Pte 16465 Alfred Limb

• Age: 26
• From: Runcorn, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 1st July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

16465 Private Alfred LIMB, 18^th Battalion, KLR.

Alfred was born on 12th March 1890 at Weston Point, Runcorn, Alfred was the sixth of nine children and the youngest of three sons born to Harry Limb, and his wife Mary Ann(nee Bailey) who were married in 1879 at all Saints, Runcorn. He was baptised on the 16th June 1890 at Weston Point and at the time of the war lived at 59 York Street, Runcorn. 

Alfred was known to be a keen boxer winning several prizes and two cups.

The 1891 Census shows the family living at South Road, Runcorn, Cheshire.

His father, Harry, is aged 35, born in Knutsford, Cheshire in 1856 and employed as a waterman whilst his mother Mary is aged 33, born 1858 in South Shields, Durham and has no occupation listed. At the time of the Census, they have six children. Their children are Alice aged 10, born 1881 in Holmes Chapel, Harry aged 8, born 1883, William aged 7, born 1884, and Mary aged 5, born 1886 are all scholars, Elizabeth aged 3, born 1888 and Alfred aged 1, born 1890 were all born in Weston. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at Post Office Lane, Weston, Runcorn, Cheshire.

His father, Harry, is aged 43, born 1858 (year of birth has changed from 1901 Census to 1858 from 1856) and employed as a tug master. His wife Mary is aged 43 and has no occupation listed. At the time of the 1901 Census, they have nine children. Alice aged 20, no occupation listed, Harry aged 18, is a yeoman, William aged 17, is a dock crane driver, Mary Ann aged 15, is a dressmaker, Elizabeth aged 13, Alfred aged 11, Ruth aged 8, born 1893, Dorothy aged 6, born 1895 and Minnie aged 3, born 1898. They have two visitors at the address Alice Mudford aged 38, born 1863 who is married and her daughter Daisy Ruth aged 11, born 1890. 

The 1911 Census shows the family living at South Parade Weston Point Cheshire.

His father Harry is not listed on the Census and his wife Mary now aged 51(her year of birth has changed from the 1901 Census) and has no occupation listed. She advises that she has been married for twenty nine years and has had nine children, all of whom have survived. Mary aged 25 is a dressmaker for a retail tailor, Alfred aged 21 is a helmsman on the Manchester Ship Canal, Ruth aged 18 is assisting with housework, Dorothy aged 16, is a dressmaker and Minnie aged 13 is at school.

Alfred enlisted at St George's Hall Liverpool on 02^nd September 1914 joining the 18th Battalion as Private 16465. He gave his age as 24 years 170 days, and his occupation as a helmsman and his next of kin as his father, 59 York Street, Runcorn. He was described as being five feet five and a quarter inches tall, weighed 124lbs, 36” chest, with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair and gave his religion as Church of England. 

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd 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. 

On 07^th April 1915 he was appointed Lance Corporal (Paid) but reverted to the rank of Private at his own request on 01st November 1915.

He crossed to France with his Battalion on 07th November 1915 on board the SS Invicta.

Alfred was killed in action  during the attack at Montauban on 01^st July 1916 with 7 Platoon, No 2 Company of the 18th Battalion. 

18^th Battalion Diary

At 6.30am the artillery commenced an intensive bombardment of the enemy’s trenches. Zero Hour – 7.30 am – the battalion commenced to leave their trenches and the attack commenced. The attack was pressed with great spirit and determination in spite of heavy shelling and machine gun enfilade fire which caused casualties amounting to 2/3rds of the strength of the Battalion in action. The whole system of German trenches including the Glatz Redoubt was captured without any deviation from the scheduled programme. Consolidated positions and made strong points for defence against possible counter attacks. 

Graham Maddocks provides more detail concerning the events of the day:

As the first three waves began to move forward towards the German reserve line, known as Alt Trench and then on to the Glatz Redoubt itself, they suddenly came under enfilading fire from the left. This was from a machine gun which the Germans had sited at a strong point in Alt Trench. The gun itself was protected by a party of snipers and bombers, who, hidden in a rough hedge, were dug into a position in Alt Trench, at its junction with a communication trench known as Alt Alley. These bombers and snipers were themselves protected by rifle fire from another communication trench, Train Alley which snaked back up the high ground and into Montauban itself. The machine gun fire was devastating and it is certain that nearly of the Battalion’s casualties that day were caused by that one gun.  

Lieutenant Colonel Edward Henry Trotter  wrote in the conclusion of his account of the days action:

I cannot speak to highly of the gallantry of the Officers and men. The men amply repaid the care and kindness of their Company Officers, who have always tried to lead and not to drive. As laid down in my first lecture to the Battalion when formed, in the words of Prince Kraft:

“Men follow their Officers not from fear, but from love of the Regiment where everything had always and at all times gone well with them”.    

Joe Devereux in his book A Singular Day on the Somme gives the Casualty Breakdown for the 18^th Battalion as Killed in Action 7 Officers and 165 men and of those who died in consequence of the wounds 3 Officers and 19 men a total of 194 out of a total loss for the four Liverpool Pals Battalions of 257.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916.

On 01st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

Alfred left estate valued at £689 13s 2d. 

Probate 1916:- 

LIMB Alfred of 59 York Street, Runcorn Cheshire a private in the 18th Battalion of the King's Liverpool regiment died 1 July 1916 in France Probate Chester 9 November to Mary Ann Limb (wife of Harry Limb). Effects £689 13s 2d.  

His family paid tribute to Alfred on the first anniversary of his death in the Runcorn Weekly News on 29th June 1917 and also the Birkenhead News on 04th July 1917 

LIMB. In loving memory of our dear son, Private Alfred Limb, K.L.R. (Pals), killed in action in France 1st July, 1916. One year has passed, and still we miss him--  

Our hero brave and true —  

Who faced danger freely  

For me and for you.  

Ever remembered by his Father, Mother, Brothers and Sister. 59, York street, Runcorn.  

Alfred’s elder brother, Harry, enlisted at Liverpool on 05^th June 1915 as Sapper 104712, Royal Engineers, Inland Waters Section, aged 33. Harry declared that he was married to Louie (nee Robinson), and had two children born in 1914 and 1915. His home address was 37 Rake Lane, Bromborough. Harry stated that he had served in the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry for 16 months and was immediately promoted to Company Sergeant Major. Between 26^th July 1915 and 26^th September 1916 he served with the BEF in France and on 27^th September 1916 was granted a temporary commission.  On 23^rd October 1918, as Acting Captain, he died at Queen Alexandra’s Red Cross Hospital and now rests in Dunkirk Town Cemetery, Grave IV D 8. 

Harry's death was reported in the Runcorn Weekly News on 01st November 1918: 

LIMB. —23rd October, suddenly from broncho-pneumonia, in France, Captain Harry Limb, R.E., I.W.T., eldest son of Captain and Mrs. Limb, 59 York street, Runcorn.--Deeply mourned by Father, Mother, Brother, and Sisters.  

Alfred was remembered by his family on the second anniversary of his death in the Runcorn Weekly News on 04th July 1919: 

IN MEMORIAM. 

LIMB.—ln loving memory of our dear son Alfred, K.L.R. (Pals), killed in action July Ist, 1916.—Badly missed by all at 59, York street, Runcorn. Three years have passed and still we miss him,  

Our hero brave and true. 

As of May 1919 his siblings were recorded as; Alice Massey aged 39, William aged 35, Mary Ann Young aged 32, Elizabeth Tapsell aged 30, Ruth aged 27, Dorothy aged 24 and Minnie aged 21.  

Alfred is also remembered on the following Memorials

Eastham, located at the junction of Stanley Lane and Village Road, Eastham

Runcorn war Memorial at the junction of Moughland Lane and Greenway Road, Runcorn. 

His father died, aged 79, on the 16th August 1936 

Probate 1936:- 

LIMB Harry of 59 York Street, Runcorn Cheshire died 16 August 1936 at the Royal Infirmary Chester Probate London 19 October to Mary Ann Limb widow. Effects £1066 11s 7d.  

His mother Mary, date of birth 22nd January 1858, appears on the 1939 at 10 Millfield Road, Widnes with her married daughter Dorothy Wynne. She died, aged 88, in 1946. 

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