A/L/Cpl 29287 Harry James Makinson

• Age: 24
• From: Toxteth Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Wednesday 14th March 1917
• Commemorated at: Agny New Military Cem
  Panel Ref: E.7

Harry James was born in Toxteth Park, Liverpool in December 1892 the son of Thomas Makinson and his wife Emily Mary (nee Cherry) who married on 29/04/1883 at St Michael's Church in Toxteth. Thomas was a native of Cumberland whilst Emily was from Liverpool

His parents had seven children, four of whom sadly died young.  He had older siblings Emily Mary, born in 1884 (died at age 1), Thomas William 1885, John 1888 (died at age 2), and Mary Jane (known as Jennie), born in 1890.  He had two younger siblings, Alfred Frederick 1896 (died in infancy), and Emily May, born in 1901 (died at age 4).  

The Census of 1901 shows the family are living at 6 Coburg Street, with three children, Thomas, Mary, and Harry, 8, and three boarders. His father is a hollowware turner. 

Harry was working as an assistant cook with the White Star Line between 1909 - 1910. From the Crew lists we learn that he signed on for his first voyage on the Huayna (Iquitos Steamship Co., later Booth Line) departing Liverpool on 23rd October 1909, to Iquitos, Peru, returning on 3rd February 1910. He is listed as an assistant cook, age 18, address 5 Princes Road.  He made a second trip on the same ship to Iquitos from 15th March 1910, returning 21st June.

Neither Harry nor his mother have been found on the 1911 census.  His sister Jennie, 20, is employed as a servant in Upper Parliament Street.  His brother Thomas (known as William) is married, living with his family in Olivedale Road. His father is found boarding at 106 Harrowby Street, Liverpool.  He is 55, a joiner’s labourer, listed as single. His parents both appear on electoral rolls at 122 Selbourne Street into the 1920s, with a Frederick Charles Atkinson, relationship unknown.

Harry is listed on the 1912-14 electoral rolls at 106 Harrowby Street.

He married Annie Maud Fleetwood at St Clement's Church, Toxteth on 22nd June 1913 both bride and groom were 20 years of age. On the certificate the date June 15th is crossed out, and replaced with 22nd, a week later.  Harry gave his occupation as goods porter, his residence as 106 Harrowby Street (his father’s address), and his father’s occupation as electrician.

Their first child, Annie Elizabeth, was born on 19th April 1913, and baptised on June 15th, before her parents’ marriage.  Another daughter, Elsie Agnes, was born on 17th October 1914, and a son, Harry John James, on 1st August 1916.  At the baptisms of all three children, the parents’ residence is given as 49 Sutcliffe Street, Kensington, Liverpool, and Harry’s occupation as labourer.  

Harry enlisted in the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 29287. The amount of the War Gratuity suggests that he enlisted in about May 1915; however, at his son’s baptism on 01st November 1916 Harry is not listed as a soldier, but as a labourer. A 1914-1915 Star medal roll has not been found, indicating that Harry shipped overseas in 1916. 

His name appeared in the list of Wounded published in the Liverpool Post & Mercury on 21st August 1916.  (As this edition also lists Pals KIA at Trônes Wood between 10th - 12th July, it is likely that Harry was wounded during the murderous fighting in the wood, which Graham Maddocks calls a (“virtual death trap”).  Harry recovered from his wounds and returned to his battalion.

In February 1917 the 20th Bn was near Halloy and on the 4th marched to Warluzel, then to Monchiet and arrived at Agny on the 6th.  On the 7th they relieved the 19th K.L.R. in G.1 Left Sub-Sector.  On the 10th took over front and support lines from the 2nd Yorkshires, and returned to Monchiet on the 12th, providing working parties unloading stores and shells.  The Diary shows Training from the 19th until marching to Agny on the 24th. 

Four-Officer patrols were sent out each night to ascertain whether enemy saps and line were held; sounds were heard but no enemy patrols encountered.  During the day the battalion worked clearing out front line and communication trenches, and cleaning, deepening and revetting front and support lines. 

No patrols were sent out on 5th/6th March owing to brightness of moon and fall of snow.  The 7th shows vigorous patrolling during the night to reconnoitre the Racecourse. A very high wind made it impossible to hear what was going on in the enemy trenches. Very bright moon.  On the 8th they marched to Arras, and from 9th to 13th provided large working parties constructing gun positions, laying cable and carrying bombs for Trench Mortar Batteries in the line at Agny.   

On the 14th the battalion relieved the 2nd Wiltshires in G.2 Sub-Sector, with ‘A’ Coy on the right, ‘B’ on left, ‘C’ in support and ‘ D’ Coy in reserve.  Patrols under 2nd Lt. Huntriss went out during the night to examine the enemy’s saps. A machine gun opened fire from Sap 27. One man was killed.

Although the battalion War Diary records only one man killed, Pte, 36759 John Webster was also killed in action on this date. 

Harry had reached the rank of acting Lance Corporal when he was killed in action on 14th March 1917 aged 24.

He now rests at Agny New Military Cemetery in France.

Agny New Military Cemetery was begun by French troops, and used by Commonwealth units and field ambulances from March 1916 to June 1917. Two further burials were made in April 1918, and in 1923-24, 137 graves were brought in from the battlefields east of Arras. The 40 French graves have been removed. Agny Military Cemetery contains 408 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 118 of them unidentified, and five German graves. The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. 

His loss left a young widow with three children aged 3, 2 and less than 1 year of age.

Obituary notices were placed in the Liverpool Echo shortly after his death had been reported, these came from his wife and children, his brother and sister and his in law's. 

His loved ones paid tribute in the Liverpool Echo on 30th March 1917: 

“March 14, killed in action, Lance-Corporal Harry Makinson, K.L.R., the dearly-beloved husband of Annie Makinson, 49 Sutcliffe Street, Kensington. - Sadly missed by his Wife and Children.” 

“March 14, killed in action, Lance-Corporal Harry Makinson, K.L.R., always remembered by his affectionate sister, Jennie.” 

“March 14, killed in action, in his 25th year, Lance-Corporal Harry Makinson, K.L.R., the dearly-beloved son-in-law of J. and A. Fleetwood, 49 Sutcliffe Street.” 

“March 14, killed in action, Lance-Corporal Harry Makinson, the dearly-beloved brother of Mr. and Mrs. W. Makinson, 3, Olivedale Road, Moseley Hill, Liverpool.”

His widow Annie received his Army effects, including a War Gratuity of £8, and was awarded a pension (living at 49 Sutcliffe Street) of £1-6s-3d a week for herself and three children from September 1917. 

Liverpool Echo 14th March 1918

MAKINSON - In loving memory of my dear husband, Lance Corporal HARRY MAKINSON, killed in action, March 14, 1917. - Sadly missed by his Wife and three Children, 49 Sutcliffe Street.

MAKINSON - Killed in action. March 14, 1917, my beloved youngest son K.L.R.

You may be forgotten by some,

But never, no never by me;

For as long as life and memory last,

I will ever remember thee.

Fondly remembered by Mother, Gran, Fred and all at 122 Selborne Street. - Mother

MAKINSON - In loving remembrance of our dear son-in-law HARRY, killed in action, March 14, 1917. - Ever remembered by J. and A. Fleetwood, 49 Sutcliffe Street.

MAKINSON - In loving memory of my dear brother Lance Corporal HARRY MAKINSON K.L.R., killed in action, March 14, 1917. Always remembered by his sister Jennie. 

Soldiers Effects and Pension to widow Annie M. and children Annie, Elsie Agnes May and Harry John James.

Harry's brother Thomas served in the Army Service Corps and survived the war. He had a son whom he named after Harry. 

His father died in 1926, aged 69. 

In 1939 his mother Emily is living at 65 Ponsonby Street. She died in 1947 at the age of 87. His widow Annie, 47, is living in Munster Road, Liverpool. 

Harry's wife Annie never remarried and died in 1940 aged 47. His children all married and had children of their own.

Harry is commemorated on the following Memorials

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 28

Central Hall Methodist Mission, Liverpool

St. Philip & St. David’s Church, Newsham Park.

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