Pte 15404 John Edward King

• Age: 23
• From: Chester
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Tuesday 27th June 1916
• Commemorated at: Cerisy-gailly Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.K.21

John Edward King was born in the September quarter of 1892, the eldest of six children born to Edward, a railway engine driver from London, and Jane (Jennie) (nee Cotgreave). His parents were married in Chester in 1892. John Edward was baptised on the 05th April 1894 at Christ Church, Chester. 

At the time of the 1901 Census the family were living at 10 Phillip Street, Hoole.
John is 8 years of age and lives with his parents and two siblings. His father Edward is a 32 year old railway engine fireman, born in Hackney, London in 1869, whilst his mother, Jennie, is 30 years old, born in Chester in 1871. He has two siblings Florence aged 6 and Edwin aged 2. Also present is Lucy Taylor shown as sister-in-law.  

In 1911 John is shown as an 18 year old railway clerk, born in Chester. The family are still living at the same address. Both parents are present alongside their children;  Florence aged 16, Edwin aged 12, Alice Elizabeth aged 9, George aged 5 and Constance Mary aged 1. His parents advise that they have been married for 18 years and have had seven children of whom six have survived.

John enlisted in Liverpool, joining the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 15404.

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. 

John was killed in action on 27th June 1916, aged 23, a casualty of the German artillery bombardment of late June 1916.

The British bombardment of the German lines, in preparation for the ‘Big Push’, began on 24th June 1916. On the 26th the German counter-barrage begins and inflicted quite serious losses on the 17th and 20th battalions.

The 17th Bn War Diary for 26th/27th June shows “heavy enemy bombardment of front line trenches.  Casualties: Killed O.R. 17, Wounded O.R. 57”

John was one of those referred to in the diary who was killed in action on 27^th June 1916, aged 23.

He was buried close to where he fell in Maricourt Military Cemetery and his grave marked with a cross.  The cemetery was at the south-east corner of the village, on the road to Clery. It was begun by French troops in December, 1914, and was known to the French by the name of Ferme Caudron.  It was taken over by British troops in August, 1915, and used until July 1916.  After the war when graves were concentrated his body was removed and reinterred in Cerisy-Gailly Cemetery where he now rests at Grave II K 21.

His headstone  bears the epitaph: 

"HIS COUNTRY CALLED HE ANSWERED"

Soldiers Effects went to his father Edward and mother Jane, and pension to Jane. 

The CWGC records show that he was the son of J. King and the late Edward King. His father, Edward, died in early 1917.

A report in the Chester Chronicle dated 15th July 1916:

“Pte. J.E. King of the King’s Liverpool Regiment (Liverpool Pals) was killed on 27th June. He was the son of Mr. E. King of Philip Street, Hoole, an engine driver on the L. and N.W. Railway, and was employed in the District Traffic Supplies Office of the L. and N.W. Railway at Chester, and subsequently at Conway. He would have been 24 at August next. He joined the forces in August 1914 and went to the front in October 1915. He was a bomb thrower in his company and was exceedingly well liked by his comrades. Great sympathy is felt for his bereaved relatives.”

“Official intimation has been received that Pte J E King of the Kings Liverpool Regiment (Liverpool Pals) was killed on June 27th. Son of Mr E King of Phillip Street Hoole an engine driver on the L and N W Railway Pte King was employed in the District Traffic Superintendent’s office of the L and NW Railway at Chester and subsequently at Conway. He would have been 24 years of age in August next. After leaving school he was first employed at the offices of the “Cheshire Observer” and “Chester Courant”. He always was well thought of by all with whom he came in contact and his patriotism knew no bounds. Joining the Forces in August 1914 he was most anxious to get to grips with the enemy and chafed at the long training his regiment was called upon to undergo. The dead soldier was a bomb thrower in his company and was exceedingly well liked by his comrades. Great sympathy will be extended to his bereaved relatives.”

His name appeared in the Railwaymen died in the Great War publication:

Age 23, son of J. King, of 10, Phillip St., Hoole, Chester, and the late Edward King. Killed in action. Entered LNWR service in March 1908 and was attached to the District Traffic Superintendent's Office at Chester until October 1913, when he was transferred to Conway. Joined the Colours in August 1914 but did not reach the Front until October 1915. King was a bomb thrower in his company.

Chester Observer 27th June 1931 

ROLL OF HONOUR. 

KING - In loving memory of dear Jack, Liverpool Pals, killed in action, 27th June 1916. - Loved and always remembered. - Mother.  

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