Unit/Regiment	20th Bn., King's (Liverpool Regiment)
Date of Death	30/07/1916		Age at Death		22
Burial/Memorial & Reference	Thiepval Memorial Pier and Face 1D 8B and 8C
CWGC Family Details (if shown)	Son of William and Eliza Smith, of 83, Chester Rd., Kidderminster, Worcs.
Census Details	1901 Census – The Smith family lived at 47, Tea Street, Kidderminster. The family comprised parents William, a Labourer, and Eliza, both aged 35, and their children John Edward (7), Margaret Eliza (5) and William (3).
Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations	Birth registered in Q1/1894, Kidderminster, Volume 6c, Page 233
SDGW – Where Born	Kidderminster, Worcester	Enlisted		Seaforth, Lancs.	Resided	Prescot
How Died	Killed In Action			Theatre of War	France & Flanders
Notes	SDGW has second name as Henry
Research Ref. No.	P257

Service Details

Although John Smith’s family were from Kidderminster, he is shown to have been living in Prescot at the time he died. Also, his enlistment in Seaforth supports his local connection.

The 89th Brigade, which included the 17th, 19th and 20 battalions of the King's, returned to the trenches in the third week of June, although the 20th Battalion did not move into the forward trenches until the 23rd, the day before the opening barrage of the forthcoming battle of the Somme.

Several battalions of the King's (Liverpool Regiment) were involved in the first attack on Guillemont in the Somme campaign. This attack took place on the 23rd July but failed. Another attempt was ordered for the 24th, but was then cancelled for a further 48 hours as the French troops involved had not moved up in readiness. Attacks planned for 26th and 28th were also postponed for the same reason, but the next attack was ordered to take place on 30th July.

The 89th Brigade included the 17th, 19th and 20th Battalions of the King's. For the assault on Guillemont, the 20th were to attack on the right and the 19th on the left. The 17th were to be in support in the trenches running from Trones Wood, with the Bedfordshire Regiment in overall support.

Zero hour was 4.45 a.m. on 30th July 1916.

The battalion diary states "At 4.45 a.m. prompt the attack was launched. Unfortunately, a thick mist prevailed and it was impossible to see more than 10 yards ahead. This continued until about six o'clock when it lifted slightly, but it was still too hazy and impossible to see what was happening 100 yards away. This being so it was not surprising to find that he attacking waves were experiencing great difficulty in maintaining connection."

At 6 a.m., Lt Melley of No 1 Company reported that he had gained the German Maltz Horn Trench. Shortly after, 2/Lt. Moore reported that he had 150 men with him but he was the only officer remaining. Both his flanks were "in the air". At 9.10, the same officer reported that he now only had 75 men. He had sent two patrols in front but neither had returned.

Just after 10 a.m. 2/Lt. Musker reported that he had just over a company under his command but that the Germans were enfilading his left flank with machine-gun fire. At 11.30, the same officer reported that the machine-gun fire had caused over 30 casualties. All efforts to contact the party failed, all runners sent from battalion HQ being either killed or wounded. No further information was received by Muskers's party until its remnants were brought back by Lt. Worsley at about 9.30 p.m.

The total casualties in the battle for the 20th King's were 16 officers and 357 other ranks killed, wounded or missing. Amongst these was Private Smith. His body was never identified and he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

 

John Smith’s Medal Index Card. He was entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Unit/Regiment	54th Bde HQ, Royal Field Artillery
Date of Death	11/12/1918	Age at Death	23
Burial/Memorial & Reference	Kirechkoi-Hortakoi Military cemetery 565
CWGC Family Details (if shown)	Son of Mary Robinson (now Stephenson), of 171, Ellen St., Preston, Lancs, and the late Nathan Robinson. Native of Prescot
Census Details	1901 Census - Living at 56, St Thomas Road, Preston, were James Smith (32, an Insurance Agent), his wife Mary (28), Nathan Robinson (5), Frank Robinson (3), both Mary's sons from her first marriage, and 1 year old James J Smith, son of James and Mary
Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations	Birth registered Q4/1895, Prescot, Vol 8b, Page 683
Notes	Nathan Robinson (senior) married Mary Leather in Prescot in early 1895, their son Nathan being born later that year. At that time, the Robinson family lived in Station Road, Prescot.  Nathan (senior) died in early 1898 aged 32 and in mid-1899, his widow Mary married James Smith in Prescot, the family then moving to Preston.
Research Ref. No.	P322

 

Service Details

XVI Corps Headquarters were at Kirechkoi from January 1916, soon after the opening of the Salonika campaign, until the advance to the Struma in September 1916. Kirechkoi-Hortakoi Military cemetery was begun in March 1916, but it remained a very small one until September 1917, when the 60th, 65th and 66th General Hospitals came to the neighbourhood. In June, July and September 1918, other hospitals were brought to the high and healthy country beside the Salonika-Hortakoi road and in September 1918, the influenza epidemic began which raged for three months and filled three-quarters of the cemetery.

Given the date of Corporal Smith’s death, it seems likely that he was one of the victims of the epidemic.

 

Nathan Smith’s Medal Index Card. He was entitled to the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal

Unit/Regiment	5th Bn, South Lancashire Regiment
Date of Death	10/03/1915		Age at Death		22
Burial/Memorial & Reference	Calvaire (Essex) Military Cemetery I J 5
Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations	Marriage to Ann Smith registered in Prescot, Q2/1913, Volume 8b, Page 1075   Daughter Doris born Prescot, Q4/1913
SDGW – Where Born	Prescot	Enlisted		Prescot	Resided
How Died	Killed in Action			Theatre of War	France & Flanders
Research Ref. No.	P258

Service Details

The 5^th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment, had just started its annual training in camp when war broke out in August 1914. It was sent to Edinburgh until October, then moved to Tunbridge Wells until February 1915. It was then ordered to France, sailing on the 13^th aboard s.s. King Edward., arriving at Le Havre the same day.

Over the next few days the battalion marched to billets at Le Bizet, and then undertook instruction in trench warfare. The system was for companies from a battalion to be attached to other battalions for spells in the line, before the sector was allocated to the battalion on its own. In addition to the trench duty, the battalion undertook its share of pioneer work and training in rapid fire.

This period of initiation continued throughout March, with no specific actions. Just two casualties were recorded in the whole month, one of whom was Private Smith. He rests in Calvaire Military Cemetery.

 

Prescot Parish Magazine of 29^th March 1915 reported “Rifleman Thomas Smith of Kemble Street met his death (instantaneously) while defending a barricade on March 10^th 1915. Pte. T. Smith was 22 years of age and leaves a widow and daughter.”

 

 

Thomas Smith’s Medal Index Card.

Unit/Regiment	2/5th Bn., Manchester Regiment
Date of Death	07/10/1917		Age at Death		20
Burial/Memorial & Reference	Tyne Cot Memorial Panel 120 to 124 and 162 to 162A and 163A.
CWGC Family Details (if shown)	Son of Albert Edward and Louisa Smith.
Census Details
Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations
SDGW – Where Born	St. Helens, Lancs	Enlisted		St Helens, Lancs	Resided	Prescot, Lancs
How Died	Killed In Action			Theatre of War	France & Flanders
Notes
Research Ref. No.	P259

Service Details

The battalion was formed at Wigan in August 1914. In November 1914 they became part of the 199th Brigade, 66th Division. They remained in Lancashire until about May 1915 then moved to the to Crowborough area.

In March 1916 the battalion moved to Colchester and they finally embarked for France in February 1917.

  

William Smith’s Medal Index Card. He was entitled to the British War medal and Victory Medal

Unit/Regiment	2nd Bn, Lancashire Fusiliers
Date of Death	26/06/1918		Age at Death		35
Burial/Memorial & Reference	Prescot Churchyard NP 130
Census Details	1891 Census – 10 year old Frederick Stanley is living at Eccleston Lane Ends with his parents James (47, a Blacksmith) and Mary (48) and siblings George (17, a Market Gardener), Elizabeth (7) and Sarah (5).  1901 Census – Frederick aged 20 and working as a Teamster on a Farm. He is living with his in-laws, the Grayson family, at 1, Boggers Lane, Eccleston. This is the home of his elder sister Susannah.
Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations	Birth Registered Q3/1880, Prescot, Volume 8b, Page 699 Death Registered Q2/1918, Lambeth. This shows him to be aged 37
SDGW – Where Born	Eccleston, Lancashire	Enlisted		Prescot	Resided	Eccleston
How Died	Died of Wounds			Theatre of War	Home
Notes	Age discrepancy noted between Birth and Census records and the age shown by CWGC
Research Ref. No.	P314

Service Details

In May 1918, the 2^nd Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers was located around Bethune in the Pas De Calais. Extracts from the War Diary of the month, below, give an indication of their activities around this time, and the number of casualties being incurred on a daily basis even though they were not involved in any major operations.

 

 

1 May, Pacaut Wood

The battalion relieved the 2^nd Essex Regiment in the right sub-sector of the Rifle Brigade. Lt. E. E. Elliott, 2^nd Lt. N.S.S. Malpas, 2^nd Lt. J.E. Mutch and 2 Other Ranks (OR) joined the battalion

2 May

In the line. Situation unchanged, 3 OR wounded

3 May

In the line. Situation unchanged. 2^nd Lts A Pickering, A C Mitchell, W J Chalmers, W L Morgan joined, 1 OR killed, 6 OR wounded.

The diary continues throughout the month as the battalion moved in between being in the line and being in billets, incurring a steady stream of casualties.

4^th May – 2 OR killed, 5 OR wounded

8^th May – 1 OR killed, 7 OR wounded on working party, 123 OR joined.

12^th May – 3 OR wounded

13^th May – 2^nd Lt Greenwood wounded, 1 OR killed, 10 OR wounded

16^th May – 3 OR wounded, 20 OR joined

17^th May – 4 OR wounded

18^th May – Lt E Hartley killed on working party, 8 OR wounded

19^th May – Lt. Col. J W Watkins, DSO, MC, wounded, 2 OR killed, 20 OR wounded

21^st May – In billets. 34 OR joined

24^th May – 2 OR wounded

25^th May – 4 OR wounded

26^th May – 2 OR wounded

27^th May – 3 OR wounded

28^th May – 1 OR killed, 3 OR wounded

29^th May – 1 OR killed

30^th May – 1 OR wounded

31^st May – 1 OR killed, 2 OR wounded

It can be seen from this extract that casualties were being incurred almost on a daily basis throughout the month. It is possible that Frederick Stanley was one such casualty. His death occurred in London in June 1918, which would fit in with the usual timeframe for a soldier moving through the chain of First Aid Post, Casualty Clearing Station, Field Hospital, etc., but of course it is possible that he was wounded earlier.

His family chose to bring him home for burial and he rests in Prescot Churchyard.

 

Frederick Stanley’s Medal Index Card lists his entitlement as the British War Medal and Victory Medal.  It appears that he medals were returned for adjustment after they had been sent out, perhaps as a result of a spelling mistake on the medal.

Unit/Regiment	3rd/5th Bn, South Lancashire regiment
Date of Death	31/07/1917		Age at Death		25
Burial/Memorial & Reference	Buffs Road Cemetery C 5
CWGC Family Details (if shown)	Son of Mrs. M. E. Stanley, of 49, Cross St., Prescot, Lancs.
Census Details	1901 Census - The family lived at 41, Cross Street, Prescot. Peter Stanley (46, a market gardener) and his wife Mary (36), and children James (24), Peter (20), William (10), Robert (9), Joseph (6), Maud (3), and Florence (11 months)
Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations	Birth registered Q1/1892, Prescot, 8b, 668
SDGW – Where Born	Prescot, Lancs	Enlisted		St Helens, Lancs	Resided
How Died	Killed In Action			Theatre of War	France & Flanders
Research Ref. No.	P260

Service Details

At the outset of war, each Battalion, such as the 5^th, would have had a “second line” battalion, formed to provide reinforcements and replacements. This battalion would have been designated, for example, the 2^nd/5^th Battalion.

However, by 1915, the ever-increasing demand for men led to these “second line” units becoming field units. As a consequence, a “third line” was formed to train reinforcements and also to act as a depot for personnel evacuated sick and wounded from the front after their discharge from hospital.

To implement this scheme, the 3^rd/5^th Battalion was raised. Few records have survived for these third line units, although owing to the heavy losses sustained on the Western Front by the parent units in 1915 and 1916 man hundreds of officers and men were simply trained and dispatched to France to fill the gaps. Private Stanley will have been one such man.

We can be reasonably sure that he was serving with the parent Battalion, the 5^th, as he is buried in Buffs Road Cemetery, just north of the hamlet of Wieltje. The 5^th Battalion were based here in June 1917, preparing for the attack on the Gheluvelt-Langemarck Line, in what came to be known as the Third Battle of Ypres – better known as Passchendaele.

The Battalion were tasked with taking an area known as “The Black Line”. The artillery barrage commenced at 3.50 a.m. and the attack began with the Liverpool Scottish in the lead at 5.5 a.m.

As the attack had commenced in the dark, it had encountered light opposition and the initial “Blue Line” was reached with very few casualties. As it became lighter, the German fire increased but the attackers maintained their pace to within 200 yards of the objective. The advance was held up at this point by machine gun fire but the arrival of two tanks soon had them on the move again and they surged into the German trenches, with lots of hand-to-hand fighting and bombing.

By nightfall the new line was secure. 

The Battalion had lost 1 officer and 27 other ranks killed, with 5 officers and 133 other ranks wounded, 1 officer and 11 other ranks missing.

It is hard to say with any certainty which point in the battle caused the death of Private Stanley, but his body was recovered and buried at Buffs Road Cemetery.

The Parish Magazine (date unknown), reported “Pte. Robert Birchall Stanley, aged 34, of 49 Cross Street. 5th South Lancs., fell in action on 31st July 1917. As one of our local coal dealers he was well known in Prescot.”

 

Extract from the Prescot Reporter, 14/09/1917

Unit/Regiment	10th Bn., Cheshire Regiment
Date of Death	07/06/1917		Age at Death		28
Burial/Memorial & Reference	Messines Ridge British Cemetery II D 16
CWGC Family Details (if shown)	Husband of Florence Woodyer (formerly Stanley), of 2, Foster St., Parr, St. Helens, Lancs
Census Details	1901 Census - Daniel Stanley lived with his parents Edward (49, a Carter) and Alice (45) at 3, Cairue (??) Street, St Helens. Also there were Margaret (20), Alice (17), William (18), Edward (16) and Richard (3 months)
Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations	Birth registered Q3/1889, Prescot Marriage to Florrie Jones registered Prescot, Q3/1910, Vol 8b, Page 1284
SDGW – Where Born	Prescot, Lancs	Enlisted		St Helens, Lancs	Resided
How Died	Killed In Action			Theatre of War	France & Flanders
Notes	Formerly 14052 Liverpool Regt.
Research Ref. No.	P261