1885 - 1916
CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916
Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916
Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916
Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918
Pte 16538 John Lello
- Age: 26
- From: Liverpool
- Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
- D.O.W Wednesday 27th March 1918
- Commemorated at: Namps-au-val Brit Cem
Panel Ref: I.C.8
John was born in the December quarter of 1891 in Liverpool, the son of Walter Joseph Lello and his wife Annie (née Heaney). His father, from Birmingham, and his mother, from Liverpool, married in Liverpool on the 19th March 1880 at Our Lady and St Nicholas Church, Liverpool. Walter was a 23 year old labourer of Vauxhall Road, his father, Richard, was a bricklayer, whilst Annie was aged 24, same address, her father, Robert, was a labourer. John had older sisters Harriet, Lizzie, and Mary, and older brothers Richard, and Walter, who died in infancy, and a younger brother Walter Joseph.
The 1901 census finds the family at 17 Latham Street, Kirkdale, Liverpool, with six children. John is 9. His father is a boiler maker, Annie is 42, Harriet 20, Elizabeth 18, Richard 15, Mary 12, and Walter 6. They have two boarders, both boiler makers.
By 1911 they have moved to 91 Latham Street. His father, is aged 54, a boiler rivetter, his mother is aged 57, Harriet, 30, is a tailoress in a tailor’s shop. They advised that they have been married for 31 years, and have had 7 children, 6 of whom have survived. Two children are declared in the household; John, aged 19, is a flour miller’s clerk, and Walter, aged 16, is an office boy also in a flour mill.
By 1911 they have moved to 91 Latham Street. His father is 54, a boiler rivetter, his mother is 57, Harriet, 30, is a tailoress in a tailor’s shop, John, 19, is a flour miller’s clerk, and Walter, 16, is an office boy also in a flour mill.
He enlisted in Liverpool on the 02nd September 1914 joining the 18th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 16538. He gave his age as 22 years and 10 months and his occupation as a clerk. He was described as being 5'9 inches tall, weighing 132lbs, with a 37” chest, being of sallow complexion with grey eyes and brown hair. He stated his religion as Church of England and next of kin is given as his father Walter Lello of 45 Fowler Street, Everton.
From the 23rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th 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 07th November 1915.
He received a Good Conduct Medal on 02nd September 1916 after completing 2 years service, and granted Class 1 Proficiency Pay. His records show that he was granted leave to the UK between 18th and 29th July 1917.
John died of wounds on the 27th March 1918 aged 26 during the German Spring Offensive. He was described as wounded between 21 - 27/03/1918 such was the ferocity of the fighting. He was taken to No.4 CCS.
He now lies in Namps-Au-Val British Cemetery, France where his headstone bears the epitaph:
"ONE OF ENGLAND'S HEROES BRAVE, NOBLE & TRUE"
At the end of March 1918, when the German offensive in Picardy began, the 41st, 50th and 55th Casualty Clearing Stations came to Namps-au-Val, remaining until the middle of April. Almost all the burials in the cemetery were carried out by them, but nine graves in Plot II, Row D, were brought after the Armistice from CONTY FRENCH MILITARY CEMETERY. The cemetery contains 408 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and one from the Second World War. There are also 16 French war graves. The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.
“Private John Lello, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Lello, 45, Fowler Street, died of wounds in France on March 27. He enlisted in the Liverpool Pals on September 2, 1914. He is deeply mourned by his mother, father, sisters, and two brothers in France.”
FALLEN HEROES.
Pte John Lello, who joined the Pals in September, 1914, died from wounds March 27, 1918. He was a scholar of Stanley Road Board School, and for eight years are clerk in the North Shore Mills. He lived with his parents are 45 Fowler Street.
His effects were returned to his father Walter, they included letters, photographs, one badge, a letter case, cards, 2 numerals, 1 ring and 1 identity disc.
His parents received his Army effects, Army Pay of £21 4s 10d and a War Gratuity of £16-10s. His mother Annie, at 45 Fowler Street, Everton, was awarded a pension of 7/6d a week from October 1918.
We currently have no further information on John Lello. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.
Killed On This Day.
(108 Years this day)Tuesday 30th April 1918.
L/Cpl 29203 Valentine Alexander
26 years old
(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 27948 Joseph Atherton
26 years old
(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 51896 Richard Edward Banks
34 years old
(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 46630 Watson Bell
38 years old
(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Lieut Roland Henry Brewerton
27 years old
(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 51708 Charles Norman Dod
21 years old
(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
L/Cpl 94246 Frank Emison
24 years old
(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 23056 John William Jones
27 years old
(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 49572 John Henry Leadbeater (MM)
27 years old
(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Sgt 22462 James Lowe (MID)
25 years old
(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 51712 Edgar Domenico Murray
21 years old
(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 269899 Harry Pitts
21 years old
A total of 14 Pals were killed on this day. View All