Pioneer Alfred James Trafford 63668

Pioneer Alfred James Trafford

Identification

There was only one Alfred J Trafford on the CWGC database and their records show his parents lived very close to St James’s Church.

Family Information

Alfred J Trafford was born on the 18^th January 1883 at 86 Radcliffe Street, Liverpool. His parents were Matilda and James Richardson Trafford, a shipping clerk. The birth certificate shows that his mother had been married before, her name being ‘Matilda Trafford, late Kelly, formerly Blair’.

The 1891 census shows the family lived at 5 Upper Stanhope Street (Matilda, James and 4 children) with another 7 people listed as lodgers.

We know that James was a pupil at St James’s School, Toxteth and was a member of the 10^th Liverpool Boy’s Brigade.

The 1901 census shows the Trafford family were still living at 5 Upper Stanhope Street although Matilda was a widow and head of the household. She was working as a charwoman and had 5 of her children living with her. Alfred was 19 on this census and his occupation was boat builder. He served his shipwrights apprenticeship with Mr Philip Winram and Sons, Jordan-street, Liverpool.

The 1911 census doesn't show much change in Alfred's situation, he was 29 and still living at 5 Upper Stanhope St with his mother and siblings. He was still working as a boat builder.

Military information

A newspaper report of his death shows that Alfred J Trafford joined the 86^th Company, Royal Engineers on January 15, 1915 and on July 4 went out with the 11^th Division M.E.F. (Mediterranean Expeditionary Force) arriving at Gallipoli on ‘the memorable Aug. 6’. 

The medal rolls show that he served with the Royal Engineers as a Pioneer with the regimental number 63668. They show that he disembarked 7/8/15 and died of wounds 1/11/15.

The Medal Index Card adds that he first entered the theatre of war Egypt on 7/8/1915 and was eligible for the British War Medal, the Allied Victory Medal and the 1915 Star.

He was in the 86th Company of the Corps of Royal Engineers, in February 1915 this company had been attached to the 11th (Northern) Division. They embarked from Liverpool on 30th June 1915 and landed at Lala Baba in Sulva Bay on 6-7th August which matches Alfred J Trafford’s date of disembarkation.  

The WW1 website The Long Long Trail has an explanation of what is a Field Company. and information on the 11th Division Gallipoli landings.

Death and commemoration

Information from UK Soldiers Died in the Great War (below) shows that Alfred died on 1st November 1915 at Gallipoli. The newspaper article shows that he died from a gunshot wound in Tigne Military Hospital on Malta.

Name:	Alfred James Trafford
Birth Place:	Liverpool
Death Date:	1 Nov 1915
Death Location:	Gallipoli
Enlistment Location:	Liverpool
Rank:	Pioneer
Regiment:	Corps of Royal Engineers
Number:	63668
Type of Casualty:	Died of wounds
Theatre of War:	Balkan Theatre
Comments:	86Th Field Coy., R.E.

Alfred J Trafford was buried in Malta, which was used as a hospital and convalescent base for the wounded from Gallipoli and Salonika. He lies in grave D.I.6 of Pieta Military Cemetery. His mother chose to have the following inscribed on his grave:

Lead, Kindly Light, Amid the Encircling Gloom. From Mother, Liverpool.

Click here to see the CWGC database entry for Alfred James Trafford

The following article was printed in the Liverpool Echo on 10^th Feb 1916:

The younger brother mentioned in the article was Corporal Henry William Trafford 12993 who served with the Grenadier Guards in France and survived the war. Alfred James had been a witness in 1911 when he married Ethel Sybil Lambert in St James's Church. 

Captain Thomas James Prichard M.C.

Captain Thomas James Prichard M.C.

Identification

There was only one result for T J Prichard in the CWGC database and it gave the 'other information' that he was from Liverpool.  A further confirmation that it is the correct person is the M.C. which is noted on the memorial and the CWGC entry.

Family information

Thomas James Prichard was born in Liverpool on 17th July 1894. He was baptised in St Cleopas' Church, Toxteth, on 8th August and the baptism record shows that his parents were Thomas and Elizabeth Jane Prichard and they lived at 6 Madeline St. Thomas was a Clerk.

In the 1911 census Thomas and Elizabeth Jane Prichard were living at 45 Tennyson St, Liverpool with their 6 children and Elizabeth's mother, Isabella Holden.

Thomas James was their eldest child, in this census he was 16 years old and working as a junior clerk in a shipping company office. His father was a bookkeeper in a fruit broker’s office. We know that Thomas James went on to work at the White Star Line company and was an employee of the company at the time of the Titanic disaster.

Military information

Thomas Prichard has an entry in De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour, transcribed here:

PRICHARD, THOMAS JAMES, M.C. Capt., 1^st Battn. (4^th Foot) The King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regt) elder s. of Thomas Prichard of Prince’s Park, Liverpool, by his wife Elizabeth J., dau of Thomas Holden; b Liverpool co. Lancaster, 17^th July 1894; educ Liverpool Institute, where he was a member of the O.T.C.; entered the service of the White Star Line in 1910 while continuing his military training in the 6^th (Territorial) Battn. The King’s Liverpool Regt. Volunteered for active service on the outbreak of war and was attached to the Army Cyclist’s Corps; was gazetted 2^nd Lieut. The South Lancashire Regt 18 Sept 1915; promoted Lieut 1 July 1917 and Capt 19 Oct of the same year. Served with the Expeditionary Force in France from May 1916, being transferred to the King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regt) 28^th March 1916, and was killed in action near Arras 28^th March 1918. Buried at Fampoux. His commanding officer wrote: “He was killed while gallantly leading his men in action. Thanks however to the impetus he had given his men, the gap was filled and the line held by his company for the remainder of that day and the next until they were relieved.” and a brother officer: “He was almost worshipped by the men, who admired his wonderful quiet bravery under fire, his untiring energy out of the line in doing all he could to entertain and provide comforts, and his never-changing fairness to everyone and fearlessness in playing the game.” The White Star Line, in an appreciation of the deceased officer also wrote: “His death at the early age of 23 removes one who, in the short period he was destined to serve in the White Star Line, gave promise of attaining the same honourable position in the world of commerce that he achieved in the Army. Essentially thorough in all he did and gifted with an unerring memory, his somewhat serious manner covered a dry sense of humour which, coupled with a generous and amiable disposition, endeared him alike for ability and character to his colleagues.” He was awarded the M.C. (London Gazette 1 June 1917) for special bravery and coolness in an attack by a hostile patrol, and was twice mentioned in dispatches (London Gazettes 4 Jan and 22 May 1917) by F.M. Sir Douglas Haig for gallant and distinguished service in the field; unm.

The medal rolls entry for Captain T. J. Prichard M.C. shows that he was eligible for the Victory Medal and the British War Medal with the oak leaves emblem to show he was mentioned in despatches, he would also have received a certificate for each mention.

The medal index card shows that his father applied for his medals in 1922 and gave his address as 45 Tennyson Road.

Death and Commemoration

Captain Thomas J Prichard was killed in action on 28^th March 1918, aged 23. The fact of his death was noted in the war diary (below) but no details.

28/3/1918 In Trenches

Enemy attack N of R Scarpe, Battn occupied MISSOURI, STOKE & LOGIC trenches. Captain Pritchard killed. 2/Lts Murray, Frances, McCartney and McPhereson wounded. ESSEX lost heavily, 2^nd Lancs Fus and 1^st K.O. only left in Bde. Two Battn HQ in old Bde HQ LEMON TRENCH. Battn lost about 70 casualties in O.R.

29-31^st In the line. Battalion heavily shelled on 29^th.

There is not much information about him in UK Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-1919

Name:	Thomas James Prichard
Death Date:	28 Mar 1918
Rank:	Temp Captain
Regiment:	King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
Battalion:	1st Battalion
Decoration:	MC
Type of Casualty:	Killed in action

Thomas J Prichard was also commemorated on a plaque at his old school, The Liverpool Institute, this memorial was dismantled in the 1980s and lost then recovered, restored and rededicated on the original site (now part of  Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts) click here to go to the Liverpool Institute Old Boys website which has information and pictures of the rededication.

Captain Thomas J Prichard was buried in a small military cemetery. Fortunately his grave marker survived until his body was exhumed after the war and he was reburied in Piont du Jour Military Cemetery, Athies in grave II.D.21. Other soldiers buried near him were unidentified and are now only ‘Known Unto God’.

His family chose to have the following inscription added to his headstone:

The Lord gave, The Lord hath taken away, Blessed be His name.

Click here to see the CWGC database entry for Thomas James Prichard M.C.

Probate and soldiers’ effects records show that Thomas J Prichard left his effects to his father.

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.

Messrs Jones & Willis Ltd

Yay! This week I received permission to apply for a grant from the War Memorials Trust with the good news that the new funding for War Memorials means that they have changed the grant structure, previously it was up to 50% with a max of £3000, now it is up to 75% with a max of £30,000

That's some increase! It means that I can apply for up to £7,500 of the £10,000 needed.

Part of the application form is giving information about the history of the memorial and as I was gathering my information for this I found a note in the vestry minutes book which I had overlooked before...

I didn't know who made the memorial but it is written in the minutes that the vestry "approved the design submitted by Messrs Jones & Willis." now this isn't proof that the memorial was made by Jones & Willis but it's unlikely that they would have approved their designs then gone to another company! I am visiting the archives next week to check for further information.

Jones & Willis Ltd were a Birmingham-based company formed about 1850, they supplied church furniture, fabrics, clerical robes, carved wood and stone items, metalwork and stained glass. They had premises in London and Liverpool (Concert St off Bold St) A 1905 catalogue of their items is available here on the Internet Archive (free out-of-copyright images, opens in new window) It doesn't show anything that matches the memorial but it is 15 years too early, if anyone finds a later catalogue please let me know!