L/Cpl 22457 John Cecil Lines (MM)

• Age: 25
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• D.O.W Sunday 29th October 1916
• Commemorated at: Etaples Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: VIII.E.11A

John Cecil Lines was born on the 9^th May, 1891 and baptised 13^th July, 1891 at St Peter’s Church of England Church, Liverpool. He was the son of Thomas Lines and his wife Annie (nee Eaton), who were married in 1884 at St James' Church, West Derby

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 71, Rocky Lane, Liverpool. John's father, Thomas,, is aged 39, and is a coach body maker, his mother Annie is aged 39 with no occupation listed. At the time of the Census they had six children living with them, Marguerite aged 15, George aged 13, Thomas aged 11, John Cecil aged 9, Albert aged 7 and Arthur aged 2. Also listed at the address is their brother in law Peter Eaton aged 26, born 1875 in Prescot and employed as a coach body builder.   

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 6 Windsor Road Tuebrook Liverpool. His father Thomas, is aged 49, born 1852 in Leamington, Warwickshire and is a coach body maker, whilst his mother,  Annie,  is aged 49, born 1852 in Prescot. They advised that they had been married for 27 years and had ten children, seven who survived and were all born Liverpool. Those listed on the Census are; Marguerite aged 25, born 1886 and no occupation listed, George aged 23, born 1888 is an Invoice Clerk (Provisions Merchant), Thomas aged 21, born 1890 is an Order Clerk, John aged 19, born 1892 is an Invoice Clerk (Provisions Merchant), Albert aged 17, born 1894 is a Law Clerk, Arthur aged 12, born 1899 and Leslie aged 7, born 1894 are still at school.

John enlisted on the 06^th November, 1914 aged 23 years and 155 days in Liverpool joining the 20th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private 22457 and gave his occupation as a Clerk. He was 5 feet, ten inches tall, weighed 136lbs, fresh complexion and gave his religion as Church of England.

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built 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. He arrived in France on 07^th November 1915. His service records show:

30:07.16: Appointed Paid Lance-Corporal.

21.09.16: Awarded Military Medal for bravery in the field (London Gazette).

The award of the Military Medal was also reported in the Liverpool Echo on 26th October 1916:

“FAR, FAR AWAY OUR LOVED ONE HERE LIES SLEEPING”

During the First World War, the area around Etaples was the scene of immense concentrations of Commonwealth reinforcement camps and hospitals. It was remote from attack, except from aircraft, and accessible by railway from both the northern or the southern battlefields. In 1917, 100,000 troops were camped among the sand dunes and the hospitals, which included eleven general, one stationary, four Red Cross hospitals and a convalescent depot, could deal with 22,000 wounded or sick. In September 1919, ten months after the Armistice, three hospitals and the Q.M.A.A.C. convalescent depot remained.

The cemetery contains 10,771 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, the earliest dating from May 1915. 35 of these burials are unidentified. It is the largest CWGC cemetery in France, and was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Soldiers effects to his father Thomas and pension to his mother Annie and Thomas. 

Jack is commemorated on the  following memorials:

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 65 Left

Christ Church Free C. of E. Church, Tuebrook 

St John the Baptist’s C. of E. Church, Tuebrook

His mother died on 27th May 1930 at 41 Buckingham Road, Tuebrook, aged 68.

His father died in the March quarter of 1931, aged 69.

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