JOHN DALEY
Private John Daley 23757, Lancashire Fusiliers, 2nd Bn. Killed in action 12/10/1916. He lived at 40 Westmoreland Place.
John is buried at Guards' Cemetery, Lesboeufs in France, and remembered on the war memorial at St Anthony's church, Scotland road.
John is buried at Guards' Cemetery, Lesboeufs in France, and remembered on the war memorial at St Anthony's church, Scotland road.
WILLIAM DALEY
My father was called William Daley,known to family and freinds as Bill. He was born after the Great War in 1918, his family lived in Elstow Street, migrating to Tintern Street as the family grew. He was a bright young boy and could have gone to college, but his mother said she could not afford it. As soon as his schooling ended he was put to work in a drum manufacturer's where he served an apprenticeship as a sheetmetal worker. Through his best mate he met the girl he was later to make wife. Bill was a devouted Roman Catholic and Jessie, my mum was Church of England. In 1930's Liverpool that was considered beyond the pale and was the cause of much friction between the families. However, love prevailed and Bill and Jessie got wed in a registry office. Neither family approved of that and when the babies came along, there was a tug of war to see who could get them christened first. My sister, who was two years older than me, was baptised in St Johns RC church in Fountains Road. The 2nd World war was on, and in the spring of 1942 I came along.
Bill was working in Watsons in town, he was a foreman and they were making parts for the aircraft manufacturer's. He tried to to get into the Royal Navy, like his best mate, Tom Hengler, because was a skilled tradesman he was not allowed to leave his job. Frustrated in his attempts to serve in the military, he volunteered for the Auxilliary Fire Service. During the May Blitz his feet hardly ever touched the ground as there were so many fires and not enough fire fighters. He was in a team that operated mobile suction pumps that were mounted on a two wheel trailer. These units could be hauled by small vans and they got their water from fire hydrants or EWS (Emergency Water Supply ) tanks. They were dotted around all over Liverpool, Usually a piece of waste ground was utilised ,and a hole was excavated, lined with waterproofing and surrounded by a brick wall.
He never spoke of the sights he encountered during the Blitz, my mum was privy to everything, but we children never heard any stories from him. Mum said he would be away for days at a time, and when he came home, he would be exhausted. He still had to go to work at Watsons, so he was either working or sleeping. He could never spend too much time at leisure.
Mum told us of the time he came home wrecked. He had to attend some fires at a street in Kirkdale. A couple of houses had been bombed there were a few teams of firemen clearing the rubble and dousing the fires. As dad was clearing some rubble he came across the body of a close friends young son. Mum said that when he came home he was traumatised and could hardly talk. During that period death and massive injuries were part of his daily round, and he was just one of many; no counselling in those days. As a little boy, I was so proud of my dad, he kept his uniform at home and I would try to put it on. The helmet was so big and his tunic so heavy, that I could'nt walk far in it.
Soon after VE Day, dad was conscripted into the REME and life was never the same afterwards.
Submitted by his son Brian Daley.
Bill was working in Watsons in town, he was a foreman and they were making parts for the aircraft manufacturer's. He tried to to get into the Royal Navy, like his best mate, Tom Hengler, because was a skilled tradesman he was not allowed to leave his job. Frustrated in his attempts to serve in the military, he volunteered for the Auxilliary Fire Service. During the May Blitz his feet hardly ever touched the ground as there were so many fires and not enough fire fighters. He was in a team that operated mobile suction pumps that were mounted on a two wheel trailer. These units could be hauled by small vans and they got their water from fire hydrants or EWS (Emergency Water Supply ) tanks. They were dotted around all over Liverpool, Usually a piece of waste ground was utilised ,and a hole was excavated, lined with waterproofing and surrounded by a brick wall.
He never spoke of the sights he encountered during the Blitz, my mum was privy to everything, but we children never heard any stories from him. Mum said he would be away for days at a time, and when he came home, he would be exhausted. He still had to go to work at Watsons, so he was either working or sleeping. He could never spend too much time at leisure.
Mum told us of the time he came home wrecked. He had to attend some fires at a street in Kirkdale. A couple of houses had been bombed there were a few teams of firemen clearing the rubble and dousing the fires. As dad was clearing some rubble he came across the body of a close friends young son. Mum said that when he came home he was traumatised and could hardly talk. During that period death and massive injuries were part of his daily round, and he was just one of many; no counselling in those days. As a little boy, I was so proud of my dad, he kept his uniform at home and I would try to put it on. The helmet was so big and his tunic so heavy, that I could'nt walk far in it.
Soon after VE Day, dad was conscripted into the REME and life was never the same afterwards.
Submitted by his son Brian Daley.
THOMAS DEVEREUX
Private Thomas Devereux 102346, Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) 1st Bn. Died of wounds 27/08/1918, aged 22. Thomas was a pupil at St Anthony's school, he enlisted with the Liverpool Kings Regiment in Liverpool on 12 December 1915 and was mobalised on 20 January 1916. He gave his age on enlistment as 19 years and 9 months, his occupation is Billiard Maker and his address 59 Anderson Street, Liverpool. He was 5 feet 8 inches tall with a chest measurement of 33 inches and had a small mole on his right lower arm, his next of kin is listed as his mother Mary.
Thomas left from Folkstone for France on 14 February 1917, arriving the same day in Boulonge. On 16 July 1917 he is wounded in action, then on 28 August 1917 he is taken sick in the field and admitted to a field hospital with malaria. He is admitted to as hospital at Rouen on 30 August 1917 and from there is moved to Etaples on 12 September 1917, where he stays until 28 September 1917 when he is put on a ship for England. Thomas arrives in England that day and is taken to the Albert Hall Military Hospital in Nottingham. He remains in Nottingham until 18 October 1917 when he is transfered to Kings Lane Military Hospital in Blackpool, staying here until his discharge on 20 December 1917, happily it looks like he spent christmas 1917 at home.
On 22 March 1918 Thomas is fined 6 days pay for being absent from 14-19 March. Then on 27 March 1918 Thomas leaves again for France arriving at Etaples and being assinged to the Sherwood Foresters regiment. He is posted in the field with the 7th Foresters on 1 April 1918 and arrives with them at their base in Calais on 7 May 1918. On 17 June 1918 he is posted to the 1st Battalion of the foresters and moved into the field. Sadly on 25 August 1918 Thomas is wounded in battle suffering a gun shot wound to his back and abdomen and he dies the following day.
Please note that his service records and SDGW state his date of death as 26/08/1918 and the CWGC state 27/08/1918. I would assume that the Army records would be correct and 26 August is the date of death.
Thomas's property was returned to his parents back in Liverpool and his father sent a note to the Army saying " The only article we care about is his watch which we did not recieve "
Thomas is buried at La Targette British Cemetery, Neuville-St. Vaast in France, and remembered on the war memorial at St Anthony's church, Scotland road.
Thomas left from Folkstone for France on 14 February 1917, arriving the same day in Boulonge. On 16 July 1917 he is wounded in action, then on 28 August 1917 he is taken sick in the field and admitted to a field hospital with malaria. He is admitted to as hospital at Rouen on 30 August 1917 and from there is moved to Etaples on 12 September 1917, where he stays until 28 September 1917 when he is put on a ship for England. Thomas arrives in England that day and is taken to the Albert Hall Military Hospital in Nottingham. He remains in Nottingham until 18 October 1917 when he is transfered to Kings Lane Military Hospital in Blackpool, staying here until his discharge on 20 December 1917, happily it looks like he spent christmas 1917 at home.
On 22 March 1918 Thomas is fined 6 days pay for being absent from 14-19 March. Then on 27 March 1918 Thomas leaves again for France arriving at Etaples and being assinged to the Sherwood Foresters regiment. He is posted in the field with the 7th Foresters on 1 April 1918 and arrives with them at their base in Calais on 7 May 1918. On 17 June 1918 he is posted to the 1st Battalion of the foresters and moved into the field. Sadly on 25 August 1918 Thomas is wounded in battle suffering a gun shot wound to his back and abdomen and he dies the following day.
Please note that his service records and SDGW state his date of death as 26/08/1918 and the CWGC state 27/08/1918. I would assume that the Army records would be correct and 26 August is the date of death.
Thomas's property was returned to his parents back in Liverpool and his father sent a note to the Army saying " The only article we care about is his watch which we did not recieve "
Thomas is buried at La Targette British Cemetery, Neuville-St. Vaast in France, and remembered on the war memorial at St Anthony's church, Scotland road.
JOHN DOLAN
Private John Dolan 242130, Lancashire Fusiliers, 10th Bn. Killed in action 25/08/1918, aged 21. Thomas was a pupil at St Augustine's school. While in the Army he was awarded the Military medal for gallant conduct on duty in France. He was the son of Nicolas and Bridget Dolan, of 57, Arley St.
John is buried at at Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont in France, and remembered on the war memorial at Our Lady of Reconciliation church, Eldon street.
John is buried at at Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont in France, and remembered on the war memorial at Our Lady of Reconciliation church, Eldon street.
BISENTIE ( VINNIE ) DOMINGO
My name is Joseph Domingo, I was born on 2nd May 1941 at Mill Road hospital during the blitz. The hospital like a lot of other buildings was bombed and badly damaged; a lot of staff and patients were killed. As you may imagine the place was in turmoil people trapped in the rubble etc. including me, I was missing for 24 hours before being reunited with my mother, looking back I obviously considered myself and mum very lucky. My mother walked home with me through the bombed streets to our house in the South end.
Prior to this my father Bisentie Domingo, ( know as Vinnie) had been torpedoed the week before and like many seaman at the time his pay stopped almost as the ship sank beneath him, consequently after landing at the pier head just in the clothes that he was wearing when the ship was torpedoed, he met his latest offspring and the rest of the family and almost immediately signed on a Harrison boat The Statesman and sailed to Boston USA, the ship was on its homeward voyage that again his ship was bombed off Northern Ireland only a couple of hours from Liverpool, my father could not swim and was doing his utmost to stay afloat by doggie paddling, he was helped by the skipper who could swim , to a life raft and was picked up by the escort ship.
The story goes, that having walked home from the Pier Head in his bare feet with a blanket around him, he embarrassed my house proud mother.
Submitted by Joe and Mary Domingo
Prior to this my father Bisentie Domingo, ( know as Vinnie) had been torpedoed the week before and like many seaman at the time his pay stopped almost as the ship sank beneath him, consequently after landing at the pier head just in the clothes that he was wearing when the ship was torpedoed, he met his latest offspring and the rest of the family and almost immediately signed on a Harrison boat The Statesman and sailed to Boston USA, the ship was on its homeward voyage that again his ship was bombed off Northern Ireland only a couple of hours from Liverpool, my father could not swim and was doing his utmost to stay afloat by doggie paddling, he was helped by the skipper who could swim , to a life raft and was picked up by the escort ship.
The story goes, that having walked home from the Pier Head in his bare feet with a blanket around him, he embarrassed my house proud mother.
Submitted by Joe and Mary Domingo
WILLIAM HENRY DUMBELL
My cousin had told me that his Uncle Billy had died in the Blitz, but he couldn't remember many details, other than that he was an ARP Warden. I searched and found him, William Henry Dumbell died 3rd May 1941 aged 37. Living in Holborn St, Low Hill he actually died in Plumpton St. (off Everton Rd)
I know that was the height of the May Blitz and Billy was "one among many". The family story is that he trod on an explosive device that was designed to kill in exactly that way.
Submitted by Val G
I know that was the height of the May Blitz and Billy was "one among many". The family story is that he trod on an explosive device that was designed to kill in exactly that way.
Submitted by Val G
WILLIAM DUFFY
Private William Duffy 48851, The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 12th Bn. Killed in action 07/03/1917. William was educated at St Alphonsus school, St Francis Xavier's and Hammersmith. At the time of joining the Army he was a schoolmaster at Eldon street school. He was a member of the A.O.H, the Irish club, and the Gaelic league, as well as holding the position of deputy organist at Our Lady of Reconciliation church, Eldon street.
William was a most enthusiastic Irishman, whose aim was to bring to the notice of the Irish people the beautiful Irish ballads and music. The MP J.D Nugent wrote " His loss was a severe one not only for his parents, but to the Nationalist of Liverpool. Who where personally attached to him. R.I.P "
In a letter to William's mother who lived at 196 Commercial road his officer in command wrote " Your son always performed his duty well, and was held in great esteem by all ranks of the battalion for his good comradeship and cheerful disposition. Whilst attending to a wounded comrade he himself recieved a fatal wound "
William was a most enthusiastic Irishman, whose aim was to bring to the notice of the Irish people the beautiful Irish ballads and music. The MP J.D Nugent wrote " His loss was a severe one not only for his parents, but to the Nationalist of Liverpool. Who where personally attached to him. R.I.P "
In a letter to William's mother who lived at 196 Commercial road his officer in command wrote " Your son always performed his duty well, and was held in great esteem by all ranks of the battalion for his good comradeship and cheerful disposition. Whilst attending to a wounded comrade he himself recieved a fatal wound "
WILLIAM EDWARDS
William served in World War II I am his Great Niece. He was my Grandad's brother and he died in the War he is buried in Toxteth cemetery.
Submitted by his great Niece Louise Lacy
Submitted by his great Niece Louise Lacy
THOMAS EGAN
Corporal Thomas Egan 358681, The King's (Liverpool Regiment), "Z" Coy. 1st/10th Bn. Killed in action 30/11/1917, aged 25. Thomas wa a pupil at Our Lady R.C school, Eldon street and later was a member of the Y.M.S at the church. He was the son of Thomas and Mary Egan of 49 Eldon Place.
Thomas went missing in action on 30th November 1917 and his family placed numerous adverts in newspapers seeking information about him. A few months later they recieved the news from one of Thomas's schoolfriends who was then a prisoner of war in Germany, that he had died the day that he went missing, a shot through his heart had killed him instantly.
Thomas is remembered on the Cambrai Memorial, Louveral in France, and on the war memorial at Our Lady of Reconciliation church, Eldon street.
Thomas went missing in action on 30th November 1917 and his family placed numerous adverts in newspapers seeking information about him. A few months later they recieved the news from one of Thomas's schoolfriends who was then a prisoner of war in Germany, that he had died the day that he went missing, a shot through his heart had killed him instantly.
Thomas is remembered on the Cambrai Memorial, Louveral in France, and on the war memorial at Our Lady of Reconciliation church, Eldon street.
WILLIAM ELLISON
My Great Uncle William Ellison enlisted with the Liverpool Kings on the 9th July 1914 as Private 33605. He was wounded on the 1st May 1915 and recovered, but sadly was killed while with the Cheshire Regiment on 27th July 1916.
Submitted by his Great Nephew John Hutchinson and his wife June.
Submitted by his Great Nephew John Hutchinson and his wife June.
THE EMERY BROTHERS
In November 1923 25 year old Thomas Emery married Annie Florence Clark and are known to have had 3 children: Thomas W born 1924; Robert born 1925; and Philip G born 1927.
In November 1926 his 25 year old brother Robert Emery married Annie Louise Evans and are also known to have had 3 children: Thomas born 1926; Doreen J born 1927; and Robert born 1929.
Both men are believed to have had impaired hearing which made them unfit for combatant duties in the Armed Forces.
On the night of the 3rd of May 1941, while serving as a volunteer Fire Watcher, Robert was killed during an air raid. His death cert indicates his body was found on the 5th of May at the corner of Hawthorne Grove and Dorothy Street. At the time Robert was living at 27 Plimsoll Street, Liverpool.
His brother Thomas literally 'disappeared' the same night on his way home from working late but his body was either never found or identified. As his 'named' death is not in the Casualty Lists for Liverpool or in the General Registry Office Death Index, it is possible he is one of the 5 'Unknown' deaths in Liverpool South in the Index for the 2nd quarter of 1941. 'Unknown' indicates that the body was never identified.
If his body was found but never identified he would have been interred on May 13th 1941 in a common grave in Anfield Cemetery together with 549 other unidentified casualties, who became known as the 'Unknown Warriors of the Battle of Britain'.
Submitted by their Nephew Brian
JOHN EVANS
Late 1940 and I am going home from a nearby cousin. it is pitch black and there is nobody about seemingly but me. No moon and lowering cloud, and the urgent throb of the engines of a low flying bomber , approaching from the lower reaches of the river, bent on mine laying no doubt. Searchlights were up, and one beam was deflected at a crazy angle from a moisure filled cloud, and while there was no threat to me, the whole scenario was spooky, and a little shiver was felt in my spine.
I went to work at the Co-op bakery in Price Street from October 1940 working six nights a week, sixty five hours a week, putting up confectionary orders for the 47 horse drawn vans which had street rounds, and the motor vans which covered the shops.. There were three of us, one a conciencious objector. No tin hat for the worker, and I walked the mile plus keeping close to walls were possible as shell splinters buzzed down. A flare hung in the sky. We went into the street to see what was going on, and saw a bomber held in searchlights with all guns letting fly at it as it flew on into cloud
Things had been hotting up, and I was in the habit of being on the streets with my cousin, as we were on the night of march 12th/13th. The sirens on our side were slowing down to a growl, while those in Liverpool continued to wail. Stiff fingers of searchlights were gathered, unmoving, the moon was three quarter. A bomber was approaching from the south unmolested, until suddenly, flicker flicker flicker of white lights as guns opened up, silent, until sound caught up with light and all hell was loose. Incendiaries burned with bluish white light, taking on a rosy glow as fire took hold: tthe sound of breaking glass.
Several hours on, we were outside my cousin's house in Liversidge Roard, Higher Tranmere, where we had been noting the huge red glows from the north end , Laird Street area near the docks. Suddenly a strange and menacing sound, roar, pause, roar, pause, and we fled up the path and behind the front door , the explosion seconds later. It was a parachute mine, displacing air as it swung back and forth, and an approximately 8 foot by near 2 feet in diameter monstrosity spelled out doom to those who heard it approaching. No quick swish of a bomb for them, just the knowledge that they were going to die. It fell in Milton Road, with 11 dead. Another, unknown to me at the time, had fallen at the bottom of Well lane, Lower Tranmere with 26 dead, including a family of 8, the children ranging from 7 to 19. A third demolished a school and houses in Bratten Road i think, corner of that road and Borough Road. On a street map, i bet you could draw a near straight line through them.
A couple of hours in bed and i was off to Parkhall Camp, Oswestry, thinking to myself as I heared people talk, that we were the only ones who spoke the King's English. I was in North Wales as I heard the bombers heading for Liverpool night after night.
We used to have a 3.7 static ack-ack gun in Wirral until Peel Ports got shut of it. I thought it it should have been permanently on show given the history of Merseyside but they thought differently. it is now in Hartlepool.
My mother , self and younger sister lived at 44 Thompson Street, Higher Tranmere and the crockery rattled as the air raid tunnel was being constructed beneath us, It wasn't for the general public however, as later revealed in the press.
Mother being very hard up, dashed down to Lairds ? and took in four naval blokes, two being Petty Officers, and two ratings, from the Lairds built cruiser Dido. Fancy them and us in a three bedroomed house with no bathroom or hot water.!
One Petty Officer from Southampton enquired of a pub, and I directed him along Church Road to the Black Horse, which I thought was less than spit and sawdust. He was leaving the house for there with a barrage in full flow. 'So this is Birkenhead', he said. Well, he had partaken of a portion of mother;s ginger cake, and , taken short as a result, had to knock on someones door asking to use their toilet.
The Dido was bombed as it assisted in the evacuation of Crete, and the younger rating was killed . We went to the home of the older rating, commonly known as 'Pop', who lived in Shropshire, post war, as he had kept in touch. I was out of touch in the Far East. I wonder how much my Mother got per head ?
Submitted by John Evans
DANIEL FAGAN
My Grandfather Daniel served with the British army during the great war. I have been unable to locate his regiment, but there are strong indications that it was with the Loyal North Lancashire's. In December 1926 he died aged just 32 from the effects of gas poisoning that he suffered during his WWI service. My dad is just 6 years of age. Daniel is buried in Ford Cemetery.
Submitted by his Grandson Ged Fagan
Submitted by his Grandson Ged Fagan
JOSEPH PATRICK and NORAH ANN FAGAN
My Mum and Dad.
The picture below is of my dad taking some time out to read the paper whilst serving in Alexandria, Egypt. He'd tell me about sailing around the Cape of Good Hope at Africa's southernmost tip then up the Suez canal, spending time in Aden (South Yemen), Port Said and Alexandria (Egypt) and Tobruk (Libya). My mam's contribution to the wartime effort was as a shell maker in the munitions factory.
The picture below is of my dad taking some time out to read the paper whilst serving in Alexandria, Egypt. He'd tell me about sailing around the Cape of Good Hope at Africa's southernmost tip then up the Suez canal, spending time in Aden (South Yemen), Port Said and Alexandria (Egypt) and Tobruk (Libya). My mam's contribution to the wartime effort was as a shell maker in the munitions factory.
My Dad reading the newspaperin Egypt
when he was in Alexandria, my dad was in a circle of shipmates when he felt a tap on his shoulder and an ‘alright Joe’. It was Joey Wilson, my mam’s brother who was with the 8th Army. Small world eh?
Submitted by their sons Ged and Joseph Fagan
FAGAN BROTHERS
How it must have felt to lose a child to war I can not image, hopefully I will never find out. Yet thousands of Mothers and Fathers where to feel this terrible experience during world war one. Thomas and Bridget Fagan of 107 Gildarts Gardens knew this feeling, they experienced it three times. The loss of their sons James, Michael and Christopher must have torn their lives apart, you just cant begin to understand their sorrow. I have no right to judge events that I was no part of, but I do believe that losing three of your boys should never have been allowed to happen.
The first son to fall was Michael Fagan on 10th March 1915, aged 32. Michael was married to Catherine McCool in Liverpool 1905. He had served in South Africa before rejoining the Army at the outbreak of the war. Serjeant Michael Fagan 7872, The King's (Liverpool Regiment), 4th Bn. Michael is remembered at the Le Touret Memorial in France.
The second son to fall was Christopher Fagan on 30th May 1917, aged 24. Christopher was married to Ellen Jordan in Liverpool 1914. Gunner Christopher Fagan 108741, Royal Field Artillery, V/38th Trench Mortar Bty. He is buried at Bard Cottage Cemetery in Belgium. His commanding officer described him as " A brave and steady soldier, who was ever willing to do his duty " he left a wife and a child.
The third son to fall was James Fagan on 11th October 1918, aged 38. He enlisted on 12th August 1914 and was discharged in 1916 Re; Para 392, sickness. So James was unfit for service and sent home, his illness would claim his life two years later. James was married to Elizabeth McCool ( the sister of Michael Fagan's wife Catherine ) who he married on 9th December 1902 at Our Lady of Reconciliation church, Eldon street. Private James Fagan 10947, The King's (Liverpool Regiment), 3rd Bn. James is buried a Liverpool Ford cemetery.
The first son to fall was Michael Fagan on 10th March 1915, aged 32. Michael was married to Catherine McCool in Liverpool 1905. He had served in South Africa before rejoining the Army at the outbreak of the war. Serjeant Michael Fagan 7872, The King's (Liverpool Regiment), 4th Bn. Michael is remembered at the Le Touret Memorial in France.
The second son to fall was Christopher Fagan on 30th May 1917, aged 24. Christopher was married to Ellen Jordan in Liverpool 1914. Gunner Christopher Fagan 108741, Royal Field Artillery, V/38th Trench Mortar Bty. He is buried at Bard Cottage Cemetery in Belgium. His commanding officer described him as " A brave and steady soldier, who was ever willing to do his duty " he left a wife and a child.
The third son to fall was James Fagan on 11th October 1918, aged 38. He enlisted on 12th August 1914 and was discharged in 1916 Re; Para 392, sickness. So James was unfit for service and sent home, his illness would claim his life two years later. James was married to Elizabeth McCool ( the sister of Michael Fagan's wife Catherine ) who he married on 9th December 1902 at Our Lady of Reconciliation church, Eldon street. Private James Fagan 10947, The King's (Liverpool Regiment), 3rd Bn. James is buried a Liverpool Ford cemetery.
THOMAS FARRELL
This is a picture of my grandad, Sgt Thomas Farrell (On the right). He was born in Bootle, Liverpool in 1886 a week after his dad was killed in an accident at the docks.
Thomas was a long-standing military man who joined the Loyal North Lancs Regiment around 1904 and later went on to the Machine Gun Corps in Feb 1917 and then the Tank Corps.
He was a 2nd Lieut from 19/12/1917. He was wounded 3 times 9/1914, 6/1915 and 10/1918 and was still removing shrapnel from his back in the 1930s.
The man in the middle was his wife's uncle, Francis James Wailey, Manchester Reg, who was KIA on 10/11/1917 and is buried at Coxyde Mil Cemetery. He was also from Liverpool.
Submitted by his Grandaughter Jackie Dunn.
PETER JOHN FARRELLY
My Great Grandfather Peter John Farrelly was born in Manchester in 1867 and first lived in Heath Lane Ashton In Makerfield, at one time Peter worked as a lad driving the Ponies in the coal Mines. In September 1885 he enlisted in Dublin as Private 2236 with the 1st Depot Bn Royal Dublin Fusiliers, two months later he was transferred to the 1st Bn King's (Liverpool Regiment) with the number 1426. In July 1886 Peter deserted and when found was imprisoned until September of that year. Life with the King's does not appear to have been to his liking for in January 1886 he deserted again and enlisted straight away in Liverpool as Private 1834 with the 2nd Royal Welsh Fusiliers under the alias of Thomas Davies. By June 1886 they had found him out and he confessed to fraudulent enlistment and desertion, claiming the Queen's Pardon, their decision was to transfer him to the 22 Brigade Royal Artillery as Gunner 62457.
It is probable that Peter at an early age saw a life in the mines for himself and decided he would try the Army instead, once there the barracks life may not have had the appeal that it had promised and he would have deserted to try civilian life again. Realizing he was better off in the army he would rejoin, face the punishment or as we have seen even use an alias to enlist. The Army tended to take the view that, if they thought he would make a good soldier eventually, they would hang on to him and thereby get some benefit from the money spent on his training. So he must have been considered a good soldier.
In November 1888 Peter had deserted from the Brigade Royal Artillery, not returning until October 1890 and received two months in prison. He was transferred again in May 1891 to the No.18 Mountain Battery, Royal Artillery, and proceeded to South Africa where he served untl May 1898. While in South Africa he was transfered a number of times and served a short prison sentence. In June 1898 back in England he is transferred to the Army Reserve, then in March 1899 he is recalled recalled back to the Colours and back to South Africa until Dec 1901 (Boer War) He is then discharged from service.
Peter met his wife Sarah in Ireland where they married, Sarah was born in Dublin in 1882. She made the trip over to Liverpool in 1903 when she was pregnant with their first child ( Also named Sarah ) in fact she gave birth on the trip over and the baby was given Dublin/Irish nationality. 3 other children Peter, Annie and Mary were born in Liverpool.
Peter had enlisted in Dublin with the Dublin City Royal Garrison Artillery, as Gunner 2870, in April 1903. He was promoted to Bombardier in July 1905 before being transfered to the Lancashire Royal Garrison Artillery in June 1906 where he is promoted to Corporal a month later. In April 1907 Peter is discharged from the Army.
Peter's wife Sarah suffered from mental illness which will explain his transfer to the Lancashire regiment in order to be close to her and the children. Notice also how Peter used his experience to gain promotions so he could earn more money to help his family. On his discharge he returned to his home at Beacon Street off Blackstone street alongside the docklands of the Vauxhall area of Liverpool, where he found work as a Dock Labourer. The family later moved to close by 3 Fulton Street.
When Britain entered the war in 1914 Peter being an old soldier enlisted again, this time with the Royal Dublin Fusilier 2nd Bn as Private 13502. His regiment went straight to France, arriving 0n 22nd August 1914. Peter took part in the retreat from Mons and saw his first action on 26th August 1914 at Le Cateau where his regiment helped delay the German advance on Paris. Between 5th-9th September he fought at the battle of the Marne where the Germans gave up on reaching Paris. He then fought in the The Battle of the Aisne and the The Battle of the Armentières ( 13th October to 2nd November 1914 ). Peter's regiment were present at the famous Christmas truce of 1914 while they where positioned in trenches near Ploegsteert Wood, just 400 yards away from where the game of football with the German soldiers took place. They then moved onto Ypres Salient where they saw much action. 12th April 1915 The regiment is listed as being in Bailleul and 'In Billets, resting and clearing/cleaning up' According to the Regt History 2nd RDF were relieved from being in reserve on the 12th April and suffered no casualties in a zeppellin bombing of the town that day. On the 17th they were inspected by General Sir W Pulteney.
On 23rd April 1915 Peter was with his regiment at Bailluel when they recieved orders to march North at 7.30 pm to Westoutre where they stayed until morning before marching through Hensken, Zevecoten, Ouderom and Vlamertinghe before reaching the outskirts of Ypres that evening. At Midnight they were ordered to move again, this time to Saint Jean, taking up a position close to the Wieltje Saint Julien road. Saint Julien had seen a German gas attack on the 22nd April and the 24th, the canadians were still holding out but a gap had emerged between Bixschoote and Langemark, the 2nd Dublins along with other regiments were sent to help secure the line.
When Peter and the Dublins came out of their trenches to attack the Germans they were met by machine gun and rifle fire along with heavy shelling. Fighting through barbed wire they managed to make it to the outskirts of Saint Julien and occupy the ruins before digging in a 1/4 mile from Saint Julien. They had helped secure the line but their losses had been substantial. The following day ( 26th April ) They again attacked the Germans at Saint Julien, sadly Peter was killed in action, he was 47 years old and left his wife Sarah and 4 children back home in Liverpool. Peter has no known grave and is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial. He is also listed on the St Alban's WW1 memorial that is now located in St Anthony's church, Scotland Road, Liverpool.
Sadly due to her illness Sarah found it hard to cope and the children ( Including My Grandmother Annie ) spent a lot a time in orphanages, they never really knew their parents. Sarah passed away in November 1925 and her address given showed she had still been living at 3 Fulton Street.
Submitted by his Great Grandaughter Debra Jones.
It is probable that Peter at an early age saw a life in the mines for himself and decided he would try the Army instead, once there the barracks life may not have had the appeal that it had promised and he would have deserted to try civilian life again. Realizing he was better off in the army he would rejoin, face the punishment or as we have seen even use an alias to enlist. The Army tended to take the view that, if they thought he would make a good soldier eventually, they would hang on to him and thereby get some benefit from the money spent on his training. So he must have been considered a good soldier.
In November 1888 Peter had deserted from the Brigade Royal Artillery, not returning until October 1890 and received two months in prison. He was transferred again in May 1891 to the No.18 Mountain Battery, Royal Artillery, and proceeded to South Africa where he served untl May 1898. While in South Africa he was transfered a number of times and served a short prison sentence. In June 1898 back in England he is transferred to the Army Reserve, then in March 1899 he is recalled recalled back to the Colours and back to South Africa until Dec 1901 (Boer War) He is then discharged from service.
Peter met his wife Sarah in Ireland where they married, Sarah was born in Dublin in 1882. She made the trip over to Liverpool in 1903 when she was pregnant with their first child ( Also named Sarah ) in fact she gave birth on the trip over and the baby was given Dublin/Irish nationality. 3 other children Peter, Annie and Mary were born in Liverpool.
Peter had enlisted in Dublin with the Dublin City Royal Garrison Artillery, as Gunner 2870, in April 1903. He was promoted to Bombardier in July 1905 before being transfered to the Lancashire Royal Garrison Artillery in June 1906 where he is promoted to Corporal a month later. In April 1907 Peter is discharged from the Army.
Peter's wife Sarah suffered from mental illness which will explain his transfer to the Lancashire regiment in order to be close to her and the children. Notice also how Peter used his experience to gain promotions so he could earn more money to help his family. On his discharge he returned to his home at Beacon Street off Blackstone street alongside the docklands of the Vauxhall area of Liverpool, where he found work as a Dock Labourer. The family later moved to close by 3 Fulton Street.
When Britain entered the war in 1914 Peter being an old soldier enlisted again, this time with the Royal Dublin Fusilier 2nd Bn as Private 13502. His regiment went straight to France, arriving 0n 22nd August 1914. Peter took part in the retreat from Mons and saw his first action on 26th August 1914 at Le Cateau where his regiment helped delay the German advance on Paris. Between 5th-9th September he fought at the battle of the Marne where the Germans gave up on reaching Paris. He then fought in the The Battle of the Aisne and the The Battle of the Armentières ( 13th October to 2nd November 1914 ). Peter's regiment were present at the famous Christmas truce of 1914 while they where positioned in trenches near Ploegsteert Wood, just 400 yards away from where the game of football with the German soldiers took place. They then moved onto Ypres Salient where they saw much action. 12th April 1915 The regiment is listed as being in Bailleul and 'In Billets, resting and clearing/cleaning up' According to the Regt History 2nd RDF were relieved from being in reserve on the 12th April and suffered no casualties in a zeppellin bombing of the town that day. On the 17th they were inspected by General Sir W Pulteney.
On 23rd April 1915 Peter was with his regiment at Bailluel when they recieved orders to march North at 7.30 pm to Westoutre where they stayed until morning before marching through Hensken, Zevecoten, Ouderom and Vlamertinghe before reaching the outskirts of Ypres that evening. At Midnight they were ordered to move again, this time to Saint Jean, taking up a position close to the Wieltje Saint Julien road. Saint Julien had seen a German gas attack on the 22nd April and the 24th, the canadians were still holding out but a gap had emerged between Bixschoote and Langemark, the 2nd Dublins along with other regiments were sent to help secure the line.
When Peter and the Dublins came out of their trenches to attack the Germans they were met by machine gun and rifle fire along with heavy shelling. Fighting through barbed wire they managed to make it to the outskirts of Saint Julien and occupy the ruins before digging in a 1/4 mile from Saint Julien. They had helped secure the line but their losses had been substantial. The following day ( 26th April ) They again attacked the Germans at Saint Julien, sadly Peter was killed in action, he was 47 years old and left his wife Sarah and 4 children back home in Liverpool. Peter has no known grave and is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial. He is also listed on the St Alban's WW1 memorial that is now located in St Anthony's church, Scotland Road, Liverpool.
Sadly due to her illness Sarah found it hard to cope and the children ( Including My Grandmother Annie ) spent a lot a time in orphanages, they never really knew their parents. Sarah passed away in November 1925 and her address given showed she had still been living at 3 Fulton Street.
Submitted by his Great Grandaughter Debra Jones.
BERNARD FINNEGAN
Bernard Finnegan enlisted as a Private in the 25th Battalion King's (Liverpool) Regt on 6/1/17 and was discharged 9/11/17. At enlistment he described himself as a carter. Renlisted in Liverpool and discharged from the Army 8/2/34. Bernard is the brother of John listed below. The Finnegan brothers were the sons of John and Ann Finnegan.
Bernard was my Mothers father. I can remember my Mam saying she had come home from somewhere and just as she got to the front door there was an explosion somewhere in the distance. The force of it blew her down the "area" ( railings in front of the houses) and she would'nt go out for a while after that.
Submitted by his Grandaughter Jacky Dobbins
Bernard was my Mothers father. I can remember my Mam saying she had come home from somewhere and just as she got to the front door there was an explosion somewhere in the distance. The force of it blew her down the "area" ( railings in front of the houses) and she would'nt go out for a while after that.
Submitted by his Grandaughter Jacky Dobbins
JOHN FINNEGAN
My Great Uncle John Finnegan served with the South Lancashire Regt during the Great War from 22/4/14 and also with the Royal Engineers (RE). At enlistment he described himself as a casual labourer. Discharged from the Army 8/2/25. Re-enlisted 15/6/25 in 6 King's Liverpool Regt.
Submitted by his Great Niece Jacky Dobbins
Submitted by his Great Niece Jacky Dobbins
BERNARD FLAHERTY
My Great Grandmothers brother Bernard served in the Army with the Lancashire Fusiliers possibly in the Boer war, and during WW1 with the Liverpool Kings as private 26632. He suffered terrible gout and would sit in a wheelchair outside his house in Christian street, Liverpool taking bets from the local punters.
Submitted by Anthony Hogan
Submitted by Anthony Hogan
ELIZABETH FLEMMING
The photograph shows my Grandmother Elizabeth Flemming with my Mother and Sister. My mum told me the story about how my grandmother was in a bomb shelter when the doors got bombed open. She ended up losing a leg. Then later on a car knocked her down and the driver thought he'd cut her leg off as it went flying. I think both stories may of been in the paper at the time.
Submitted by her Grandson John Singleton
Submitted by her Grandson John Singleton
JAMES FLEMMING
My Great uncle James served as a Stoker with the Royal Navy, service number 14633. He was captured and sent to a prisoner of war camp at Westertimke in Germany. The Camp was very insanitary and in the Sping of 1941 there was an outbreak of Typhus followed by another more serious epedemic the following January.
There were six sucessful Escapers who made it back to the UK.
Submitted by his Great Nephew John Singleton
There were six sucessful Escapers who made it back to the UK.
Submitted by his Great Nephew John Singleton
JOHN FLEMING
My Grandfather served in the Merchant Navy during WW1. I have his book of travels on the sea. The places he went where amazing. Below is his medal card.
Submitted by his Grandson John Singleton
Submitted by his Grandson John Singleton
THOMAS FLYNN
My Great Uncle Tommy Flynn was born in Liverpool and lived at 68 Windsor Road, Tuebrook in Liverpool. He was a keen Boxer and won a title belt in 1941. Tommy was married to Anna Louise.
He signed up with The Liverpool King's Regiment in WW2 and sadly died on 19 March 1943 in Kenya, he is buried at Gilgil war cemetery in Kenya.
On the CWGC entry for Tommy it list his regiment as The King's Regiment (Liverpool) 19th Battalion, this however can not be true as there was no 19th King's Liverpool Regiment serving in WW2? We thought that maybe Tommy was sick or wounded and was dropped off by ship in Kenya to go to hospital in Mombasa or some town along the coast, but the cemetery is a long way from here.
Thanks to a number of experts on the WW2 talk forum we now have an answer to his regiment listing and an idea of what he was doing in Kenya. The 19th King’s African Rifles were a Kenyan battalion who served in Madagascar until March 1944, Gilgil may well have been their barracks/depot. The African troops very often had British (white) Sergeants, with the NCOs underneath being made up of black soldiers. Tommy was a Sergeant.
It appears he was sent to the 19th King’s African Rifles from the King's Liverpools, but although attached to the African Regiment he was still a Kings Liverpool soldier. Now this explains the 19th Battalion and that the listing on the CWGC website is a transcription error somewhere along the line with a confusion with 19th King's.
Information for the 19th King’s African Rifles is very hard to find, so we are unsure about what Tommy was doing while he was with them or the events that led to his death, however we remain committed to keep the search for information going.
He signed up with The Liverpool King's Regiment in WW2 and sadly died on 19 March 1943 in Kenya, he is buried at Gilgil war cemetery in Kenya.
On the CWGC entry for Tommy it list his regiment as The King's Regiment (Liverpool) 19th Battalion, this however can not be true as there was no 19th King's Liverpool Regiment serving in WW2? We thought that maybe Tommy was sick or wounded and was dropped off by ship in Kenya to go to hospital in Mombasa or some town along the coast, but the cemetery is a long way from here.
Thanks to a number of experts on the WW2 talk forum we now have an answer to his regiment listing and an idea of what he was doing in Kenya. The 19th King’s African Rifles were a Kenyan battalion who served in Madagascar until March 1944, Gilgil may well have been their barracks/depot. The African troops very often had British (white) Sergeants, with the NCOs underneath being made up of black soldiers. Tommy was a Sergeant.
It appears he was sent to the 19th King’s African Rifles from the King's Liverpools, but although attached to the African Regiment he was still a Kings Liverpool soldier. Now this explains the 19th Battalion and that the listing on the CWGC website is a transcription error somewhere along the line with a confusion with 19th King's.
Information for the 19th King’s African Rifles is very hard to find, so we are unsure about what Tommy was doing while he was with them or the events that led to his death, however we remain committed to keep the search for information going.
Grave of Thomas at Gilgil war cemetery in Kenya.
A few of the Boxing trophies that Thomas won during his career.
Submitted by his Great Nephew Stephen Poulson
Submitted by his Great Nephew Stephen Poulson
CLEMENT AND RITA FOX
Clement and Rita ( nee Garvey ) both drove buses in Liverpool during WW2, and this is probably how they met each other. The photo shows them at the registry office on their wedding day. They both gave ' Omnibus Driver ' as their occupations.
Clement came from Litherland and Rita from Bootle.
Submitted by Rita's Niece Caryl Williams.
Clement came from Litherland and Rita from Bootle.
Submitted by Rita's Niece Caryl Williams.
FRANK FREAR
My Uncle Private Frank Frear 24245 served with the 19th Battalion of the King's Liverpool regiment. He was killed in action on 30th July 1916 and is remembered on the Thiepval memorial in France. Frank was born in Lowick, Cumberland. He elisted in Liverpool where he was living at that time.
Submitted by his Nephew David Philips
Submitted by his Nephew David Philips
Inscription for Frank Frear on the Thiepval Memorial