Capt Arthur de Bells Adam (MC)
1885 - 1916

CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916

Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916

Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916

Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918

Cpl 28345 William Metcalf

Age: 35
From: Carnforth, Lancashire
Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
K.I.A Friday 22nd March 1918
Commemorated at: Chapelle Brit Cem, Holnon
Panel Ref: II.H.4

There are a lot of conflicting records but family name predominantly referred to as Metcalfe whilst his service records and headstone show Metcalf.

William Metcalf was born in Carnforth on 26th March 1883, and baptised at Bolton-le-Sands on May 13th 1883. He was the son of John and Mary Ann (nee Mashiter) Metcalf.

On the baptism record the "e" in Metcalfe is struck out. His parents married in 1868 at Holy Trinity Church, Bolton-Le-Sands ( the surname Masheder is shown on the marriage details).

On the 1891 census the family are living in Over-Kellet, Bolton-le-Sands. William's father, John, is aged 48, a general labourer born in Over Kellet, Lancashire, his mother, Mary Ann is aged 43, born in Slyne. They have four children in the household; Thomas aged 20 is a general labourer born in Capernwray, Alice Ann is aged 10 born in Carnforth, William aged 8, and Elizabeth A. aged 6 also born in Carnforth.

On the 1901 census the family are living on Canal Wharf, Carnforth. His father, John, is aged 58, now shown as a coal dealer, his mother Mary Ann is aged 53. They have three children living at home; Alice Ann 20, William 18 a grocers assistant, Elizabeth A. 16 general servant. Also staying is grand-daughter Ethel Alice E. age 2mths, and mother's brother Roger Mashiter 50 a gravel road labourer b.Bolton-le-Sands.

On the 1911 census William is not with the family at 10 North Road, Carnforth. His father, John, is a 68 year old general farm labourer, his mother Mary Ann is 63. They have been married for 43 years and have had seven children, all of whom have survived. They have one child living at home with them, Thomas aged 40 is a widower employed as a railway labourer he also has his three children in the household. A family member Roger Mashiter 59 is boarding with them.

William enlisted in Liverpool and served in the 1st, 11th, 17th and 19th Battalions of the King's Liverpool Regiment.

He married, (name showing as Metcalfe), Lucy Annie Gascoigne on 04th April 1917 at St Michael's Church, Pembroke. On the marriage certificate he advised that he was a Private in the King's Liverpool Regiment based at Bangeston Camp, Cosheston, Pembrokeshire. Lucy was born 14th December 1887, in St.Mary, Pembrokeshire. They had one child born after William's death; Margaret Hermione Metcalfe whowas born on 04th August 1918 and whose birth was registered in Neath.

William was listed as wounded in the Weekly Casualty List dated 18th September 1917:

King's Liverpool Regiment - Metcalf 28345 M. (Pembroke)

He sent a "Souvenir From France" Christmas card to Lucy

"To My Dear Wife

wishing you a Merry Christmas

and hope you are in the Pink

from your loving husband Will"

William was serving with the 17th Battalion as Corporal 28345 when was killed in action on the 22^nd March 1918, aged 35, during the German Spring Offensive.

The German Spring Offensive (Operation Michael), the German push to end the war, begins on 21st March. The Pals battalions, in Corps Reserve, receive orders at 5 a.m. to man battle stations.

At the time of his death on 22nd March, the 17th Battalion had been ordered to the defence of the area around Atilly, to try to counter the rapid German advance. At 6.30 am ’D’ Company was sent to help the 2/5th Battalion The Gloucestershire Regiment to counter attack the Germans in the area of Holnon Wood, which it did successfully. Four hours later, the Battalion was ordered to move to a position know as Aviation Wood, to join the Headquarters of the 21st Brigade, but because of heavy shellfire, this move took four hours, and by the time the 17th Battalion had got there, the HQ and staff of the Brigade had gone. Then, as the Germans were making a strong attack at nearby Flesquires, the Battalion deployed around the wood. Eventually at 18.30 orders were received that all 30th Division troops had to withdraw to Ham, and the Battalion accordingly pulled back, reaching the town at around 21.30.

William now rests at Chappelle British Cemetery, Holnon.

Holnon village and wood were the scene of heavy fighting between the 6th Division and the enemy on the 14th-19th September, 1918.

Chapelle British Cemetery, named from a wayside shrine, was made after the Armistice, by the concentration of graves of 1917-18 from the battlefields West of St. Quentin and from HOLNON COMMUNAL and FRENCH MILITARY CEMETERIES.

There are now over 600, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, over 250 are unidentified and special memorials are erected to 17 soldiers, known or believed to be buried here. Other special memorials record the names of four United Kingdom soldiers, buried in Holnon Communal Cemetery, whose graves were destroyed by shell fire.

The cemetery covers an area of 2,063 square metres and is enclosed by a low rubble wall.

SDGW shows that William resided in Port Talbot.

Soldiers Effects and Pension to widow Lucy Annie and child Margaret Hermione.

His widow Lucy remarried in 1921 to Richard Selway Davies in Neath. She had 2 more children; David R. Davies born in the September quarter of 1924 and Owain G. Davies born in the September quarter of 1925.

A death for Mary A Metcalfe was registered in the March quarter of 1918 in Lancaster, aged 67, this is likely to be his mother. There is no positive record of his father, John's, death.

Lucy died in 1952, aged 63.

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

Killed On This Day.

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
L/Cpl 29203 Valentine Alexander
26 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 27948 Joseph Atherton
26 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 51896 Richard Edward Banks
34 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 46630 Watson Bell
38 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Lieut Roland Henry Brewerton
27 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 51708 Charles Norman Dod
21 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
L/Cpl 94246 Frank Emison
24 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 23056 John William Jones
27 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 49572 John Henry Leadbeater (MM)
27 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Sgt 22462 James Lowe (MID)
25 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 51712 Edgar Domenico Murray
21 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 269899 Harry Pitts
21 years old

A total of 14 Pals were killed on this day. View All