Pte 17855 James Murray Ireland

 

Euphemia married George Wilson in 1888. They had eight children; Thomas born in 1888, George born 1891 but sadly died in the same year, William born 1892, Maggie Mary born 1894, Robert born 1896 but sadly died in 1899, George born 1898, Janet born 1901 and John born 1903.  

The 1891 Census shows James aged 5 as James Wilson living with his mother, step father and younger stepbrother Thomas aged 2.

He was living in Seaforth, Liverpool when he enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 04th September 1914 joining the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 17855.  His records show that he declared his age as 27 years and 184 days, his occupation as a clerk and was described as being 5' 3" and a half inches, weight 126 lbs, with brown hair. He stated his religion as  Church of England. 

Formed on 07^th September 1914 the 19^th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th 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.

He was wounded during the Liverpool pals ill-fated attack at Guillemont on 30th July 1916 recieving a gunshot wound to his hand. He was treated in hospital in Boulogne from 31st July 1916 and was discharged from hospital to the Infantry Base Depot at Etaples on 22nd August 1916. He rejoined the 19th Battalion on 14th September 1916. 

James was wounded on 20th March 1917 and sadly succumbed to his wounds on 22nd March 1917, aged 31.

He now rests at Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery in France.

The site of the cemetery was chosen in May 1916. It was used from June 1916 to May 1917 by the 20th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations, in February 1917 by the 1/1st South Midland, and from April to June 1917 by the 32nd. The whole of plots VII, VIII, IX and X were filled in April and May 1917, the months of the Battles of Arras. From June 1917, the cemetery was practically unused until the fighting of May and June 1918, when field ambulances buried in it. After the Armistice the cemetery was increased by graves brought in from other smaller cemeteries.

The cemetery now contains 1,266 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There are also 29 German and two French war graves.

The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden.

James' death was reported in the local press under a photograph as:

DIED OF WOUNDS

PTE. JAMES MURRY IRELAND 

Of the King's Liverpool Regiment, who died on March 22nd of wounds received in action, was born in Scotland, and was 30 years of age. Before the war he was employed by a local firm as commercial traveller. Deep sympathy is felt with his young widow, to whom he was married twelve months ago at Peel Road, Presbyterian Church and who resides at Barkley - drive, Seaforth.