Prescot Roll of Honour

© Prescot Reporter

Service Details

Michael's attested initially to the 11th Battalion of the South Lancashire regiment at Prescot on 26th May 1915, the day after his 28th birthday. His address was 45, High Street Prescot and he worked as a Collier. He was assigned to the 13th Battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment.

On 25th March 1916, he went absent for 2 days and when he returned to barracks he was sentenced to 7 days 'Confined to Barracks' and fined 3 days pay. Then on 3rd July, he again went absent, this time for three days and was deducted 5 days pay.

He was immediately assigned to the Class W Army Reserve, and went home to await the call to service.

On 14th June 1917, Michael was still working in Prescot and wrote to the War Office asking them 'on what footing I now stand'. He stated that he was a married man with 4 children and that he felt that it was 'my duty as a patriot to return to the army'. By this time, the Qualter family were living in Oldfield Road, St Helens, and Michael stated that he was now assigned to the 13th Battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment.

The depot adjutant replied to him on 7th July 1917, advising him to travel to the Orford Barracks for service.

Michael was charged on 19th September 1917 with overstaying his pass for 24 hours whilst based at Barrow, for which he was sentenced to 10 days Confined to Barracks.

It isn't clear when Michael was assigned to the 6th Battalion. They were in Mesopotamia and remained in the area of Sheikh Saad throughout most of 1916 and were still engaged with the Turks at Kut around the beginning of 1917. The 6th Battalion struggles with the Turks continued on and off in a series of engagements throughout 1917, ending the year in the Jabal Hamrin hills.

Clearly Michael Qualter had joined the Battalion at Wellington Barracks in India by the middle of 1918, because on 16th July 1918, he was charged with 'Not complying with an order' and 'Being out of bounds of Range Camp'. Being found guilty, he was sentenced to 14 days detention.

As with other men at the base, Michael made a will. In this, he left all his personal effects and belongings to his wife, Mrs Mary Qualter of 75, Oldfield Street, St Helens. In the event that she had died, then they were to go to his mother, also Mrs Mary Qualter, of 2, Moss Street, Prescot.

Sandfly fever, dysentery and malaria were rampant and this was the fate of Private Qualter, who is recorded as having died on 15th October 1918. His record of death notes that he died in the hospital at Wellington Barracks of 'Enteritic Fever'. He is buried in Wellington Garrison Cemetery.

The original register entry from the War Graves Commission states that Pte Qualter died of Enteric and that he was the son of Michael and Mary Qualter of 2, Moss Street, Prescot.

He was buried in Grave No 9, Plot A, at Wellington on 16th October with the service being conducted by the Garrison Chaplain.

After the war was over, the Parish Magazine reported on 27th November 1918, 'The following names to be added to the list of honour' and included 'Pte. Michael Qualter , 33, of the S. Lancs. Died in India in hospital on 17th September 1918, of 9, Hill Street. He leaves a widow and four children.'

I cannot account for the discrepancy between the official date of death and that reported in the Parish Magazine. I assume that there was some accidental misinformation provided to the church by the Qualter family. Neither can I explain why the parish magazine records the address as 9, Hill Street; my assumption is that after initially living with Mary's family (see 1911 census details above), Michael and his family moved back to Prescot.

In September 1919, the Records Office returned his effects to his wife, listing them as 'Key of Heaven Prayer Book, Sacred Heart Badge in Case, 1 Bundle of Letters, Photographs & Greetings Cards, 1 set of Rosary Beads, 2 identification discs'.

An Entry from the Prescot Reporter, courtesy of Ste M.

Michael Qualter's Medal Index Card