Also Served: Cornelius Mainwaring - Cornelius MAINWARING
Eccleston Lane Ends, Prescot Private 1963, South Wales Borderers (Later Private 94723, Machine Gun Corps)
Born in Aberdare in Glamorgan around 1894, Cornelius was listed as a 16 year old Collier Fitter at the time of the 1911 census, living at 4 South View, Mount Pleasant, Merthyr Tydfil.
His Medal Index Card shows service with the SWB before a move to the Machine Gun Corps, and it appears that it was with MGC that he first went overseas, to Cameroon in May of 1915.
Cameroon was part of the German Empire and on the outbreak of war in 1914, the British and French invaded. They quickly captured Duala, giving them harbour facilities, and then commenced actions against stiff German defence which lasted until March 1916. Although it can't be stated for certain, it would be likely that Cornelius was transferred to France after this.
Family legend says that Cornelius was wounded in France and spent time convalescing at Ranhill Hospital.
Cornelius was entitled to the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
After the war, he married Agnes Carrier, sister of Bill Carrier, and the family settled in Prescot, with Cornelius working at the BICC. It would appear that they had 10 children between 1920 and 1936. Cornelius was the victim of a hit and run accident which resulted in his eventual death in 1963, aged 68.
He was buried at St Helens Cemetery on 25th June 1963. Agnes died in 1986 and is now in the same grave as Cornelius.
Cornelius was the brother in law of Bill Carrier Ref. No.:
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