WW1 Casualty: Private 300406 Andrew Watkinson - Private 300406 Andrew Watkinson
| Unit/Regiment |
18th Bn., King's (Liverpool Regiment) |
| Date of Death |
28/03/1918 |
Age at Death |
24 |
Burial/Memorial
& Reference |
Pozieres Memorial
Panel 21 to 23 |
| Census Details |
1901 Census -
Living at 1 Eccleston Hill, Eccleston, were Henry Watkinson, a 3 year old Watch Factory Stock Manager, his wife Jeannie (42) and children Jeannie (15), Henry (14), Catherine (11), Bessie (9), Andrew (7), George (4) and Colin (11 months)
The 1911 Census showed the family living in Portico Lane, Eccleston. Andrew was a 17 year old Auctioneer's Clerk
|
| Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations |
Birth Registered Q2/1894, Prescot, 8b, 683 |
| SDGW - Where Born |
Prescot, Lancs |
| Enlisted |
Knowsley |
| Resided |
Prescot, Lancs |
| How Died |
Killed In Action |
Theatre of War |
France & Flanders |
| Notes |
Andrew Watkinson attended Prescot Grammar School, starting there in 1904. He is commemorated on the Grammar School Memorial |
| Research Ref. No. |
P293 |
Service DetailsAndrew Watkinson's Medal Card does not show a Date of Entry, meaning that he did not go overseas before 1st January 1916. His date of transfer to the King's (Liverpool) Regiment is not known, but the number (300406) was issued in the renumbering of Spring 1917.
By the beginning of 1918, the 18th Battalion were out of the line in the Sercus area, close to Hazebrouck in northern France. In early February, the Battalion was transferred to 89th Brigade. On 21st February, they took over part of the line south of St Quentin. There was little action of note until 5th March when the Germans launched a raid which was quickly beaten off.
The Battalion was based at Vaux by the 20th March, and they were about to be caught up in the great German Spring offensive, which was launched on 21st March.
On 23rd March, the 18th were called to reinforce the Royal Irish Fusiliers at Etreillers but withdrew in the afternoon. They arrived at Ham around 7.30 pm and took up positions south of the town. At 1.00 am on the 22nd, they received orders to evacuate their position and to take up a new line close to the canal. One party of the battalion were now engaged with the enemy, and this continued throughout the morning. Another party took up positions to the right of the Ham-Esmery-Hallon road.
The situation was quiet for the rest of the day.
On 24th, the Germans came on in strength and the ground was contested yard by yard, though the battalion was forced to fall back to the Canal du Nord.
I have no details of the Battalion actions over the next few days, but they appear to have been involved in continuing actions with the enemy.
Andrew Watkinson is reported to have been killed in action on 28th March. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial.
The document "Register of Soldier's Effects" lists his death as being "assumed", meaning that his body was never recovered or identified, and this also shows his next of kin as hos father, Henry.
Andrew Watkinson's Medal Index Card showing service with the Lancashire Hussars before transfer to the King's (Liverpool) Regiment
Andrew Watkinson's inscription on the Pozieres Memorial
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