Pte 21568 William Mahar

• Age: 25
• From: Runcorn, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Tuesday 5th September 1916
• Commemorated at: Loos Memorial
  Panel Ref: P27-30

William was born in Runcorn in the second quarter of 1891 the son of James Maher and his wife Sarah (nee Evans). 

The 1901 Census finds the family living at 14 Great George Street, Liverpool. The father, James is a Labourer born in Liverpool in 1850. His wife Sarah is also from Liverpool having been born in 1850. Also present in the home alongside William are his siblings: Jane b.1879, Francis b. 1886, John b.1890 and Harry b.1894. 

(Another brother James died in March 1896).

William's mother Sarah died in the first quarter of 1907.

The 1911 Census has William living with his father James, now a widower, and siblings; Harry and Jane at 22 Radcliffe Street, Everton with the family of Lawrence and Catherine Connor. This appears to be the home of his eldest sister. William is now 19 and a draper's assistant. 

William enlisted in Liverpool on 11th September 1914 joining the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 21568, although on his attestation papers the number 18169 has been crossed through. He gave his age as 23 years and 131 days and his occupation as a Clerk. He is described as being 5'7 and a quarter inches tall, Weighing 117lbs with a 35 inch chest. He is of fresh complexion with grey eyes and brown hair. 

After initial training at Sefton Park, the battalion were housed in specially constructed accomodation at Knowsley Hall. They remained here until 30th April 1915 when they left Liverpool via Prescot Station bound for Belton Park, Grantham and further training. It was at Grantham that William recieved a 7 day Field Punishment on 20/06/1915 for overstaying his pass. Their final training from September onwards was at Lark Hill Camp on Salisbury Plain and William was again in trouble this time he was admonished for Disobedience of battalion orders. William along with his battalion reached France by 07/11/1915.

William was killed in action on 05th September 1916, aged 25.

There was some doubt as to what had happened in relation to William as his death was assumed to be 05/09/16 for official purposes. This followed correspondence from a Mrs Connor (William's eldest sister):

"The information concerning the death of 21568 Pte W Maher (sic) of the Liverpool Regiment reported on the official German list. It is not interpreted as meaning that W Maher died as POW but that he was killed in action on that day (05-09-1916), his body being found in the field by the Germans".

William's body was subsequently lost as his name is now recorded on the Loos Memorial in France. 

The Loos Memorial commemorates over 20,000 officers and men who have no known grave, who fell in the area from the River Lys to the old southern boundary of the First Army, east and west of Grenay, from the first day of the Battle of Loos to the end of the war. On either side of the cemetery is a wall 15 feet high, to which are fixed tablets on which are carved the names of those commemorated. At the back are four small circular courts, open to the sky, in which the lines of tablets are continued, and between these courts are three semicircular walls or apses, two of which carry tablets, while on the centre apse is erected the Cross of Sacrifice.

The memorial was designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Charles Wheeler. It was unveiled by Sir Nevil Macready on 4 August 1930.

Liverpool Echo 27th September 1916

Private William Mahar, K.L.R., Mrs L. Connor, 23 Radcliffe Street, Everton. Prior to the war he was employed at Messrs. G. H. Lee and Company, Basnett Street.

His sister Mrs Connor recieved both William's effects and his medals.