Pte 51681 Albert Egbert Jefferies

• Age: 20
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• D.O.W Friday 24th November 1916
• Commemorated at: Warlincourt Halte Brit Cem
  Panel Ref: III.G.10

Albert Egbert Jefferies was born in 1896 in Liverpool and was the only son of Albert Egbert Jefferies and his wife Anne Patton (nee Wilson) who married, according to a family tree, on the 19th August 1890 Myrtle Street Baptist Chapel, Liverpool. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 130, Kensington, Liverpool. Albert's father, Albert Egbert, is aged 37, born in Liverpool, and is a clerk collector for a friendly society and his mother Annie Patton who is aged 35, also born in Liverpool, is listed as dealing with glass and china. At the time of the Census they have two children; Edna aged 7 and Albert Egbert aged 4. They also have Lucy Wilson a widow aged 78, born 1823 in Somerset living with them, she is presumably Anne's mother. 

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 15 Dalmorton Road, New Brighton. His father, Albert Egbert, is aged 47, occupation Insurance Clerk, his mother Annie Patton is aged 45. They declared that they have had three children, of which one had sadly died, all were born in Liverpool. The surviving children listed on the Census are; Edna aged 17 born 1894 no occupation listed and Albert Egbert is aged 14, born 1897 is at school.

Albert was educated at Liscard High School and prior to enlistment he was employed as a Clerk within the National Health section of the Royal Liverpool Friendly Society.

He enlisted as Rifleman 3939 joining the 6th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment (Liverpool Rifles). He embarked aboard the S.S. Princess Victoria from Folkestone-Boulogne on 15th July 1916 reaching the 24th Infantry Base Depot on 16th July, he then proceeded to 11th Entrenching Battalion on 02nd August 1916, and further proceeded to the 17th Battalion K.L.R. on 05th August 1916. He was then Attached to No.4 Coy 19th Battalion K.L.R. on 10th August, and posted from 05th September 1916 the 19th Battalion as Private 51681.

Albert died of wounds on 24th November 1916, aged 20, after being hit by a shell in the right arm and leg on the 21st November 1916.

The battalion war diary records:

‘Berles. In billets. Working parties found for R.E’s. 52252 Private Hickson F.O. and 21798 Wainwright H. were killed in action, 41813 Private Minton A, 21618 Private Riley C. 51681 Private Jefferies A.E, 21472 Corporal Carter, E., were wounded in action. All were of ‘D’ Company and were on one of the working parties in the frontline.’

He now rests at Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery at III.G.10 where his headstone bears the epitaph:

"I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVETH".

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.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 02nd December 1916:

DIED OF WOUNDS

Private Albert Egbert Jefferies (20), of the K.L.R., only son of Mr and Mrs A. E Jefferies of 19 Dalmorton Road, New Brighton. He joined the Army 14 months ago, and had been in France about 2 months. He finished his education at the Liscard High School, and was employed as a clerk in the National Health section of the Royal Liverpool Family Society.

Soldiers Effects to father Albert Egbert and pension to his mother Annie Patton.

Albert is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

Wallasey Civic Memorial located in the Hospital on Mill Lane,

Wallasey Roll of Honour

New Brighton Baptist Church

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