L/Cpl 23109 Edward McLaren (MM)

• Age: 26
• From: Crosby
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 8th September 1917
• Commemorated at: Torreken Farm
  Panel Ref: E.6

Edward McLaren was born in 1891 at Liverpool and was the son of  Edward Septimus McLaren and his wife Margaret Mary (nee Doyle) of 38 Upper Warwick Street, Princes Park. His parents married on 07th January 1889 at Our Lady of Lourdes and St Bernard Church, Liverpool.  

The 1891 Census shows the family living at Rossett Road, Great Crosby, Lancashire. His father, Edward, is aged 25, born in Rock Ferry in 1866 is living by his own means, his mother, Margaret, is also aged 25, born in 1866 in Ireland and has no occupation listed. They have two children at the time of the Census who were both born in Crosby, Margaret aged 1, born 1890 and Edward born 1891. They also have two domestic servants Sarah Rowlands aged 18, born 1873 and her sister Florence aged 14, born 1877, who were born in Liverpool. 

His father, Edward, died on the 16^th February 1897.

The 1901 Census shows the family are spread. His mother, Margaret, is a "visitor" aged 35 and employed as a ships stewardess, living at 80 Mulgrave Street, Toxteth, her daughter Margaret is at a Catholic Convent School, aged 11. There is no trace of Edward. 

He enlisted on the 10th November 1914 at Liverpool, joining the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 23109. He  gave his age 23 years and 11 months and his occupation as a farmer. He was described as being five feet six inches tall, weighed 135lbs, with a fresh complexion, 37” chest,  with blue eyes and brown hair. He stated his religion as Roman Catholic. 

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th 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. 

Two cases of absenteeism at Knowsley and Grantham 1915, C.B 2 days and 14 days.

07.11.15: Embarked for France with his battalion.

21.12.16: 14 days F.P. No2 for drunkeness.

23.3.17: Appointed unpaid Lance Corporal.

12.4.17: Appointed paid Lance Corporal.

15.6.17: Military Medal (MM) awarded and recorded 18.6.17 in the London Gazette.

19-29.7.17: On Leave.

He was serving as a Lance Corporal when he was killed in action on the 08^th September 1917, aged 26.

He now lrests at Torreken Farm Cemetery.

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 death was featured in the Liverpool Echo on 17th September 1917:

MCLAREN - In memory of Lance Corporal E.McLaren MM, King's Liverpool Regiment - Greatly missed by his chum George (wounded) and Joe and Will (in France). 

It was also reported in the Liverpool Post on 05th October 1917:

MCLAREN - Killed in action, Lance Corporal Edward McLaren M.M., K.L.R., son of the late Edward S. McLaren and grandson of the late John H. McLaren.

Soldiers Effects and Pension to his mother Margaret. 

Personal items returned to Mrs Margaret McLaren at 44 Upper Warwick St included 1 letter of congratulations, photos, pocket book, identity disc.

Edward's loss was the second that the family had to endure as his brother, Bernard who served with 2nd Battalion of the Black Watch fell on the 18^th May 1915, aged 19. He is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial in France. 

Edward is also commemorated on Liverpool Town Hall Memorial at Panel 22 but his MM needs to be added.

His brother Bernard is also commemorated at Panel 22. 

His sister, Margaret (nee McLaren) Leslie, Raddlesdown Road, Purley, Surrey, wrote a letter asking where his "memorial death mat" had gone.

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