Roll of Honour - Culture Liverpool

: Acting Bombardier THOMAS WILLIAM GEDLING 695603 Royal Field Artillery He died 07-Jul-17 aged 27 years He was wounded on the 6th July 1917 and died in hospital at Armentieres, France the following day. BEDFORD-ROAD “OLD BOY” DIES OF WOUNDS. The sad news has this week been received in Bootle that Bombardier T. W. Gedling, R.F.A., an “old boy” of Bedford-road School, died in hospital shortly after being wounded on July 6th. He joined he colours in 1915, and was drafted to France in February last. Prior to entering the Army resided with his parents at 108 Hawthorne-road, Bootle, and was in the employ of the Royal Insurance Company, whose flag was flying half-mast on Monday on their premises in North John-street to honour his memory. Bootle Times 20th July 1917

: William Henry Kirkham was my paternal grandfather . He was a Petty officer and Leading stoker, and was returning home on the afternoon of 31st May 1916 after Battle of Jutland when his ship, HMS Lion, was hit by a shell from a German flotilla they were chasing. They were hit in a huge gun Turret containing 100 men and officers. The Captain had to flood this area to prevent ammunition blowing up and sinking the ship. It was Admiral Sir David Beatty’s flagship. He was commander of the fleet. My grandfather left a widow and six children, including my father, also William Henry and the eldest son. After this happened, Lady Beatty arrived in a carriage at my grandmother’s home, Hurry St in Dingle. The carriage could not get up the street, so Lady Beatty got out and walked and knocked on the door. She said that the Admiral wanted to pay for my father (as the eldest son) to go to America and be able to support his family. Apparently my father went, but didn’t like it and came back!! The attached photos show the piece of shrapnel mounted with a description – made by my grandfather’s shipmates and presented to my grandmother. With a picture of my grandfather.

: 1853 Cpl. George Eric Wright was my 1st cousin 2x removed. He did not have children and neither did his only sister, so there are no direct descendants to remember him. He was born in 1890 in Garston, Liverpool but emigrated to New South Wales in 1912. He enlisted with the Australian Imperial Forces (D Company, 3rd Bn., Australian Infantry) on 8th January 1915 and was killed in action at the battle of Pozieres, France on 24 July 1916, aged just 26. His name is listed on the Roll of Honour at St Michael’s Church, Garston, and is remembered at the Villiers-Bretonneux Memorial in France. My father, Anthony Eric Joy, was named after him.

: Must be remembered together after war tore them apart… George Powell (Thipeval Memorial) was 21 years old when he died at the Somme in August 1916. His brother Arthur died the same age two years later (March 1918) near Arras (Feuchy Chapel cemetery). Underlining the tragedy is Arthur’s last letter home, written 4 days before dying. Amongst sour pork pies and his hope for war’s end, he laments the lack of news about “poor George’s” condition. After two years, the man remembered on the Thiepval Memorial was not known to his loved ones to be dead or alive. An event such as this captures the personal stories. Well done to all concerned and, on behalf of my family, thank you.

: Walter Banks: Walter Banks was one of my Great Uncles. Although he lost his life when the Lusitania sank I heard my mother speak about her Uncle many times. He was, I am told, a Third Engineer on the Lusitania, his brother Frank Banks going on to become Chief Engineer on the Britannic. The story is told of how before leaving on what was to be the ship’s final voyages Walter called on every member of his family to say farewell believing he would not return. I cannot recall the reason for his reported pessimism, and thought it was because the ship was to be sailing with WRENS on board but as the WREN service did not come into being until 1917 this is unlikely to be so. I do remember my mother saying his mother, her Aunt, was heartbroken at the loss which led to her demise a short time later. The tragedy of war does not begin and end on the front line. I have looked for a record of my Great Uncle amongst the recorded casualties of the Lusitania sinking but cannot find his name. But I understand that many who lost their lives that day are not recorded.

: Hugh Campbell White: Hugh died during WW1, This was said about him in a letter to his parents. “He had always a smile, and was one of the bravest boys that I have ever known. I hope you will find comfort in your sorrow knowing that your boy died like a man serving his King and country”.

: William Henry Kirkham: William was my great grandfather killed in action on HMS Lion 31/5/1916

: Edward Bentley (Grandfather): My Grandfather was killed on 9th August 1916, whilst serving with the Liverpool Scottish Regiment. 10th (Scottish) Battalion, the King’s Liverpool Regiment, at Guillemont, in the Battle of the Somme, aged 31. He had re-enlisted in the Army the previous year having already served from 1904 to 1909. He has no known grave. My Grandmother was awarded a pension of 18/6d per week on which to bring up my father, then aged 7 and my aunt aged 5. My father used to recall how proud he was when his Dad signed up and paraded on the Review Field in Sefton Park before marching in to the City Centre. He never saw him again.

: The animals of war: This wreath is dedicated to all the animals that served and died alongside British and Allied forces in wars and campaigns throughout time. ‘They had no choice’

: Ralph Hewitt: Ralph died at the Somme on February 28th 1917 aged 27 years.

: William Stevenson: This is my Grandfather who died at Ypres on 21st October 1917, three weeks after his daughter, my Mother, was born. I often wonder how different my Mother’s life would have been if he had survived WW1. His wife died shortly after WW1 and his two small sons died in childhood.

: Harold Howells: My great uncle Harold,a gunner with the RoyalField Artillery, killed in action on the somme 26th July 1916 aged 23. Remembered on the Thiepval memorial in France.

: Tommy turner: On 28th March 1918 My great granddad, Tommy Turner was injured in the the first battle of Arras and while being carried back to the medical station was killed by a snipers bullet. He was 34 years old and left a wife and 4 children.

: Arthur Monks: This is my Great Uncle who fought and died in the Battle of Aubers Ridge as is Remembered on the War Memorial at Richebourg L’Aboue in North East France. He served with the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (along with his Brother, my Grandad Robnert Monks) and was only aged 21 when he died in Battle on 9th May 1915. My Partner and I were at the Cemetery on the 100th Anniversary of his passing this year and it was a very emotional trip.

: This is my Great Granddad – John Brough. He was born c.1890. He was married to my Granddad’s Mother Sarah Brown on 1st February 1911 in the Parish Church of St Ambrose, Everton. My granddad was born in September 1912. The oldest of John and Sarah’s 3 children. (Continued with next image)

: John was a regular soldier in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was shot while serving his country, and was being brought home on a hospital ship, where he passed away peacefully on 6/12/1917. With the bullet which fatally wounded him in his hand. Please find attached his photograph and a photograph of a letter which was sent by the nurse tending him to his wife. The original letter was left with my Dad (Arthur Brough – John Brough’s Grandson). My Dad passed away in August 2013 (the 4th August ironically) and the letter was buried with my Dad in his jacket pocket. I took this photograph of the letter before it was laid to rest with my Dad. Mrs Karen Loughran

Your memories

If you do not have a photograph but would still like to remember someone we will post your messages here as part of our Roll of Honour.

24811 Pte William Hodson, 17th Battn Kings Liverpool Regt: My Father’s eldest brother, who volunteered with hundreds of others at the outbreak of WW1, and was Killed in Action on the Somme 1-3 July 191 aged 26 years whilst serving as a Bomber (a thrower of Hand Grenades).

Walter Gabriel Sinclair: Killed at battle of cambrai France in 1919 age 19 or 20 ,born in Liverpool.

Private John Bell Buckingham: My Uncle John was killed on 12 August 1916 . His death is recorded in the war cemetery at Thiepval in the Somme, France. He was a member of The King’s Liverpool Regiment.

James Ernest Beresford: Sadly I didn’t know my great grandad . But I know he died on HMS Penelope working as a stoker on the 8th February 1944 at the age of 33.

Lesley Charles Burgess: I always remember grandad not saying much about the war. He never received his medals although he had been called up to collect them. He said that no man should be given a medal for murder. The war brought us a new family member who’d been a POW that had been saved, and lots of old stories about wartime England from Nan.

Once, granddad told me that he’d been sleeping under a tank in Austria, and his then best friend lay next to him, unable to sleep because of the rough flooring, his best mate said “Hey, Les, you can sleep anywhere, change sides with me”, so they did. He woke the following morning and his friend had taken a bullet to the head…
Life is fleeting.
There are other stories of course, of how Uncle Ted escaped the camps and how granddad drove the ducks. But that one sticks in my mind.
We will remember them x

Ian Williams, HMS Coventry: Remembering a much loved brother…killed during Falklands war 1982 on HMS Coventry.
Loved and missed always.
Remembering also all those killed in conflicts xxx

Private John George Lightfoot 1174 1st/7th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment: A brave, local boy, son of Annie and the late JG Lightfoot, 36 Brighton Road, Crosby. Killed in action 16th May 1915 aged 25 and commemorated at Le Touret Memorial. Remembered with pride.

Albert White VC: This is my great uncle who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery in 1917 in France.

Tommy Turner: On 28th March 1918 my great granddad, Tommy Turner was injured in the the first battle of Arras and while being carried back to the medical station was killed by a snipers bullet. He was 34 years old and left a wife and 4 children.

Richard I. Blundell: My Grandad who died in 1917 so I never got to meet him.

Mr James Cunningham: James joined up with the British expeditionary forces (87th battalion Canadian lnfantry, Quebec regiment) on the 6th December 1917, and was killed in action on the 19th August 1918, Aged 20. Just like so many others James Cunningham sacrificed his “Tomorrow’s”, and “WE WILL REMEMBER”. James is buried in The Hillside Cemetery, Le Quesnel cemetery, Somme.France. (God bless, and Rest in Peace James)