The case family lived at 8, Highfield Place, Prescot. William Case, a 42 year old labourer, lived with his wife Ann (40), sons William (14, a butcher's errand boy) and Isaac (10) and daughter Mary Jane, aged 14.
1911 Census – William Case, a 24 year old General Labourer at the Wire Works, lived at 44, Warrington Road, Prescot, the home of his brother-in-law Thomas Woodward (29) and sister Mary Jane Woodward (27).
Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations
SDGW – Where Born
Enlisted
Warrington, Lancs
Resided
Prescot, Lancs
How Died
Killed In Action
Theatre of War
France & Flanders
Notes
Although William has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, his family had his details inscribed on the family gravestone in Prescot Churchyard.
Research Ref. No.
P043
Service Details
The 7th (Service) Battalion of the South Lancashire Battalion was formed form the large number of recruits who flocked to the colours as a result of Kitchener’s appeal in August 1914. The 6th and 7th Battalions were formed within a few days of each other but the 7th did not receive any uniforms until October, having to wear civilian clothes up to that time.
William Case attested to the South Lancashire Regiment on 23rd November 1914 in Warrington and was posted to the 7th Battalion 4 days later.His address was recorded as 2, Beaconsfield Street, Prescot. He was 27 years and 9 months old when he attested, a labourer and unmarried. His next-of-kin was listed as his sister, Mary Jane Woodward, living at the same address.Medical Records from Warrington on 23rd November 1914 show that he was 5ft 5in in height with a 38 inch chest, expandable by 3 inches. He had 3 vaccination marks on his left arm and was marked 6 out of 6 for vision in both eyes.
The battalion was eventually trained and fully equipped by March 1915.
The Regimental Conduct Sheet shows that whilst based at Tidworth on 4th May 1915, he overstayed his (leave) pass, only returning 4 days later on 8th May. For this offence, on 10th May 1915 he was “Deprived 8 days pay”.
An extract from William Case’s conduct sheet
On 12th June 1915 whilst still at Tidworth, Pte. Casesuffered from a bout of “Gastritis” until 19th June. On 17th July the battalion embarked for France on the SS “Onward”, arriving at Bolougne the following day.
They moved into the line for the first time on 28th August, in the Festubert-Givenchy sector. They moved in and out of the line in rotation for several months, enduring the daily grind of warfare, with trench raids, artillery attacks, etc. to contend with, incurring a steady stream of casualties.
In June 1916, the battalion was ready to join the great Somme offensive. On the 1st July, they moved into the line at 9.30, some 3 hours after the start of the assault, and waited for instructions. They were moved around for the next two days, but did not as yet engage the enemy. On 3rd July, they were tasked with an attack on the strongly defended ruins of La Boisselle, although the start time for the attack was not until 9.30 p.m. The attack was fierce and sustained extremely heavy casualties, but the village was finally cleared by bayonet point at 3pm the following day.
The battalion was withdrawn from the line early on 6th July, moving back to rest billets at Albert.
They moved in and out of the line throughout July as the battle of the Somme wore on, until finally at the beginning of August, they moved northwards into Flanders, to the Messines Ridge. They moved on again in September to the vicinity of Ploegsteert but spent a relatively quiet time there before yet again returning to the Somme in October, although the time was uneventful with regard to major incidents.
The High Command, however, decided to carry out more large scale operations before the bad weather set in, and on 13th November, the 19th Division attacked and captured a portion of the German trench system on the banks of the River Ancre..
Although the 7th Battalion was not involved in the initial fighting, that night it carried out a raid in strength on the German positions near to Thiepval. The raid was launched in the early hours of the 14th November and comprised three companies. “A”, “B” and “D” companies were involved, and at the end of the raid they had suffered 1 officer and 15 other ranks killed, 2 officers and 38 OR wounded and with 2 officers and 4 men missing.
Pte. William Case was amongst those killed. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval memorial to the missing.
His Casualty Form has an entry dated 21st November 1916 which states that he was wounded on 14th November. An additional entry of 2nd December 1916 reports that he was Killed in Action on 21st November. The “Place” is listed as “not stated”.
This suggests that after the action he was missing from Roll Call but one of his colleagues, who must have recognised him, will have reported seeing him wounded. Further evidence of his death must have come to light, probably from another colleague, resulting in him being reported as Killed in Action. This can be assumed because if no evidence of his death could be determined, then his “missing” status would have remained in place for 13 months. If his body was ever recovered, it was never identified.
On 10th February 1917, the War Office wrote to the Army Records Office requesting that any personal effects of Pte. Case should be dispatched to his sister, Mary Jane Woodward at their home address.
In determining the relevant next of kin, the Army Records Office wrote to his sister (Mary Jane Woodward) on 19th November 1919 asking for the relevant forms to be completed. She did so on 28th November 1919 and in this she reported that Pte. Case’s father was James Case, living at the Whiston Union. His mother was not recorded. His 29 year old brother, Isaac Case is listed at 16, Salisbury Street, Prescot and a 39 year old sister Ellen Tudor is resident at 416 Mill Street, Liverpool.
The Army Records Office wrote to the Prescot Union on 19th February 1920, “I have been informed that Mr. James Case, father of the above deceased soldier, is an inmate of your institution, and as Mr. Case is entitled to receive the Memorial Plaque and Scroll which is being presented to the next-of-kin of soldiers who lost their lives through the war, I shall be glad if you would interview him and ascertain whether he is desirous that the memorial should be forwarded to him at his present address. It is understood that Mr. Case has a son and daughter living in Prescot and Liverpool respectively.”
Mr. G E Green of the Prescot Union, “The Workhouse”, Whiston, replied to the Army Records Office on 24th February that “the father of the deceased 15944 Pte. Wm. Case desires that the memorial plaque be sent to him here”.
His medal entitlement was the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. The medals were dispatched to 2, Beaconsfield Street, Prescot, on 14th March 1921. The medal entitlement is shown on the Medal Index Card below, which also confirms his arrival in France on 18th July 1915.
William’s Medal Index Card. He was entitled to the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal
The family grave in Prescot churchyard, bearing Pte. Case’s inscription
Driver 686221 William Frederick CASE
Unit/Regiment
"B" Bty., 277th Bde, Royal Field Artillery
Date of Death
13/08/1917
Age at Death
21
Burial/Memorial & Reference
Brandhoek New MilitaryCemetery
I AA 2
Census Details
1901 Census -
24 Ward Street was the home of James Case, a 39 year old Watch Maker, his wife Jane (41) and their children Gertrude (10), Harold (8), William (5) and Ellen (2).
1911 Census – The Case family lived at 4, St Helens Road, Prescot. 38 year old James, a Watch Repairer, and his 51 year old wife, Jane, had been married for 21 years and had 5 children. Gertrude (20), Harold (18), Ellen (12) and James (8) were joined by William Frederick (14), a Butchers Errand Boy
Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations
Birth Registered Q3/1896, Prescot, 8b, 699
SDGW – Where Born
Prescot, Lancs
Enlisted
Liverpool
Resided
How Died
Killed In Action
Theatre of War
France & Flanders
Notes
Research Ref. No.
P044
Research ongoing
Service Details
The Parish Magazine of 30th August 1917 reported “"Gunner William Frederick Case of the 3rd West Lancs RFA, August 13th. Also killed in action. His home is No 4, St Helens Road. Gunner Fred Case was also a general favourite with all who had to do with him. He was only 21, but had proved himself a most efficient gunner. Mr. James Case, his father, and the family have the sympathy of all of us in their loss”.
William Case’s Medal Index Card
William Case’s grave in Brandhoek New Military cemetery
Pioneer WR/26465 William CASE
Unit/Regiment
Roads and Quarries, 343rd Coy, Corps of Royal Engineers
Date of Death
08/03/1918
Age at Death
32
Burial/Memorial & Reference
Cerisy-GaillyMilitaryCemetery
II A 17
CWGC Family Details
(if shown)
Son of Mr. H. Case, of 5, Almshouses, Sewell St., Prescot, Lancs.
Census Details
1901 Census -
Henry Case, a 46 year old General Labourer, lived at No 1 Court, 2 House, Rowson Street, Prescot, with his wife Mary (40), and children Nellie (20) and May (18), both of whom were employed as Watch Polishers, son William (14), an apprentice Pivot Maker, and scholars George (6) and Elizabeth (2)
1911 Census – Henry Case (55), a Labourer at the Sewage Farm, and his wife Mary (50) had been married for 32 years. 5 of their 6 children were still living and three of these lived with their parents. William (24), was a labourer for the Urban District Council. George (16) was a Labourer at the Wire Works and Elizabeth (12) was at school.
William Case originally attested into the 14th Battalion of the South Wales Borderers in Warrington on 15th March 1916. He gave his address as “Sewage Farm, Prescot” and his next of kin was his father, Henry, at the same address.He was unmarried, aged 29 years and 9 months. He was employed as a Pavior and stated that he had previously served for 9 months with the 2nd Voluntary Battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment, i.e. the Territorials.
His medical suggested that he was not fit for front line service and was instead marked as suitable for labouring work.
His surviving papers show that although he remained in the UK until 3rd May 1917, when he joined the British Expeditionary Force in France, he actually transferred to the 23rd (Works) Battalion of the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment on 16th June 1916, and then was transferred again to the 343rd Railway Construction Company, Royal Engineers on 19th April 1917.
He remained in France until 8th March 1918, when he is recorded as having died from haemorrhage and shock in 41st Stationary Hospital, Gailly, as a result of being run over by a lorry.On 13th March, the Army Records Office was further informed by telegram that Pioneer Case had suffered a ruptured femoral artery in the accident and a compound fracture of the left knee.
This is confirmed as being a case of accidental death by the survival of two witness statements, reproduced below:-
Accident report on Pioneer WR/26465 William Case
Died 8 March 1918 (41st Stationary Hospital, Gailly, France)
Statement by Private H W Steele: "I saw a lorry coming, exceptionally slowly barely moving, and walking just in front of the lorry also very slowly was an Engr. Instructor, and when he was 3 yards in front of the lorry, he suddenly halted, and the lorry was almost on the top of him, when he moved on 2 or 3 steps and again halted and the lorry was on to him, before it could be stopped - and the Engineer fell sideways and the left hand side front wheel went over him. And a P/W attempted to pull him out, but failed. The back wheel then went over him."
Statement by driver, Private 164992 R C Browne: "The sapper was directing a lorry which had to be off-loaded by his road party. Te lorry, which was moving at about 2 mph, caught one of his feet. He was thrown down and the hind wheel of the lorry passed over both his legs".
An extract from William Case's Attestation papers
An extract from the Accident report into William Case’s death
His possessions were returned to his father on 18th June 1918 and comprised 1 disc, letters, Christmas cards, a pocket wallet, a razor in a case, metal cigarette case, a pocket knife, 2 cap badges, 1 pair metal numerals, and a metal ring.
In July 1919, his mother completed a “Next of Kin” declaration for pension purposes. This listed his family as his father Henry, mother Mary and sister Elizabeth (aged 30), all living at the Sewage farm, Prescot, brother George, 24, living in Lytham and married sister Margaret Ellen Attwood, 38, living in Huyton Quarry. As with so many of these forms, the witness was Councillor William Lucas.
The Parish Magazine of 25th March 1918 added 6 names to the existing 100 who had already fallen, including “Sapper William Case, 31, Royal Engineers. Died in hospital in France 7th March 1918. Lived at the Sewage Farm House”.
William Case's grave at Cerisy-GaillyMilitaryCemetery
Private Case’s Medal Index Card lists his entitlement to the British War Medal and Victory Medal. It also shows details of his initial service with the Royal Engineers, then with the South Wales Borderers and King’s (Liverpool) Regiment, before moving back to the Royal Engineers.
Private 20484 Thomas CASLIN
Unit/Regiment
South Lancashire Regiment
Date of Death
21/05/1919
Age at Death
47
Burial/Memorial & Reference
Prescot Churchyard
Census Details
1901 census -
Thomas Caslin is shown as a 28 year old Coal Miner living at 14, Highfield Place, Prescot. He is married to Elizabeth (25) and they have two daughters, Margaret (5) and Annie (1).
His death certificate shows that he died at home, 6 Mill Street, Prescot in 1919
1911 Census - The Caslin family lived at 14, Market Place, Prescot and comprised Thomas (38) and Elizabeth (36) with their children Margaret (15), Peter (9) and Joseph (2).
Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations
Married Elizabeth Mercer, Q2/1895, Prescot, 8b, 1051
Death registered Q2/1919, Prescot, 8b, 650
Notes
Also492523, Labour Corps and 292450 Border regiment
Next service number to Thomas Chadwick, suggesting that perhaps they were friends who enlisted together
Thomas Caslin is not commemorated by CWGC.
Research Ref. No.
P046
Service Details
Thomas Caslin’s pension records at the National Archives show that he enlisted in St Helens on 8th September 1914 at the age of 41 years 10 months old, signing on for the duration of the war. He is shown to be a Roman Catholic. He enlisted in the South Lancashire Regiment as Private 20484.
His casualty form notes that he embarked from Southampton on 6th November 1915. He had medical treatment on 11th December 1915 but was returned to duty. His record then shows a succession of treatments from 25th December 1915 to 29th April 1916 at places such as Rouen and Etaples,
On 1st May 1916 he was at Calais then on 15th May he returned to England. On 11th July 1917 he was transferred to 11thBedfords, and then he is shown being transferred from the “B” Company, 11th Battalion, Bedfordshire regiment, as Private 292450, to the Labour Corps in Lowestoft.
His medical report dated 19th February 1918 at Beddington, near Croydon again shows his disability to be “Incontinence of Urine”, further saying that it occurred initially in May 1916 inFrance and “Patient states that whilst in France he first noticed that he wet his clothes. He was sent to Rouen No 8 GeneralHospital then invalided to England in June 1916”. Another note says “First admitted to hospital for incontinence of urine 11th March 1916”. The cause of his disability is shown as “ordinary military service during the present war”. His present condition is “Frequently gets up at night to pass water and also passes it whilst sleeping” and “backache”. He is also shown to have “lost most of his teeth”, is of “poor physique and has evidently lost weight” and is finally recommended for “Discharge as permanently unfit” by Lt. W. W. Walker of the Royal Army Medical Corps.
On 7th March 1918 at Nottingham, his final date of discharge was confirmed as 26th March 1918, having served 3 years and 200 days with the Colours. His discharge paper notes that he served in France from 6th November 1915 to 13th May 1916.
His pension sheet states “Cause of Discharge” to be “Physically unfit” due to “Incontinence of Urine” caused by exposure whilst on active service. His disability is classified as “Permanent” and he was awarded a 20% pension with an expiry date of 25th March 1919.
He is shown to have three dependent children. Joseph, born 01/03/09, Lily Mary (24/03/12) and Francis (07/10/15).
At the time of discharge, he is shown as serving with 363 Reserve Employment Company, Labour Corps as Private 492523. Further he is shown to be 45 years old, 5 foot6 inches tall and of a fresh complexion. He had Grey eyes and Dark Brown hair. His pre-war trade was shown to be “Machine Hand” and his home address as 6 Mill Street, Prescot, Lancashire.
He was discharged under Kings Regulations Para 392 “No Longer Physically Fit For Service”. His character was shown to be “Good” and it was stated that his disability was due to active service.
On 21st November 1918, his review took place at Parr Hall, Warrington with a result of his pension being set to 80% with a review requested in 6 months, plus hospital treatment. This review also notes that he is suffering from hypertrophy of the liver, aggravated by military service.
His pension award is shown as 22 shillings per week, with an additional 12s 8d for his three children.
His pension papers note that he died on 21st May 1919.
Notification of Thomas Caslin’s death in 1919
Thomas Caslin’s Medal Index Card listing his entitlement to the 1914-1915 Star, having arrived in France on 6th November 1915, in addition to the British War Medal and Victory Medal. It also notes his discharge date of 26th March 1918.
Above and below are extracts from Thomas Caslin's Deact Cerwtificate
Private 20485 Thomas Edward CHADWICK
Unit/Regiment
11th Bn, South Lancashire Regiment
Date of Death
25/01/1921
Age at Death
44
Burial/Memorial & Reference
Prescot Churchyard
Census Details
1901 census -
Thomas Chadwick was aged 24 and working as a Copper Wire Splicer at the Wire Factory. He was married to Mary, aged 20, and they had an 11 month old daughter, Victoria
1911 Census - Thomas Chadwick lived at 3, Cambridge Street, Prescot. He was 37 years old and worked at the Wire Works as a Copper Wire Brazzer. He had been married to his wife Mary for 11 years and they had 5 surviving children living with them; Victoria, Harriet, Louise, Thomas and George
Marriage to Mary Elizabeth Case registered Q4/1899, Prescot, Vol 8b, Page 1326
Death registered Prescot, Q1/1921, Vol 8b, Page 755
SDGW – Where Born
St Helens
Enlisted
Resided
Notes
Next service number to Thomas Caslin, suggesting that perhaps they were friends who enlisted together
Also served as 49376, Lancashire Fusiliers
Research Ref. No.
P047
Service Details
Thomas Edward Chadwick was 39 years and 1 month old when he attested for service on the 8th September 1914. His Attestation papers show that he was employed as a Joiner and was married.He was 5ft 4 inches tall, weighed 112 pounds and had a chest measurement of 34 inches, expandable by 2 inches.
His wife is recorded as Mary Elizabeth Chadwick of 1, Kelly Street, Prescot. Her maiden name was Case and they had married at the Wesleyan Chapel in Rainhill in December 1899 and had six children; Victoria May (14/04/1900), Florence (08/04/1904), Louisa (20/04/1906), Edward (27/06/1908), Annie (31/03/1912) and a final child whose name is not known, born 23/08/1916.
Thomas Chadwick’s service record, showing details of his marriage
He was given army service number 20485 and was allocated to the St Helens Battalion (11th) of the South Lancashire Regiment. The 11th (Service) Battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment was formed in September 1914 from the third contingent of volunteers called for by Lord Kitchener.
Initial training took place on Salisbury Plain and in early 1915, the Battalion became a “Pioneer” Battalion with the 30th Division. It had been decided that each of the New Army divisions should have an extra battalion included in its establishment to carry out road-making and other semi-technical work frequently called for in the field. The 11th Battalion was known as the “St Helens Pioneers” in honour of the fact that the majority of the men came from St Helens.
The Battalion finally left for France in November 1915, disembarking at Le Havre on the 7th. The Battalion strength was 30 officers and 1,007 other ranks. Thomas Chadwick’s Medal Index Card, shown below, confirms that he was part of the battalion at this time.
They served for the remainder of 1915 in the SommeValley, carrying out work in the trenches. They suffered a few casualties, mainly to German snipers, but otherwise their first few weeks in the field proved uneventful.
At some point in the war, he was transferred to the Lancashire Fusiliers and allocated number 49376. It is not known when this happened or why.
Upon discharge in 1919, a note on his papers states that he was a “very good servant”. His medal entitlement was the 1914-1914-1915 Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal.
Thomas Chadwick died on 25th January 1921 at Whiston Workhouse at the age of 44. The cause of death was recorded as Cirrhosis of the Liver and Kidney, and Dropsy. The death certificate recorded that he lived at 18, Kelly Street and worked as a Copper Wire Drawer at the Wire Works. The informant was his sister-in-law, Mrs E. Mercer, of 73 Houghton Street.
Thomas was buried in Prescot churchyard a few days later.
His wife Mary acknowledged receipt of his medals on February 7th, 1922 by which time Thomas had been dead for a year
Thomas Chadwick’s Medal Index Card
Thomas Chadwick's Death Certificate. Note the address of "1, Warrington Road, Whiston", which was used as it was no longer acceptable to put the Workhouse (or its infirmary) as the place of death.
Gunner 187308 Edward CHARLES
Unit/Regiment
544th Siege Bty., Royal Garrison Artillery
Date of Death
06/11/1918
Age at Death
36
Burial/Memorial & Reference
Fretin Communal Cemetery
13
Census Details
1901 Census -
Edward was a 19 year old Railway Engine cleaner, living at 12 Wentworth Street, Everton. He lived with his widowed mother Celia, aged 64, and 29 year old sister Jane.
1911 Census -
Edward lived at 3, Gidlow Road, Stanley which was the home of his brother in law John Powell. Edward was 29, unmarried and worked as a Casual Labourer.
Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations
Birth Registered Q1/1882, Prescot, 8b, 696
SDGW – Where Born
Prescot, Lancs
Enlisted
Liverpool
Resided
How Died
Died of Wounds
Theatre of War
France & Flanders
Notes
The graves at Fretin are those of soldiers who died in the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station at the end of October and early November, 1918.
Research Ref. No.
P048
Research ongoing
Edward Charles’ Medal Index Card shows that he originally arrived in France on 6th October 1914, for which he was entitled to the 1914 Star. He was also entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
