Prescot Roll of Honour

Service Details

It seems highly likely that Edward Fowler had enlisted once before the above referenced service. There is a set of service records surviving at the National Archives for a Private 2858 Edward Fowler of the 5th Battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment which probably relate to the same man.

2858 Fowler attested for service in Prescot on 19th September 1914. The records show that he lived at 16, Derby Square, Prescot and that his next of kin was his father, Thomas Fowler of the same address. His service only lasted until 14th October 1914, when he was discharged as 'Medically Unfit'.

His initial medical inspection at attestation shows his to be aged 19 years and 1 month, to be 5 foot 6 inches tall and to have a 37 inch chest measurement, His vision and general physical development were both recorded as 'Good'. It was his later, more detailed, medical which found him to be not fit for service and led to his discharge.

There is only one birth recorded in Prescot in the mid-1880's for Edward Fowler, and that is the one shown in the table above. Similarly, the 1901 census shows only one entry for Edward Fowler, with a father called Thomas, and they lived at 23 Derby Square at the time.

Consequently, it seems likely that Edward joined up with the South Lancashire Regiment within a few weeks of the outbreak of war but for whatever reason, he was classed as unfit for service and discharged within a few weeks. He then appears to have enlisted again, this time with the King's (Liverpool) Regiment, with whom he served and died. He was recorded in the Prescot Reporter of MAy 1915 as serving with the KIng's.

The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, from 31st July to 2nd August 1917, was the first part of the Third Battle of Ypres, and the King's (Liverpool) Regiment had no less than ten battalions involved, including the 1/5th, with Pte Fowler.

On the night of 30th/31st July, the battalion formed up in the assembly trenches, ready to go over the top. It was a particularly dark morning and at Zero hour, 3.50 a.m., the men experienced great difficulties in keeping proper distance. Both the 1/5th and 1/6th advanced up to the barrage and took the German front line with little opposition. There are few records surviving of the detail of the operation, however, and the battalion diary sums up the whole attack by saying 'Battalion attacked at 3.50 a.m. Operation orders attached herewith. Four officers wounded, Casualties other ranks - wounded 105, killed in action 26, missing 45.'

Pte. Edward Fowler was one of those killed. His body was recovered and he was originally buried in the Commune St Jean Cemetery, though his body was exhumed and reburied in New Irish Farm as part of the post war concentration of burials.

The Register of Soldiers Effects

The original attestation paper signed by Edward Fowler

Edward Fowler's Medal Index Card

Edward Fowler's grave at New Irish Farm Cemetery