Prescot Roll of Honour

Alexander BOOMER

49 Albany Road, Prescot

Private 3244, 5th Bn., King's (Liverpool) Regiment

Alexander was the brother of Joseph Boomer

Attesting to the army on 7th December 1914, Alexander Boomer, aged 27, stated that he had previously served with the Canadian Militia, although no dates were shown. His next of kin was listed as his brother John Boomer, of 16, Halsall Street, Prescot. Alexander had been born in Liverpool in 1888 and lived at Lane Ends, Whiston at the time of the 1901 census. By the time of the 1911 census, the family lived at 11, Ward Street, Prescot. Alexander, by then aged 23, was a Colliery Labourer.

It seems clear that at sometime between 1911 and the outbreak of war, Alexander migrated to Canada.

The only details of his military service which can be determined are that his rank was Bandsman. On 25th November 1915, a letter was sent to the Records Office at Preston from the Administrative centre of the regiment stating that they wished to discharge Boomer. In the letter, it was stated that Pte Boomer was serving as a member of Lord Derby's recruiting Band, and had enlisted under 'special conditions'.

Alexander was discharged on 24th December 1915, having seen no overseas service. He was discharged as being unfit for military service, receiving a Gratuity of 5 pounds and 5 shillings.

Alexander married Winifred Hesketh in Prescot early in 1919 and then in May he submitted a claim for repatriation to Galt, Ontario, Canada for himself and his wife, Winifred May Boomer. The claim was 'On Domestic Grounds' and stated that he had arrived in Liverpool as a Third Class passenger on board the 'Hesperion' on 6th October 1914. He stated that his wife had not been abroad before. His handwritten letter to support his claim stated 'I am anxious to get back to Canada as the country suits me better in every way'.

In support of his claim, a letter was sent by his employers, the Liverpool Electric Cable Company of Linacre Lane in Bootle to confirm that he had been employed by them between 24th January 1918 until 20th February 1919.

In June, he received a letter (to the Albany Road address) from the Repatriation Office stating that his claim for repatriation had been approved and that passage would be arranged.

No details of the actual date on which the Boomers left the UK has been found, but he appears to have returned and is listed in the 1939 National Register (below) living at 16, Halsall Steet, Prescot.