Pte 15728 Magnus Manson

• Age: 23
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Sunday 30th July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

Magnus Manson was born in Toxteth Park, Liverpool on 24th January 1893 and baptised 6th February 1893 at St Peter Church of England, Liverpool. He was the son of William Manson and his wife Mary Ellen (née Robertson). His father was born in Shetland, Scotland in 1851 and was a mariner.  Although his mother was born in Liverpool, she had lived with relatives in Shetland since childhood. Magnus was a family name. His parents married at St Mary, Kirkdale on the 28th Sept 1875 and had nine children, of which Magnus was the youngest. Birth records have been found for seven siblings: Christina, Thomas, Mary Jane (also known as Jane or Jennie), William, Barbara, John, and Ann.   

At the time of the 1901 census the family is living at 470 Mill Street, Liverpool. 

His father away at sea and his mother Mary Ellen, 49, has eight children at home; Christina, 23, and Mary J., 19, are cigarette packers, Thomas, 22, is a general labourer, William, 17, is an apprentice mechanical engineer, and Barbara, 16, is a dressmaker. John 13, Annie 10, and Magnus 8, are at school.

The 1911 Census shows the family have moved and are living at 192 Beresford Road, Toxteth Park, Liverpool.

His mother, Mary Ellen, is aged 59, has no occupation. At the time of the Census she had been married for thirty five years and had nine children of which one had died. She is living with six of her children who were all born in Liverpool; Christina aged 38, born 1873 no occupation, William aged 27, born 1882 is an engineer in shipbuilding, Barbara aged 26, born 1885 is a dressmaker, John aged 23, born 1888 is an engineer in shipbuilding, Annie aged 20, born 1891 is a dressmaker and Magnus aged 18, born 1893 is a clerk in stocks and shares. 

He enlisted at St George's Hall, Liverpool on 02nd September 1914, joining the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 15728. He gave his age as 21 years and 221 days and his occupation as a clerk. He was described as being five feet five and three quarter inches tall, weighed 120lbs, 35” chest, fresh complexion, blue eyes, brown hair and gave his religion as Church of England. 

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

His service records show the following:

23.7.15: Grantham. Absenting himself from fatigues. Two days confined to barracks.

20.8.15: Grantham. Absent form Tattoo 10pm -10.10pm. Three days confined to barracks.

07.11.15: Embarked for France with his battalion.

06.7.16: In the field. Unshaved for parade. Three days confined to barracks.  

Magnus was killed in action on the 30^th July 1916, aged 23, at the village of Guillemont, France, during the Somme Offensive. 

17th Battalion Diary

The Battalion was in support to 19 & 20 Battalions K.L.R. 2 Coys. behind 19th & 2 Coys. behind 20th. Very thick mist. The attack was pushed home to the objective in places but in the main was held up by machine gun fire from hidden machine guns.

Fighting continued all day swaying backwards and forwards until by 6pm about 300 yards in depth had been gained & consolidated all along our front.

Casualties in the 17th Battalion were 15 Officers and 281 Other Ranks

Further details are reported in more detailed by Everard Wyrall in his book The History of the King’s Regiment (Liverpool) 1914-1919 Volume II 1916-1917

The 17th King’s had advanced (two companies each behind the 19th and 20th Battalions) in small columns. They too suffered heavily from machine-gun fire and were quickly absorbed into the waves that preceded them. They also shared the gains and losses of that terrible day.

When darkness fell on the battlefield the 30th Division held a line from the railway on the eastern side of Trones Wood , southwards and including Arrow Head Copse, to east of Maltz Horn Farm. On this line the division was relieved by the 55th Division during the early hours of the 31st July. 

The events of 30th July 1916 were regarded at the time as Liverpool’s blackest day. There follows an extract from The History of the 89th Brigade written by Brigadier General Ferdinand Stanley which gives an indication of the events of the day.

Guillemont

Well the hour to advance came, and of all bad luck in the world it was a thick fog; so thick that you couldn’t see more than about ten yards. It was next to impossible to delay the attack – it was much too big an operation- so forward they had to go. It will give some idea when I say that on one flank we had to go 1,750 yards over big rolling country. Everyone knows what it is like to cross enclosed country which you know really well in a fog and how easy it is to lose your way. Therefore, imagine these rolling hills, with no landmarks and absolutely unknown to anyone. Is it surprising that people lost their way and lost touch with those next to them? As a matter of fact, it was wonderful the way in which many men found their way right to the place we wanted to get to. But as a connected attack it was impossible.

The fog was intense it was practically impossible to keep direction and parties got split up. Owing to the heavy shelling all the Bosches had left their main trenches and were lying out in the open with snipers and machine guns in shell holes, so of course our fellows were the most easy prey.

It is so awfully sad now going about and finding so many splendid fellows gone.

His casualty form shows that he was initially reported as Wounded, to Field Ambulance on 30/07/1916, but an entry dated 26/08/1916 states Killed in action.

It was about six weeks before his parents were informed of his death. His loved ones placed notices in the Liverpool Daily Post on 13th September 1916:

“July 30, killed in action, aged 23 years, Private Magnus Manson, K.L.R., youngest son of William and Mary Manson, 192, Beresford Road, Dingle.

He was a brother, an upright son, who always thought of us, 

And so long as life and memory last will ever be dear to us.

Friends may think that we forget him when at times we’re apt to smile,

Little knowing what grief is hidden behind the surface all the while.

“July 30, killed in action, aged 23 years, Private Magnus Manson, K.L.R., of 192, Beresford Road, Dingle.

  He lies dead within a hero’s grave,

  With other gallant heroes, brave.

          In blood-drenched France.

  A fighter he lived, fighting he died.

  Doing his bit, though sorely tried.

          In the great advance.

(Deeply mourned by his sorrowing Fiancée Cissy.)”

Magnus' body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916. 

On 01st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

He earned his three medals, which his mother signed for.  His 1914-15 Star was issued in the name Manson, and was returned for adjustment.

His father received his outstanding Amy pay of £4-18s-3d and his personal effects which included one disc, two photo's and two letters.

His father died suddenly at age 65 in March 1917, eight months after Magnus was killed, leaving £586 to his widow.  A newspaper notice describes him as a dredging master. 

His mother was awarded a pension of 5/- a week from March 1917, and received the War Gratuity of £8-10s.

His family and his fiancée paid tribute to Magnus in the Liverpool Echo on 30th July 1917, under the heading, “Lost At The Battle Of Guillemont”:

“In loving remembrance of Private Magnus Manson (1st Pals), killed in action July 30, 1916.

Somewhere abroad in a soldier’s grave

Lies our dear boy amongst the brave;

O, God how mysterious and strange are They ways,

To take our dear boy in the best of his days.

- His loving Mother, Sisters, and Brothers, of 192, Beresford Road, Dingle.”

“In loving memory of my youngest brother, Magnus Manson, who was killed somewhere in France, July 30, 1916.

Sleep, laddie sleep.

The Saviour watch doth keep.

He is the Lord on high;

For you He came to die –

Sleep, laddie, sleep

- From his loving sister Jennie.” 

“In ever-loving remembrance of Private Magnus Manson (1st Pals), killed in action July 30.

Gone is the one I loved so dear,

Silent the voice I long to hear;

Far, far away from sight or speech,

But not too far for my thoughts to reach.

There’s one thing Death cannot sever;

Love and remembrance last for ever.

Too dearly loved to be forgotten by his fiancée Cissy Beattie, of 12, Derby Lane, Old Swan (late of Seacombe).”

Magnus was also touchingly remembered on the second anniversary of his death in 1918:

“In loving memory of Magnus (Pals), youngest son of Mary and the late William Manson, killed in action July 30, 1916.  (Never forgotten by his Mother, Sisters, and Brothers.) - 192, Beresford Road.

  It may be a soldier’s honour 

    For his country’s cause to fall; 

  But we cannot think of the glory

    For the pain it has caused us all.”

“In loving memory of Magnus Manson (Pals), killed in action July 30, 1916. - Sadly missed by Cissy.

  By and by, when shadows deepen

    And the call comes down the line,

 Saviour grant that I may meet him,

    O, the welcome boy of mine.”

In 1919 his mother provided information on Magnus’ living relatives: She was at 192 Beresford Road with Christina, 42, Barbara, 34, and Annie, 28.  Thomas, 40, and John, 31, both married, and William, 36, lived in Liverpool. 

His brother William served in the war as an Engineer in the Merchant Marine and was serving in WW2 until he died of heart failure in 1943.

His mother died in 1925 aged 74.

Magnus is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Liverpool’s Hall of Remembrance, Panel 18

Liverpool Stock Exchange 

Liverpool Institute School

Crawford’s Biscuits, Liverpool

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