1885 - 1916
CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916
Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916
Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916
Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918
Pte 29693 James Lyon
- Age: 19
- From: Prescot, Lancs
- Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
- K.I.A Friday 21st September 1917
- Commemorated at: Torreken Farm
Panel Ref: E.12
James Lyon was born on the 09th March, 1898 in Prescot the son of Nathaniel and Sarah Lyon (née Pendleton) who were married on the 06th August 1888 at St Peter's Church, in Liverpool. Nathaniel was a 20 year old blacksmith of Brownlow Hill, his father, Robert, was a joiner, whilst Sarah was aged 20, also of Brownlow Hill, her father, James, was a painter.
James was baptised on the 29th May 1898 at St Mary's, Church Of England Church, in Prescot.
The 1911 Census shows the family are still living at 7 Carver's Yard, Prescot. His father Nathaniel aged 42, was born at Haydock in 1869 and is a lead press driver at a electrical cable works. James' mother, Sarah Jane, is aged 42, she was born in 1869 in Prescot as were all their children. They have been married for twenty two years and have had eight children of which one had died.Tthose children listed on the Census are; Sarah Jane aged 18, born in 1893 and is a domestic servant, Lucy is aged 16, born in 1895 with no occupation listed, James is aged 13, born in 1898 and Nathaniel is aged 10, born in 1901 are both at school, Robert is aged 7, born in 1904, Albert is aged 5, born in 1906 and Elizabeth is aged 2, and was born in 1909.
He enlisted in Knowsley, Prescot, and was serving with the 18th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 29693 when he was killed in action on the 21st September, 1917 aged 19, during The Third Battle of Ypres.
18th Battalion War Diary for 21st September 1917
Parr Torreken Farm
9.30 pm
Relieved 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment in support to Left Battalion, Right Brigade. Enemy shelled area heavily during relief.
Casualties
Killed
235281 Pte C. H. Bitten
29693 Pte J. Lyon
307277 Pte H. Clifford
57589 Pte H. A. Dodd
300042 Pte W.H. Reed
300040 Pte J. Boon
His death was reported in the St. Helens Reporter on Friday 20th September 1918;
LYON. - In loving memory of Pte. J. Lyon, 18th K.L.R., killed in action 21st September, 1917, age 19 years; also sister, Jinnie, died January 20th, 1917, age 24 years.
All these long sad months of hope and fear,
And now my only hope, my life, my all,
Lies in an unknown grave somewhere in France.
Oh, God, how mysterious are Thy ways
To take him, my all, in the best of his days.
When all alone in sorrow and bitterest tears flow,
There stealeth a dream of the sweet long ago,
And unknown to the world he stands by my side,
And whispers, “God bless you, dear mother, death cannot divide.”
- Never forgotten by Mother and Father and all at home.
10, Rowson-street, Prescot.
James now rests at Torreken Farm Cemetery No.1, Belgium.
Wytschaete was taken by the Germans early in November 1914, and was recovered by Commonwealth forces during the Battle of Messines on 7 June 1917, but fell into German hands once more on 16 April 1918. The village was retaken for the last time on 28 September. The cemetery, begun by the 5th Dorset Regiment in June 1917 and used as a front line cemetery until April 1918, contains 90 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 14 German war graves.
His cousin also died, his death was reported in the St. Helens Reporter on Friday 26th April 1918;
ROBINSON. - In loving memory of Pte. W. H. Robinson, King's Liverpool, who died of wounds somewhere in France, April 26th, 1917. Also Cousin Jim, killed in action September 21st, 1917.
Home at last, their duty done,
Safe and blest, the victory won;
Jordan past, from pain set free,
Angels now have welcomed them.
- Ever remembered by Uncle and Aunt and Cousins.
10. Rowson-street, Prescot.
He earned his two medals.
His Soldiers effects, Army Pay of £4 4s 4d and £10 War Gratuity went to his mother Sarah Jane. She also received a pension of 12/6 pw, her address 10 Rowson Street, Prescot.
On the 1921 Census at Rowson Street, father Nathaniel is aged 53, a lead press driver, mother Sarah Jane is 52, Nathaniel 20, Robert 18, Albert 15, Elizabeth 12, and married daughter Lucy Beesley 26.
On the 1939 Register at 72 Kemble Street, Prescot, are father Nathaniel, date of birth 18th May 1868, and mother Sarah Jane, date of birth 18th December 1868, with sons Nathaniel and Albert.
His mother died aged 71 in 1940, and his father aged 74 in 1943.
James is also commemorated at St Mary's C. of E. Church, Knowsley.
Grateful thanks are extended to Ancestry member Tas60 in Australia for permission to use the photograph of James now shown on the website.
We currently have no further information on James Lyon, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.
Killed On This Day.
(108 Years this day)Tuesday 30th April 1918.
L/Cpl 29203 Valentine Alexander
26 years old
(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 27948 Joseph Atherton
26 years old
(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 51896 Richard Edward Banks
34 years old
(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 46630 Watson Bell
38 years old
(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Lieut Roland Henry Brewerton
27 years old
(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 51708 Charles Norman Dod
21 years old
(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
L/Cpl 94246 Frank Emison
24 years old
(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 23056 John William Jones
27 years old
(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 49572 John Henry Leadbeater (MM)
27 years old
(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Sgt 22462 James Lowe (MID)
25 years old
(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 51712 Edgar Domenico Murray
21 years old
(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 269899 Harry Pitts
21 years old
A total of 14 Pals were killed on this day. View All