Cpl 57431 William George Lunn

• Age: 22
• From: London
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 9th April 1917
• Commemorated at: Neuville-vitasse Rd Cem
  Panel Ref: A.25

William George was born on the 25th April 1895  in Camden Town, London and was the eldest son of Henry Lunn and his wife Alice Caroline ( nee Anderson). Henry had been married previously and had three children from his first marriage: Lucy, Henry and Alfred. 

At the time of the 1901 census, the family lived at 55 St Augustine's Road, Camden Lane. William was 5 years old and living with his father Henry who was 36 born in Bermondsey, London and a brewers storekeeper, and his mother who was also 36 born in the Strand. His three half siblings were living there too – Lucy was 15, Henry 14 and Alfred 12. William had two sisters Ethel aged 1 and 3 week old Beatrice, all of the children born in Camden town. They also have a boarder; Emily Olphin 22 from Dundee. 

The 1911 Census records the family at the same address. His father, Henry, is 46 and still a brewers storekeeper, mother Alice is 36. They advised that they have been married for 17 years and have had 7 children of whom 4 have survived. William is 15 and working as a clerk in a dental engineers. His half brother Alfred had emigrated to the USA, and Lucy had married. His other half brother Henry William James 24, was living at home and working as a railway clerk. William now had three sisters, Ethel Florence 11, Beatrice Ellen 10, and 7 year old Alice Louise. 

He enlisted at Camden on the 21st January 1913 as No.1505 the Hertfordshire Yeomanry. He was aged 18 years 9 months, occupation clerk, height 5' 5", chest 34", good vision and good physical development. Address 5 St Augustines Road.

William married May Hodder on the 06th August 1916 at St Catherine's Church, Hatcham, they were both 21 years old, William a soldier of 74 Dennets Road. They had a daughter named Irene the same year.

He enlisted in London and was formerly serving as 2279, London Regiment. 

Following a transfer he was serving in the 18th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Corporal No 57431 when he was killed in action on the 9th April 1917 aged 22 during the Battle of Arras.

Details of the circumstances the 18th Battalion had to contend with on that day are illustrated below:

The battalion formed the left assaulting battalion of the brigade, the 2nd Wiltshire Regiment being on the right, the 19th Manchester Regiment being in support and 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment furnishing “moppers -up” for the two assaulting battalions. The brigade advance was timed to begin at ---- hour after “Zero”, suited to conform with the movements of 56th Division and other divisions on our left further north (near Arras). This battalion’s objective was the front-line system Lion Lane on the left (exclusive) to Panther Lane on right (exclusive). This sector included the strongpoint known as “The Egg”.

The brigade advanced at prearranged time, i.e., 11.38 a.m, from position of assembly trenches south of Neuville Vitasse to German front line. This necessitated an advance across the open of at least 2,000 yards. This area up to Neuville Vitasse- Henin road was crossed in artillery formation; after this, owing to machine-gun fire and considerable resistance from German posts forward in the sunken roads, it was found necessary to deploy. During the whole movement across the open the advancing columns had been under considerable artillery fire from guns of all calibres. On gaining the position immediately in front of German line it was found that the wire was practically uncut; this wire formed two strong belts in front of German trenches. Two small gaps were eventually discovered and Second-Lieut H.F.Merry gallantly led a bombing party through them, but his three remaining men were killed as they reached the German trenches.

From the moment the battalion was “held up” in front of German wire Capt. R. W. Jones, the senior company commander on the spot, at once began the work of consolidating in front of German wire. The battalion held on in this position for the remainder of the day, until relieved by the 16th Manchester Regiment about 3 a.m. on the 10th of April, all the time under intense machine-gun and rifle fire.

Between 9th-10th April, 1917, the 18th King's lost 2 officers 2nd Lt. F. Ashcroft and 2nd Lt. H.G. Ewing and 59 other ranks killed. 8 other officers were wounded.

William George now rests at Neuville-Vitasse Road Cemetery, France where his headstone bears the poignant epitaph:

“THY WILL BE DONE. HOW HARD IT IS TO PART WITH THOSE WE LOVE SO DEAR”

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