Pte 16529 Rupert King

• Age: 34
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• D.O.W Thursday 16th August 1917
• Commemorated at: St Sever Cem Ext Rouen
  Panel Ref: P.II.D.6B

Rupert King was born 17^th January 1883 in Liverpool and was the son of Joseph and Jane King (nee Emmett).

Rupert was educated at St John the Baptist School, Tuebrook and St Margaret's Church of England School, Aigburth, Liverpool.

On the 1891 Census the family are living at 455 West Derby Rd.

The father Joseph aged 43, is employed as a Draper and was born in Hawksland Yorkshire, his mother Jane aged 46, was born in Burnley and has no occupation listed. They have seven children, Charlotte 16, George 15, William 13, Maude 11, Lillian 7, Rupert aged 8 and Joseph aged 5. They also have a visitor Elizabeth Emmett

The 1901 Census finds Rupert living at 129 Scotland Road, Liverpool  living with 10 other men all shown as employees of Limited Company, which appears to be a Drapers shop as 9 of the men are shown as Assistant Drapers and one is shown as the Shop superintendent. Also present are a Housekeeper and two servants.        

The 1911 Census shows Rupert living as a boarder at 1A Gloucester Road, Anfield, Liverpool. The property is owned by William and Mary Ellen Eaton. William is aged 65, born 1846 and is a plumber and house painter, his wife is aged 64, born 1847 and they have five children, Sarah Ellen aged 41, born 1870, Florence aged 35, born 1875, Alice aged 32, born 1879, who are all dressmakers, James aged 30, born 1881 is a house painter and Theodesia aged 29, born 1882 is a telegraph clerk. Rupert at this time is aged 28 and occupation draper’s assistant.

He enlisted on 02nd September 1914 at St George's Hall in Liverpool, joining the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 16529. He gave his age as 31 years and 227 days and his occupation as salesman. He was five feet seven and three quarter inches tall, weighed 125lbs, of fresh complexion, brown eyes, brown hair and gave his religion as Church of England.

02.09.14 - 06-.11.15: At home training

He married Florence Ashort on 22^nd November 1914. Florence was born 27^th September 1880 in Birkenhead. 

07.11.15: embarked for France with his battalion.

15.11.16-27.11.16: On leave to UK

27.11.16: Resumed duty from leave.

02.09.16: Awarded one good conduct badge on completion of two years service.

Granted proficiency pay to Class 1.

09.04.17: Mentioned in Divisional and Brigade orders for gallant and distinguished conduct.

02.08.17: Shotgun wound to right buttock sent to 10 Casualty Clearing Station.

04.08.17: Discharged from 9 G.H.

He was serving in the 18th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 16529 when he died of wounds on the 16th August, 1917 aged 34 during the Third Battle of Ypres.  

18th Battalion Diary written by Major Clayton for 12-20th Aug 1917 at Mont Vidaigne records "Pte R. King 16529 died of wounds on 16th August 1917"

He now rests at St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France.

During the First World War, Commonwealth camps and hospitals were stationed on the southern outskirts of Rouen. A base supply depot and the 3rd Echelon of General Headquarters were also established in the city.

Almost all of the hospitals at Rouen remained there for practically the whole of the war. They included eight general, five stationary, one British Red Cross and one labour hospital, and No. 2 Convalescent Depot. A number of the dead from these hospitals were buried in other cemeteries, but the great majority were taken to the city cemetery of St. Sever. In September 1916, it was found necessary to begin an extension, where the last burial took place in April 1920.

The Cemetery and the Extension adjoin each other but have separate Registers.

During the Second World War, Rouen was again a hospital centre and the extension was used once more for the burial of Commonwealth servicemen, many of whom died as prisoners of war during the German occupation.

The cemetery extension contains 8,348 Commonwealth burials of the First World War (ten of them unidentified) and in Block "S" there are 328 from the Second World War (18 of them unidentified). There are also 8 Foreign National burials here. The adjoining St. Sever Cemetery contains 3,082 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There is also 1 French burial and 1 non war service burial here.

The extension was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

His loved ones placed notices in the Liverpool Echo on 20th August 1917: 

“August 16, died of wounds in General Hospital, Private R. King, K.L.R., beloved husband of Florence King (née Ashort) of 30 Spellow Lane. 

I have lost, heaven has gained,

One of the best the world contained.

Sadly missed by his sorrowing Wife and all at 30 Spellow Lane;  Also his Brother-in-law Sergeant Ashort (in France).” 

“August 16, died of wounds in General Hospital, Private Rupert King, K.L.R., third son of the late Joseph King, draper, Tuebrook, and dearly-loved brother of J. E. King, 34 Bankburn Road, Tuebrook.” 

“August 16, at General Hospital, Private R. King, K.L.R. - Sadly missed by his sisters Lottie, Maude, and Lil.”

“August 16, died of wounds, Private Rupert King, K.L.R., dearly-beloved brother-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. Lathom, of 30 Bousfield Street. - Deeply regretted by Harry, Annie, and Children, and Nephew Charlie (in France). None knew him but to love him; none mention his name but with praise.”

His wife received his personal effects which consisted of 1 pipe, 2 wallets, 1 Testament, photos, 1 pencil, 1 Ypres brooch, 1 badge, 1 disc, 1 German shoulder strap, 2 discs, 1 service stripe, 4 buttons, 4 coins value, 1 penny and 10 centimes and 1 bag.

Soldiers Effects and Pension to his widow Florence.

Rupert is also commemorated on the followng Memorials;

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 68 

St John the Baptist’s C. of E. Church, Tuebrook, Liverpool.

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