Pte 243873 Thomas Henry Lyon

• Age: 21
• From: Cressington, Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Friday 27th July 1917
• Commemorated at: Menin Gate Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 4 & 6

Thomas Henry Lyon was born in 1895 in Cressington and resided in West Kirby. He was the son of Thomas Lyon and his wife Nora A.  of 23, Bridge Road., West Kirby, Cheshire.

There was some confusion over his surname. Until his father was an adult all members of the family used ‘Lyons’, but just this small branch of the family used ‘Lyon’.

The family, listed as Lyons, are found on the 1901 Census at 5 Grange Road, Hoylake cum West Kirby. His father, THomas is a 39 year old domestic gardener, born in Thelwall, Cheshire, his mother is recorded as Rose and is aged 39 and was born in Madeley, Salop. Thomas is 5 years old,and was born in Liverpool. The family have two other people recorded. William Nioxon is a lodger and Agnes Satterthwaite is a visitor.    

His father Thomas died 23rd January 1910

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 5 Deva Road, West Kirby.  His mother, Nora, is a widow aged 49, birth Records show her month of birth as December 1861 and her name as Rosannah) her occupation is as a boarding house keeper. Her only son Thomas Henry is aged 15, born 1896 and occupation office boy. They have three boarders at the address John Reginald Payne aged 25, born 1886 a tailor’s manager and was born in Paddington, London, Tom White aged 25, born 1886 a reporter/ compositor bon in Keswick and Mary Ellen Edwards a widow of private means aged 62, born 1849 in Coventry.

Prior to the outbreak of war Thomas Henry had been employed by the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board.

Harry enlisted in Liverpool and he was serving in the 19th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 243873 when he was killed in action on the 27th July 1917 aged 21. CWGC records his death as 27th July 1917 whilst SDGW shows 29/07/1917. 

The 19th Battalion Diary records the events of the day as follows:

"Very heavy shelling during the day on front and support lines. Our artillery was also very active during the day and night. At night 'B' Company relieved 'C' Company in the front line. Later word was received tha the Germans had retired on our left and 'D' Company were immediately sent into the front line to reinforce 'B' Company. Patrols of the 16th Battalion, Manchester Regiment pushed forward but returned just before daybreak after finding the enemy trenches were occupied, and at the same time 'D' Company returned to the front support line from the front line". 

His body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium.

The site of the Menin Gate was chosen because of the hundreds of thousands of men who passed through it on their way to the battlefields. It commemorates casualties from the forces of Australia, Canada, India, South Africa and United Kingdom who died in the Salient. In the case of United Kingdom casualties, only those prior 16 August 1917 (with some exceptions). United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after that date are named on the memorial at Tyne Cot, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war. New Zealand casualties that died prior to 16 August 1917 are commemorated on memorials at Buttes New British Cemetery and Messines Ridge British Cemetery.

The YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL now bears the names of more than 54,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield with sculpture by Sir William Reid-Dick, was unveiled by Lord Plumer on 24 July 1927. 

His death was reported in the Deeside Advertiser dated 24^th August, 1917:

WEST KIRBY’S ‘MAN REWARD

LOST SOLDIERS RESOLUTENESS

With modesty characteristic of a true British “Tommy” Pte. Harry Lyon, Bridge Road, West Kirby, whose death at the front we reported, told no-one outside his own family circle of the special recognition he received on one occasion in connection with his military duties. Since his demise, however, it has come to light that he was awarded a certificate bearing the following testimony to his efficiency:-“An appreciation of good services rendered by No 243873, Lyon, T. H., King’s Liverpool Regiment, for good work on patrol when endeavouring to secure identification. Although the enemy fired and bombed at the patrol he, with his officer, made a second attempt in another place. H showed great courage and coolness. Second Lieutenant J. Ross.”

Another officer added:-“He showed great resoluteness in performing a most difficult task.”

A certificate of this kind may, or may not, foreshadow promotion. It is given on the understanding that its face value only is recognised, but a soldier who is singled out for commendation in this way is one whose merits are bound to spell “progress” in military circles.     

The Birkenhead News dated 01st Sept 1917 reported his surname as Lyons.

Soldiers Effects and Pension to his mother Rose Anne/Anna with date 29th July 1917

He is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

West Kirby Civic Memorial

St Bridget’s C. of E. Church, West Kirby

St Andrew’s Church, West Kirby

Mersey Docks and Harbour Board.

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