Cpl 17412 Albert Lightfoot

• Age: 28
• From: Runcorn, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Friday 27th July 1917
• Commemorated at: Menin Gate Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 4 & 6

Albert Lightfoot was born in Runcorn in 1889 and was baptised on 07th July 1889 at All Saint's Church, Runcorn. He was the son of Nathaniel Lightfoot and his wife Susan (nee Hulse) who married in Christ Church, Wharton, Nr Winsford, Cheshire, in 1880. Albert was the fourth of six children; his siblings were Arthur, Henry, Ethel, Margaret, and Ernest.

The 1891 Census shows the family living at Arthur Street, Runcorn, Cheshire.
His father, Nathaniel, is aged 36, born in Winsford, Cheshire in 1855 and is a boiler maker, his mother, Susan, is aged 32, born in Winsford in 1859 and has no occupation listed. They have four children at the time of the Census who were all born in Runcorn; Arthur aged 9, born 1882, and Henry aged 7, born 1884 are both scholars, Ethel aged 5, born 1886 and Albert aged 1.   

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 22 Arthur Street, Runcorn, Cheshire.
His father, Nathaniel, is aged 45 and still employed as a boiler maker, his mother, Susan, is aged 42 and has no occupation listed. They have six children in the household; Arthur aged 19, is employed as an apprentice boilermaker, Henry (now showing as Thomas Henry) aged 17 is an apprentice coppersmith, Ethel aged 15, Albert aged 11, Margaret aged 8 and Ernest aged 5. 

The 1911 Census shows the family have moved and are now living at 8 Picow Street, Runcorn, Cheshire.
His father, Nathaniel, is aged 55 employed as a boiler rivetter, his mother, Susan, is aged 52 and has no occupation listed. They have been married for thirty years and have had six children. They have four children living at home; Ethel aged 25 has no occupation listed, Albert aged 21, is a ledger clerk, Margaret (Nellie) aged 18 no occupation and Ernest aged 15 is a book hall assistant. 

Albert enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on the 02nd September 1914, joining the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 17412. He gave his age as 25 years and 131 days and his occupation as a clerk. He was described as being five feet six and a half inches tall, weighed 130lbs, 36” chest, with a sallow complexion, chest 36”, brown eyes and dark brown hair. He stated his religion as Church of England and his next of kin as his father Nathaniel.  

Formed on 07^th September 1914 the 19^th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th 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. 

20.5.15: Appointed unpaid Lance Corporal.

01.6.15: Reverts to Private at own request.

07.11.15: Embarked for France with his battalion.

19.3.16: Appointed acting Lance Corporal.

29.5.16: Reverts to Private.

1.7.16: Wounded to F.A., neck and back wound and admitted to 13th Corps Collecting Post. 

2.7.16: Admitted to 8 Gen. Hospital in Rouen with GSW to right shoulder. 

5.7.16: Returned to England on Hospital Ship “Maheno”. 

13.1.17: Re-embarked Folkestone for Boulogne, and posted to 17/KLR at No.24 I.B.Depot.  

17.1.17: Joined and posted to “A” Coy 17/KLR. 

19.1.17: Posted to 19/KLR.  

02.3.17: Appointed paid Lance Corporal.  

19.4.17: Admitted to 30 Div.Rest Stn. with Myalgia. 

18.5.17: Appointed paid acting Corporal.

Albert was wounded on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme when the Liverpool Pals attacked Montauban.

His wounding was reported in the Runcorn Guardian on 14th July 1916:

PICOW STREET "PAL" INJURED

Private Albert Lightfoot of Picow Street, Runcorn has been wounded in the recent fighting. He was in the Liverpool "Pals" and had been out at the front since October. Prior to the war he was employed in the general offices of the Runcorn Co-op Society in Church Street.

He returned to the front in January 1917. 

He had attained the rank of acting Corporal when he was killed in action on 27th July 1917, aged 28.

The 19th Battalion Diary records the events of the day as follows:

"Very heavy shelling during the day on front and support lines. Our artillery was also very active during the day and night. At night 'B' Company relieved 'C' Company in the front line. Later word was received that the Germans had retired on our left and 'D' Company were immediately sent into the front line to reinforce 'B' Company. Patrols of the 16th Battalion, Manchester Regiment pushed forward but returned just before daybreak after finding the enemy trenches were occupied, and at the same time 'D' Company returned to the front support line from the front line". 

Albert's body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as his name is recorded on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, Belgium.

The site of the Menin Gate was chosen because of the hundreds of thousands of men who passed through it on their way to the battlefields. It commemorates casualties from the forces of Australia, Canada, India, South Africa and United Kingdom who died in the Salient. In the case of United Kingdom casualties, only those prior 16 August 1917 (with some exceptions). United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after that date are named on the memorial at Tyne Cot, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war. New Zealand casualties that died prior to 16 August 1917 are commemorated on memorials at Buttes New British Cemetery and Messines Ridge British Cemetery.

The YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL now bears the names of more than 54,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield with sculpture by Sir William Reid-Dick, was unveiled by Lord Plumer on 24 July 1927.

Albert’s death was announced in the Runcorn Guardian on 17^th August 1917 and it contains much detail of his life before the War:

“To the list of promising Runcorn athletes who volunteered to serve their country in the hour of danger, and who have made the supreme sacrifice, has to be added the name of Corporal Albert Lightfoot, the third son of Mr. and Mrs. Lightfoot, 8 Picow Street. The official notice states that he was killed in action on July 27^th.  When the country first called for men he was one who willingly answered, throwing in his lot with so many more Runcorn young men on September 2^nd 1914, when he joined the Liverpool Regiment.  He first went out to the front in November 1915, and was wounded on July 1^st 1916.  In January of the present year he again went out and took part in much hard fighting.  Twenty-eight years of age, he was a very popular member of the Runcorn Boating Club, and a member of the committee.  He was one of the crew that won the “Eaton Plate” at the Chester Regatta in 1913 for which each of the crew received a small silver cup.  He was also one of the crew which won the Verdin Cup at the Northwich Regatta on Whit Monday 1914.  He was connected with the Runcorn Tally Ho Harriers, and was a member of St. Michael’s Bible Class.  He received his education at the Parish School, under the late Mr. Jordan and Mr. A.S. Lindsay, and on leaving school was presented with a writing desk by Mr. A.S. Lindsay.  He was a very promising athlete in every way, and very popular with all with whom he came in contact.  Prior to enlisting he was a member of the office staff of the Runcorn and Widnes Co-operative Society.  He has a younger brother serving with the forces.”

Albert was also reported killed in Chester Chronicle on 01st September 1917 as Acting Corporal.

Lightfoot (King’s Liverpool Regiment), 17412, Acting Corporal A., Runcorn (killed); 

His father received his personal effects which included letters, pocket book and damaged cigarette case and his pension.

He is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

Runcorn War Memorial

County Memorial Roll of Honour

The younger brother referred to is Ernest - he enlisted in September 1914 but was discharged two months later as medically unfit for service, but re-enlisted and served in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He died, just months after Albert’s death, on 01^st November 1917.  He was 22 years old. He now rests at Sunken Road Cemetery, Fampoux, Pas de Calais.

Both brothers were remembered in the Runcorn Weekly News on 20th July 1920: 

LIGHTFOOT - In memory of our two dear sons, Albert, Liverpool Pals, (27th July, 1917), and Ernest, Royal Warwicks, (1st November, 1917), both killed in action. - Missed and mourned by their loving Mother, Father, Brothers, and Sisters, 8, Picow street, Runcorn.  

Days of sadness still come o'er us.  

Hidden tears do often flow,  

Memory keeps our dear ones near us, 

Though they died three years ago, 

Time may heal a broken heart;  

Time may make the wound less sore; 

But time will never stop the longing, 

For the loved ones gone before. 

Albert was remembered in an article in the Runcorn Weekly News on 07th October 1927: 

CORPORAL A. LIGHTFOOT.  

To the list of promising Runcorn athletes who volunteered serve their country in the hour of danger and who made the supreme sacrifice, ten years ago, was Corporal Arthur Lightfoot, third son of Mr. and Mrs. Lightfoot of 8, Picow Street. He joined the Liverpool Pals on September 2nd, 1914, and first went out to France in November, 1915. He was on the committee of the Runcorn Boating Club, of which he was a popular member, and was one of the crew that won the "Eaton Plate" at the Chester Regatta in 1913, for which each of the crew received a small silver cup, and was also one of the crew which won the Verdin Cup at the Northwich Regatta on Whit-Monday, 1914. He was also a member of the Runcorn Tally Ho Harriers and was with St. Michael's Bible Class. He received his education at the Parish School, and on leaving school was presented with a writing desk by Mr. Lindsey. In every way he was a very promising athlete and was very popular with all with whom he came in contact. Prior to enlistment he was a member of the staff of the Runcorn and Widnes Cooperative Society. 

 Their father died, aged 76. in 1932 and their mother died, aged 77, in 1936 

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