Pte 12090 Alexander Kirkpatrick

• Age: 26
• From: Bootle, Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Thursday 28th March 1918
• Commemorated at: Pargny Brit Cem
  Panel Ref: I.D.2

Alexander Kirkpatrick was born on the 6th April, 1891 at 17 Ash Street, Bootle the son of Samuel Kirkpatrick and his wife Annie (nee Birkmyre) who were married on the 5th June 1877 at St.George's Church, Everton. Alexander was baptised at St Matthew's Church on the 6th April 1891. His father was a mariner. He had 6 siblings, Janet, John, Ellen, Thomas, Samuel, and Elizabeth. 

1901 Census shows the family are still at 17 Ash Street, Bootle. 

Father Samuel aged 58 a boiler attendant b,Dumfries, mother Annie 42 b.Kirkudbright, children all born Bootle, John 17 a stationary engine driver, Ellen 16, Thomas 14 a Port errand boy, Samuel 13, Bessie 11, and Alexander 9.

The father Samuel died in 1903 aged 59.

By 1911 the Census shows that the family have moved to 3 Pennington Road, Litherland. 

Mother Annie 62 is a Widow (married 33 years 9 children 8 still alive), children John 28 a dock labourer, Ellen 26 a domestic servant, Thomas 24 a casual furniture remover, Samuel 23 chemical worker, Bessie 21, and Alexander 19 a house painter.

Also in the 1911 Census at 6 Esplanade, Waterloo shows his sister Janet as a Servant. (She was born in 1880 in Kirkudbright, Scotland where her mother was born).

Mother died September 1911 aged 62 shortly after the census was taken.

Alexander's service records have survived. These show he enlisted in Seaforth on 12th August 1914 and he arrived in France with his battalion on 19th May 1915. His service records are very badly burned and only snippets are readable. 

1.2.1916 - Admitted to 43 F.A. and 10 CCS with Gonorrhea

3.2.1916 - Etaples admitted 1st Canadian G.Hosp.

4.2.1916 - Havre admitted 9 Stat.Hosp.

14.2.1916 - Discharged to No.1 Camp Le Havre

2.3.1916 - Eaples joined Inf. Base Depot

30.8.1916 - Admitted 24 G.Hosp

5.9.1916 - Rejoined the Batn.

9.8.1917 - Admitted to 74 F.A.

19.8.1917 - Rejoined the Batn.

5.9.1917 - Admitted to 42 and 44 F.A. with injuries to legs

22.9.1917 - Rejoined the Batn.

12.10.1917 - posted to 20/KLR

21-28.3.1918 - missing

His sister Janet Kirkpatrick was his next of kin and she wrote asking for his death certificate for club purposes and also wrote another letter asking for his will. Alexander spent some time in hospital with illnesses, in one letter dated 11th February 1916 to his sister, he was in the 9th Stationary Hospital in Le Havre with sickness (not yet diagnosed).

Alexander spent some time in hospital with illnesses, in one letter dated 11th February 1916 to his sister, he was in the 9th Stationary Hospital in Hearne with sickness (not yet diagnosed). This record shows that at this time he was still serving with the 11th Battalion. Addresses for his sister included 30 Riddock Road, 52, Kimberley Drive, Crosby and c/o Mrs Ashworth Ashlea Elton Avenue, Blundellsands. At some point he was transferred to the 20th Bn K.L.R. and subsequently to the 18th Bn, likely when the 20th was disbanded in February 1918. He was serving with the 18^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 12090 when he was killed in action between the dates 21^st and the 28^th March, 1918, aged 26 during the German Spring Offensive. His death assumed to be 28th March 1918 for official purposes.

The Battalion Diary gives an insight into the chaotic events of the day

28^th March

At about 6am the enemy commenced to shell heavily the whole of the forward line and brought Trench Mortars and MACHINE Guns into action.

FOLIES was shelled and the area in the rear of the village as far back as LE QUESNEL.

Rations were received at dawn and parties were organised to carry them to the Companies on the right. Owing to the heavy fire, however, it was not possible to get them up.

Heavy fighting was in progress on the right from soon after dawn and at 8am the enemy was reported to be in possession of BOUCHOIR and progressing towards the BEETROOT FACTORY. About 10am  the 59^th Infy Brigade was notified that it was relieved by the French and the Battalions of that Brigade were at once withdrawn in the direction of LE QUESNEL.

At noon the enemy was bombarding the village and vicinity heavily and reports were received that he was in occupation of WARVILLERS on the left and ARVILLERS on the right.

The front line East of FOLIES continued to resist until about 2pm when the order was received from the 89^th Infy Brigade to the effect that the Battalions were relieved by the French and would withdraw at once to MEZIERES, where the men would be fed. Companies withdrew under some shelling and very heavy M.G. and rifle fire from the left , through K10 -K3 – North side LE QUESNEL to the main ROYE road and reorganised about D.29 c. The march from this point was conducted in good order despite the congested roads.

At MEZIERES it was decided to continue a rearward movement and the march was resumed via VILLERS-MOREUIL – MORISEL – ROUVREL, which village was reached about 7pm and the Battalion billeted. The men had marched 13 miles from the left position in good order and with practically no straggling. They were exhausted on arrival at ROUVREL, but in good heart.

Echelon ‘A’ of the Transport joined the Battalion at this village and the men were fed immediately on arrival. The night passed without incident.

Alexander now lies in Pargny British Cemetery.

MISSING SOLDIER.

Private Alexander (Alex.) Kirkpatrick (12090), 18th K.L.R., is reported missing since March 26th, 1918. Any news from comrades of returned

prisoners of war will be thankfully received by his sister, Miss Janet Fitzpatrick, c/o Mrs. Watson, 6, Riddock-road, Litherland. 

He is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

Bootle Civic Memorial

Hawthorne Road Council School Memorial

Litherland Civic Memorial

Litherland Roll of Honour.

His brother Samuel Kirkpatrick died of wounds on 26th October 1918 which serving as Private 266581 with the King’s 4th Battalion and is buried at Awoingt British Cemetery. He left a widow and three children.

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