Pte 24664 Harry Lloyd

Harry Lloyd was born in Liverpool in August 1888, the son of Alexander Lloyd and his wife Jessie Gibson (née Kaye). His father, born in Liverpool, and his mother in Tranmere, married in Toxteth Park in 1884 and had nine children. Harry had older brothers Alexander and Stanley, and younger siblings Annie, Florence, Arthur, Gertrude, Dora (who died in infancy) and Lily.

 

In 1891 the family is living at 24 Alma Street, Everton. His father is a tailor’s assistant, Alex is 6, Stanley 5, Harry 2, and Annie 1.  

 

The family lived for some time in Robson Street, Everton but by 1901 they have moved to 60 Portman Road, Wavertree, with eight children and a domestic servant. His father is 39, an assistant clothier, his mother is 35, Alexander 16, Stanley 14, Harry 13, Annie 11, Florence 9, Arthur 7, Gertrude 4, and Lily 1.

 

1911 finds his parents at 6 Richardson Street, Edge Hill with Stanley, Florrie, Arthur, Gertrude and Lily. His father is 50, employed as a salesman in a tailor’s shop, his brother Arthur is a tailor’s apprentice, Florrie is a (mantles) saleswoman, and Stanley works for Tramways. Unfortunately, Harry has not been found on the census, or on crew lists.

 

A couple of months after the census, on 21st June 1911, Harry married Mary Ann Collister in Rock Ferry, Wirral, both giving their age as 24 (Harry would have been 22). Their son William Harry was born on 28th December 1911, followed by a daughter Dorothy on 29th September 1914, both born in Liverpool.

 

Harry enlisted in Liverpool  joining the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 24664. The amount of the War Gratuity suggests that he enlisted in January 1915. His younger brother Arthur appears to have enlisted at the same time, with consecutive number 24665, 18th Bn K.L.R. 

They was billeted at 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. 

 

Arthur shipped to France with the battalion on 07th November 1915, whilst Harry arrived in France a few weeks later, on 29th December 1915.  

 

Another daughter, Rita Lorraine, was born on 15th July 1916, when Harry was at the Somme front.

Harry drowned on 06th August 1916 whilst on bathing parade. He was 28 years of age.

He now rests at Robecq Communal Cemetery. 

There are now over 10, 1914-18 and a small number of 1939-45 war casualties commemorated in this site.

He probably never met his youngest child. Her baptism record, in St. Thomas, Wavertree, on 10th September, shows her father as soldier (deceased).

 

His family paid tribute to Harry in the local newspaper on 16th August 1916: 

 

 

Also other tributes from his parents Alex and Jessie Lloyd, sister Annie and brother-in-law Ben, at 7 Seaman Road, as well as his brother Stanley (serving overseas with the R.A.M.C.) and sister-in-law at 3 Alverstone Road, Wavertree.

LLOYD - In loving memory of our darling son Harry (2nd Pals) who was drowned on bathing parade August 6th 1916 and buried with Military Honours in Robecq Cemetery. (Memory is the only friend that grief can call it's own). His sorrowing Mother, Father, Sisters  Alex and Jessie Lloyd.

LLOYD- In loving memory of my beloved brother and chum (our Harry) who died for his country August 6, 1916 and who celebrates his 29th birthday in the "Soldiers Paradise"  today. (The best chum a fellow ever had. Our affection is eternal, pal o' mine). Brother Arthur.

 

Harry earned his three medals.

 

His children were 4 years, 1 year, and one month old when Harry died.

 

His widow Mary received his Army effects, including a War Gratuity of £7.  Mary, living at 46 Plumer Street, Wavertree, and later at 8 Regents Avenue, was awarded a pension of £1-6s-3d from April 1917, increased to £1-9s-7d from May 1918.

 

His loved ones placed In Memoriam notices in the Liverpool Echo on the first anniversary of his death on 7th August 1917: 

 

• Never forgotten by his devoted Wife and Children.”

 

In 1939 his widowed mother Jessie, 74, is living at 7 Bowring Park Avenue, Huyton with Roby, with daughter Lily.  Jessie lived through the Second World War and died in 1955, aged 90. 

 

His widow Mary, 52, is living at 42 Regent Avenue, Huyton with Roby, in 1939, with daughters Dorothy 25, and Rita, 23, both employed in a biscuit factory. Married son William lives up the street with his wife and family, including son Harry. William died in Liverpool in 1987, aged 75.  It is not known when Mary died or what became of his daughter Dorothy. Rita married and emigrated to Australia, where she died in 2010, aged about 94.