Pte 16042 Albert Jones Holliday

• Age: 20
• From: Southampton
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• D.O.W Saturday 5th August 1916
• Commemorated at: Anfield Cem Liverpool
  Panel Ref: VI.U.768

Albert Jones Holliday was born in 1896 in Southampton, Hampshire and was the son of Adam Thomas Holliday and his wife Margaret Ann (née Jones) who were married on Boxing Day, 26th December 1887 at Emmanuel Chapel, Everton. Adam was a 21 year old hairdresser of 91 Hughes Street, his father, Adam, was a tailor, whilst Margaret was aged 22, of the same address, her father, John, was a warehouseman. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at Rose Cottage, 3, Avenue Road, Portswood, South Stoneham, Hampshire. His father Adam Thomas is not shown on the Census, presumably at sea. His wife, Margaret Ann, is aged 35 with no occupation listed. She is living with her five children; Ernest aged 12, John aged 10, Douglas aged 7, Albert aged 5 and Stanley aged 1. They also have a servant Eliza Cathcart aged 17, born 1884 in Stebbing, Essex living at the address.

The 1911 Census shows the family have moved and are living at 44 Sunbury Road, Anfield, Liverpool. His father, Adam Thomas, is aged 44, born 1867 in Liverpool, his occupation is shown as a ship’s hairdresser. His wife, Margaret Ann, is aged 45, born in Liverpool in 1866 has no occupation listed. They have been married for 23 years and have had 9 children of which two died. The surviving children still at home are shown as; John Gibson, aged 20, born 1891 is a clerk, Adam Douglas aged 17, born 1894 is an apprentice clerk and both were born in Liverpool. Albert aged 15, born 1896 is a clerk, William Stanley aged 11, born 1900 is at school, Joseph aged 8, born 1903 and Margaret aged 5, born 1906 were all born in Southampton.

Prior to the outbreak of war, Albert was employed with the Royal Liver Friendly Society.

Albert enlisted on the 04th September, 1914 in Liverpool as Private 16042 in the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment. He gave his age as 19 years and 7 days (he was in fact just 18) and his occupation was as a clerk. He was described as being five feet seven and half inches tall, weighed 112lbs, 34” chest, he had a fresh complexion with grey eyes and brown hair. He stated his religion as Presbyterian and his next of kin his father Adam, of 44 Sunbury Road.  

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

As can be seen from his service record, Albert had been badly wounded during the attack on Guillemont village during the Somme offensive, and sadly died of wounds on the 05th August 1916 on board the New Zealand, hospital ship, Marama bound for home. He was 20 years of age.

The Battalion diary of 30th July 1916 gives an idea of the circumstances in which Albert was so badly wounded. 

The Battalion was in support to 19 & 20 Battalions K.L.R. 2 Coys. behind 19th & 2 Coys. behind 20th. Very thick mist. The attack was pushed home to the objective in places but in the main was held up by machine gun fire from hidden machine guns.

Fighting continued all day swaying backwards and forwards until by 6pm about 300 yards in depth had been gained & consolidated all along our front.

Casualties in the 17th Battalion were 15 Officers and 281 Other Ranks

Further details are reported in more detailed by Everard Wyrall in his book The History of the King’s Regiment (Liverpool) 1914-1919 Volume II 1916-1917

The 17th King’s had advanced (two companies each behind the 19th and 20th Battalions) in small columns. They too suffered heavily from machine-gun fire and were quickly absorbed into the waves that preceded them. They also shared the gains and losses of that terrible day.

When darkness fell on the battlefield the 30th Division held a line from the railway on the eastern side of Trones Wood , southwards and including Arrow Head Copse, to east of Maltz Horn Farm. On this line the division was relieved by the 55th Division during the early hours of the 31st July. 

The events of 30th July 1916 were regarded at the time as Liverpool’s blackest day. There follows an extract from The History of the 89th Brigade written by Brigadier General Ferdinand Stanley which gives an indication of the events of the day.

Guillemont

Well the hour to advance came, and of all bad luck in the world it was a thick fog; so thick that you couldn’t see more than about ten yards. It was next to impossible to delay the attack – it was much too big an operation- so forward they had to go. It will give some idea when I say that on one flank we had to go 1,750 yards over big rolling country. Everyone knows what it is like to cross enclosed country which you know really well in a fog and how easy it is to lose your way. Therefore, imagine these rolling hills, with no landmarks and absolutely unknown to anyone. Is it surprising that people lost their way and lost touch with those next to them? As a matter of fact, it was wonderful the way in which many men found their way right to the place we wanted to get to. But as a connected attack it was impossible.

The fog was intense it was practically impossible to keep direction and parties got split up. Owing to the heavy shelling all the Bosches had left their main trenches and were lying out in the open with snipers and machine guns in shell holes, so of course our fellows were the most easy prey.

It is so awfully sad now going about and finding so many splendid fellows gone.   

His effects included 1 tobacco pouch, 1 belt, 2 note books, 1 wallet, 1 writing pad, 1 watch (broken), 1 comb, 1 stick mirror, 1 letter of correspondence, photos and 1 birthday card.

He now rests at Anfield Cemetery and is commemorated on the family headstone. The burial record for the 09th August is recorded incorrectly as Albert John.

The Inscription on the headstone reads:

PTE ALBERT JONES (BERT,) 1^ST CITY BATTN (“PALS”) FOURTH SON OF THE ABOVE WOUNDED IN ACTION JULY 30, 1916, FELL ASLEEP AUGUST 5TH, 1916 ON BOARD HOSPITAL SHIP “MARAMA” LAID TO REST HERE AUGUST 9TH, 1916 AGED 20 YEARS.

”WE SHALL MEET ON THAT BEAUTIFUL SHORE”

In December 1914, Liverpool became one of the 21 Auxiliary Patrol Bases and in February 1915, the base of the 10th Cruiser Squadron. During the Second World War, Liverpool was headquarters of Western Approaches Command and a manning depot for officers and men of the Merchant Navy who agreed to serve with the Royal Navy for the duration of the war.

Liverpool (Anfield) Cemetery contains burials of both wars. The majority are in two war graves plots in Section 5, with Screen Walls bearing the names of those buried there. The rest of the war burials are scattered throughout the cemetery.

There are 453 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated in the cemetery. Included in this total are 17 casualties who are commemorated by name on the Screen Wall as their graves in Bootle (St Mary) Churchyard and Liverpool (St James) Cemetery could no longer be maintained. Second World War burials number 459 including 2 unidentified British soldiers. There is also another Screen Wall memorial to those whose burials are not marked by headstones. There are also 67 war graves of other nationalities, the majority of them Dutch and Norwegian Merchant seamen, and there are 9 non war service burials here.

Albert is commemorated on the following memorials;

SS Simon & Jude’s C. of E. Church, Anfield, Liverpool as is his father Adam. 

Royal Liver Friendly Society Head Office staff housed within the Liver Buildings

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 55 Left

His mother Margaret, died, on 18th July 1954, aged 88.

We currently have no further information on Albert Jones Holliday. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.