken in by their family.
Benjamin (aged 18) was living with his uncle William Kenyon at 30 Lawler st, Litherland and working as a shop boy in a drapery.
Stephen (aged 23) was living with his uncle William Henry Llewellin at 10 Admiral St, Liverpool and working as a range and grate fitter.
James and his brother John (aged 20 and 25) were living at 10 Hampton St with their aunt Elizabeth Hanning (formerly Kenyon, sister to Ellen Llewellin) James was working as boiler-maker labourer and John as a shoe-maker.
John later married one of the cousins they were living with, Elizabeth Ann Henning, in 1913 and they lived in Wesley St.
*************military**************
We do not know much about James Llewellin's military service. His medal card shows that he was a private in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers with the regimental number 4386 and then 53831.
The information on UK Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-1919 shows that he was previously in the King's Liverpool Regiment with the number 35175.
UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919
|
Name:
|
James Llewellin
|
|
Birth Place:
|
|
|
Death Date:
|
|
|
Death Location:
|
France & Flanders
|
|
Enlistment
Location:
|
|
|
Rank:
|
Private
|
|
Regiment:
|
Royal Welsh Fusiliers
|
|
Battalion:
|
1st Battalion
|
|
Number:
|
53831
|
|
Type of Casualty:
|
Killed in action
|
|
Theatre of War:
|
Western European Theatre
|
|
Comments:
|
Formerly 35175,
|
James Llewellin was killed on 26th February 1917.
Kathy Donaldson (www.liverpoolancestraltrails.co.uk ) provided the following information from notices in the local paper.
11th April 1917
James Llewellin reported missing
22nd August 1917
James Llewellin previous reported missing, now reported killed. Third son of the late John and Ellen Llewellin of the Dingle. Brother of John Llewellin of 44 Wesley street, Liverpool.
click here to see the CWGC entry for James Llewellin (his regimental number is incorrect on the CWGC)
Extract from the 1st Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers War Diary
26th February 1917
Orders received by telephone from 91st Brigade
that our Artillery would bombard PUISIEUX from 2a.m.
to 6.20a.m. and that patrols were to
be pushed out close to barrage and then go through the village at 6.20 a .m.
B, C, and D coys ordered to send 3 patrols each and
2/borders to push patrols on N of SERRE ROAD
Brigade Order confirmed
message from D coy that touch had been gained with 8 N
Staffs in RHINE TRENCH
Battalion came under orders of G.O.C. 22nd
Infantry Brigade who now took over the line.
message from 2nd Lieut Mills (D Coy) that his
patrol was held up by a strong point at about L 19.d.50.50 (this was afterwards
proved to be about 200yds of this point and off the SEREE
ROAD
D Coy reported that patrols of 2/borders were retiring. They
did not start till 8 a .m.
C Coy to withdraw to SEREE dugouts
report forn C Coy that there were 4 machine guns in SUNSET
TRENCH
12.10 p.m. A Coy ordered to take up position in SUNSET
TRENCH from (map ref) and to throw back the left flank to KAISER
LANE
2.40 p.m. Message from S.C. detailing officer and 30 men
2/H.A.C. to report to HQrs 1st R.W.F. to carry stokes mortar
ammunition. These never arrived.
3.30 p.m. Battn H.Qrs moved to A Coy’s old Hd Qrs in SEREE
3.40 p.m. Orders issued A Coy had already been sent to take
up position (see 10/26)
situation 62nd division gained GUDGEON
TRENCH – this afterwards proved wrong
19th division in BOX WOOD with patrols in ROSSIGHOL TRENCH
B Coy on the right ordered to occupy KAISER
LANE
D Coy to advance at the same time on the left and capture KAISER
LANE
C Coy to pass through and capture SUNSET TRENCH from (map
ref) to SEREE ROAD
2 sections bombers under 2nd Lieut KESTERTON were
to move alone SEREE ROAD
2/borders were in close support in WING TRENCH when the
attack was launched.
Advance to commence at 4.45pm
8.55 pm 2/Borders ordered to push up patrols through KAISER
LANE
11.15 pm B Coy gained objective. All objectives had now been
taken.
Casualties – 10 killed, 30 wounded, 8 died of wounds, 4
missing.
Reinforcements – 2 from hospital, 2/Lt BLUCK from 2nd
Bn, 5 from Base
Fighting continued throughout the following day then the
company were relieved.
A sign of how bad a time they had of it – this list is from
the following day 27th Feb
Casualties:
T/Capt A W ANSCOMBE M.C. –
wounded
2/Lieut F McKAY -
wounded (died of wounds 28-2-17 )
2/Lieut S SASSOON -
struck off
T/Capt E.G. HAWES - " "
(Medical board)
T/Lieut J.R.P. ADAMS - wounded (shell shock)
2/Lt C.E. MONTGOMERIE - "
but remained at duty
2/Lt A.M. SYRETT -
" (shell shock) but remained
at duty
O ranks – 11 killed, 22 wounded, 5missing, 2 died of wounds
reinforcements – NIL
Gunner William Keam 4839
There were two results for William Keam in the CWGC database. Cross referencing them with UK Soldiers Died in the Great War showed that one was from Widnes and the other was born in and lived in St Austell. I assume that the soldier from Widnes is more likely to be our man. The only problem I have with this is that I cannot find anything to link him to St James' Church. It is possible of course that in between the 1911 census and his death in 1916 he moved into the area.
William Keam was born in Widnes in 1889. His parents were Elizabeth and Richard Keam, a general labourer.
Their return for the 1891 census shows they lived at 4 Cholmondeley Street, Widnes. Interestingly, Richard Keam was from St Austell, so the other William Keam on the CWGC may have been a relative.
Elizabeth remarried to James Herbert in 1905 (Free BMD marriage index april-June 1905 lancashire Prescot, vol 8b p1156)
At the time of the 1911 census the family are somewhat split up. Elizabeth and her new husband were living at 28 Cholmondeley St, Widnes. William Keam (working as a chemical labourer) and his brother Herbert Keam are with them, as are 4 more children, apparently 3 from this marriage and one from James Herbert's previous marriage.
However, when looking for Elizabeth's other 3 children I found that Elizabeth Keam was working as a servant and Harriet and Thomas Henry Keam were both inmates at West Derby Union Cottage Homes, Fazakerly. The cottage homes were for children who were orphaned, or whose families couldn't cope with them for some reason. Stays there could be temporary eg while a mum was in hospital having a baby, or they could be permanent - until they were old enough to find work and a place to live or had to move to another institute for older children.
click here to go to the wikipedia page about the chemical industry in widnes -
None of William's service papers have survived, we know from the information on his medal card, CWGC entry and UK Soldiers Died in the Great War entry that William was a Gunner in 'D' Bty, 147th Bde of the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery with regimental number 4839.
He died of wounds in the 'Western European Theatre' France and Flanders on 23rd October 1916 and is buried at HEILLY STATION CEMETERY, MERICOURT-L'ABBE which is in the Somme area of France.
At the time William died, this cemetery was used by 3 Casualty Clearing Stations so it is likely that he was recovered from where he was wounded but died of his wounds while still in a clearing station and didn't make it to a hospital.
click here to see the CWGC database entry for William (opens in new window)
*******************************************************************
Not strictly about William Keam - his brother Herbert enlisted on 3rd Sept 1914, he was in B Coy 12th Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment. His papers have survived and show that he was promoted to Corporal. On 12th Dec 1917 Herbert was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry and devotion to duty in the field (gazetted 19/3/18 p3465)He was then attached to the 66th Infantry Brigade Headquarters but on 7th February1918 had a bicycle accident which left him with serious head injuries, a court of enquiry found that the injuries were accidental, Herbert was on duty at the time and in no way to blame. His injuries were deemed serious but not likely to affect his performance as a soldier.
Herbert was demobilised on 28th March 1919
Gunner William Kean 4839 R.F.A.
William Keam was born in Widnes in 1889. His parents were Elizabeth and Richard Keam, a general labourer.
Their return for the 1891 census shows they lived at 4 Cholmondeley Street, Widnes. Interestingly, Richard Keam was from St Austell, so the other William Keam on the CWGC may have been a relative.
source: 1891 census Ancestry.co.uk
The 1901 census return shows that Elizabeth was a widow. The family (Elizabeth and 5 children) were still living at 4 Cholmondeley St, now with 2 boarders. They were enumerated incorrectly as Keen.
source: ancestry.co.uk 1901 census
At the time of the 1911 census the family are somewhat split up. Elizabeth and her new husband were living at 28 Cholmondeley St, Widnes. William Keam (working as a chemical labourer) and his brother Herbert Keam are with them, as are 4 more children, apparently 3 from this marriage and one from James Herbert's previous marriage.
However, when looking for Elizabeth's other 3 children I found that Elizabeth Keam was working as a servant and Harriet and Thomas Henry Keam were both inmates at West Derby Union Cottage Homes, Fazakerly. The cottage homes were for children who were orphaned, or whose families couldn't cope with them for some reason. Stays there could be temporary eg while a mum was in hospital having a baby, or they could be permanent - until they were old enough to find work and a place to live or had to move to another institute for older children.
click here to go to the wikipedia page about the chemical industry in widnes -
WW1 Medal card source: ancestry.co.uk
William's medal card shows that his medals were inscribed wrongly (KEAN) and were returned to be fixed.
None of William's service papers have survived, we know from the information on his medal card, CWGC entry and UK Soldiers Died in the Great War entry that William was a Gunner in 'D' Bty, 147th Bde of the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery with regimental number 4839.
He died of wounds in the 'Western European Theatre' France and Flanders on 23rd October 1916 and is buried at HEILLY STATION CEMETERY, MERICOURT-L'ABBE which is in the Somme area of France.
At the time William died, this cemetery was used by 3 Casualty Clearing Stations so it is likely that he was recovered from where he was wounded but died of his wounds while still in a clearing station and didn't make it to a hospital.
click here to see the CWGC database entry for William (opens in new window)
The following information is from UK Soldiers who Died in the Great War
| Name: | William Keam |
|---|---|
| Birth Place: | Widnes, Lancs |
| Death Date: | 23 Oct 1916 |
| Death Location: | France & Flanders |
| Enlistment Location: | Preston, Lancs |
| Rank: | Gunner |
| Regiment: | Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery |
| Number: | 4839 |
| Type of Casualty: | Died of wounds |
| Theatre of War: | Western European Theatre |
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Not strictly about William Keam - his brother Herbert enlisted on 3rd Sept 1914, he was in B Coy 12th Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment. His papers have survived and show that he was promoted to Corporal. On 12th Dec 1917 Herbert was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry and devotion to duty in the field (gazetted 19/3/18 p3465)He was then attached to the 66th Infantry Brigade Headquarters but on 7th February1918 had a bicycle accident which left him with serious head injuries, a court of enquiry found that the injuries were accidental, Herbert was on duty at the time and in no way to blame. His injuries were deemed serious but not likely to affect his performance as a soldier.
Herbert was demobilised on 28th March 1919
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