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
Pte 16388 William George Mythen
- Age: 20
- From: Liverpool
- Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
- K.I.A Wednesday 28th June 1916
- Commemorated at: Carnoy Mil Cem
Panel Ref: O.23
William George Mythen was born in the third quarter of 1895 and was baptised on the 28th July 1895 at St Bridget’s Church, Wavertree. He was the son of Edward Mythen and Mary Ann Snailum who were married 07th June 1883 at St Mary the Virgin Church, West Derby. Edward was a coachman of Childwall, father Matthew a deceased coachman, whilst Mary was of West Derby, in the father column described as a “natural child” (parents not married yet). He was the youngest of three children with Mary Ellen, born 1884 and Edward John, born 1886.
On the 1901 Census the family lived at 66 Alfred Street, Wavertree. William G. is 5 years of age and lives with his parents and two siblings. His father is a 52 year old general labourer born in Liverpool, whilst his mother is 44 years of age and was born in, Dinton, Wiltshire. His sister Mary E. is 17 years of age whilst his brother Edward John is 15 years of age and is shown as an office boy.
The 1911 Census shows the family living at 22 Cecil Street, Wavertree. Both parents are in the household. His father, Edward, is aged 60 and employed as an electric car cleaner with the City Council, his mother Mary Ann is aged 54. They advise that they have been married for 28 years and have had three children. All of the children are living in the household; Mary Ellen is a 27 year old draper’s assistant, Edward John is a 25 year old chemist’s assistant in the oil trade; and William George is a 15 year old office boy in the grain industry.
On 04th September 1914, William George enlisted at St George's Hall, Liverpool, joining the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private No 16388. He gave his age as 19 years 30 days, his occupation as clerk and his next of kin as his father at 22 Cecil Street. He was described as being 5' 5" inches tall, weighed 119 lbs, with a 34" chest. He had a sallow complexion, with grey eyes and brown hair. He stated his religion as Church of England.
From the 23rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th 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.
He embarked for France with his battalion on the 07th November 1915.
His father, Edward, died aged 68, early in 1916.
William was killed in action on 28th June 1916, aged 20.
The Battalion diary records the following for 27th -28th June 1916:
27th Maricourt
Marched to trenches and took over Z. 2 from 2nd Wilts. Continual bombardment of German trenches - Casualties.
28th Bray
Trenches Z.2. taken over by 2nd Wilts and Battn. proceeded to Bray.
It is highly likely that William was killed in the early hours of 28th June as a result of German shelling as a retaliation to the British shelling of their positions.
William's death was reported in the Liverpool Echo 6th July 1916 and 8th July 1916
MYTHEN – June 28 killed in action aged 20 years No 16388 Private William George Mythen Kings Liverpool Regt. Youngest son of Mary A and the late Edward Mythen of 20 Cecil Street Wavertree.
Also in the Liverpool Daily Post on Monday 24 July 1916:
King’s (Liverpools) - Chadwick, 27334 G. O. (Seacombe); Charlton, 24977, J. (Liverpool); Mythen, 16388, W. G. (Liverpool); Nimmo, 15271, K. P. (Liverpool); Hilton, 16523, J. (Bolton); Worrall, 29268, T. (Liverpool);
William now rests at Carnoy Military Cemetery, France where it bears the epitaph:
"THE SPIRIT SHALL RETURN UNTO GOD WHO GAVE IT"
The cemetery was begun in August 1915, by the 2nd King's Own Scottish Borderers and the 2nd King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, when the village was immediately South of the British front line. It continued in use by troops holding this sector until July 1916, when Field Ambulances came up and a camp was established on the higher ground North of the village. It was closed in March 1917. From March to August 1918, it was in German hands, and German (and a few British) graves were made between the British graves and the entrance, and also in a German Cemetery alongside; but the German graves and the German Cemetery were removed in 1924.
There are now over 850, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, nearly 30 are unidentified and special memorials are erected to 17 soldiers and one airman from the United Kingdom, known or believed to be buried among them.
The cemetery covers an area of 4,441 square metres and is enclosed by a red brick wall.
His family also placed a remembrance notice on the first anniversary of his death in the Liverpool Echo dated 28th June 1917
- Roll of Honour – MYTHEN – In loving remembrance of William George Mythen - Private King's (Pals) Regt. Killed in action in France June 28 1916. Mother, sister and brother.
Also in the Liverpool Daily Post on Saturday 29 June 1918:
MYTHEN – In loving remembrance of WILLIAM GEORGE MYTHEN, Private King’s (Pals) Regiment, killed in action in France, June 28, 1916.
William’s effects and medals were sent to his mother who, in July 1919, completed a sworn declaration stating that her husband was deceased and William’s immediate relatives were herself, his brother Edward John, aged 33 years and living at 24 Isabel Grove, Liverpool and his sister, Mary Ellen, 35 years and still living with her mother at 22 Cecil Street. His personal items returned included: disc, leather calendar, diary, regimental crest, new testament, metal cigarette case, leather wallet, letters and photos, metal watch and chain.
Soldiers Effects, army pay of £2 6s 3d, war gratuity £8, and pension of 5/- pw to mother Mary, 22 Cecil St, Wavertree, increased to 15/- later.
His mother, died aged 77, in 1934.
William is also commemorated on the following Memorials:
Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 19
St Thomas' Church of England Church, Wavertree.
We currently have no further information on William George Mythen, 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
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Pte 27948 Joseph Atherton
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Pte 51896 Richard Edward Banks
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Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 46630 Watson Bell
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(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
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A total of 14 Pals were killed on this day. View All