Pte 15831 Theodore William Sutton Neame

• Age: 19
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Wednesday 21st June 1916
• Commemorated at: Cerisy-gailly Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.L.3

Theodore William Sutton Neame (known as Sutton) was born in late 1896 or early 1897 in Liverpool, the eldest of five children born to Theodore, an insurance clerk, and his wife Jessie Jeanette (nee Perry). His father was born in Rock Ferry, Cheshire, and his mother in Liverpool. Theodore and Jeannette were married on 02nd September 1895 at St Mary's Church, Walton on the Hill. The four younger children were Nina, born 1903; Arthur Ronald, born 1905; Harold Overend, born 1906; and Margaret, born 1911.

At the time of the 1901 Census the family are living at 28 Oxford Road, Waterloo. His father, 30, is a marine insurance clerk, his mother is 25, and Theodore is 4.  Also in the household is a visitor Sarah O. Perry, 26, and a domestic servant.

In 1911 the family have moved and are living at 20 Hyde Road, Waterloo. His father,Theodore, is a 40 year old who  was employed as a clerk in marine insurance, his mother is 35 years of age. They advise that they have been married for 15 years and have had four children all of whom have survived. Theodore, as he is shown is 14 years of age, Nina M. is 8, Arthur ROnald is 6 and Harold Overend is 5. Also declared are a visitor, Sarah jane Perry, most likely his mother's sister and a genereal domestic servant; Alice Butcher, aged 40.   

His sister Nina died shortly after the census, at the age of 8.

Before enlisting, Sutton worked for the Union Marine Insurance Company, which later became Phoenix Assurance.

He enlisted at St. George's Hall in Liverpool as Private No 15831 joining the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment.

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. He arrived in France on 07^th November 1915.

His father Theodore Snr died on 01st May 1915 at Glendower, College Road, Gt. Crosby age 45. He was the youngest son of T.W.S.Neame Paymaster Chief R.N. the funeral was at St Lukes Church, Crosby.

Sutton was killed in action on 21st June 1916, aged 19, during the build-up towards the Battle of the Somme.

He was buried close to where he fell in Maricourt Military Cemetery.  The cemetery was at the south-east corner of the village, on the road to Clery. It was begun by French troops in December, 1914, and was known to the French by the name of Ferme Caudron.  It was taken over by British troops in August, 1915, and used until July 1916.  After the war when graves were concentrated his body was removed and reinterred in Cerisy-Gailly Cemetery, France, where he now rests. 

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 08th July 1916

–Neame – June 21 killed in the trenches by a shell aged 19 years Private Sutton Neame (Kings Liverpool Regt.) Eldest son of the late Theodore Neame & Mrs. Neame, 6 Mersey View, Blundellsands.

His death was also reported in the Southport Visitor on 22nd July 1916

"Eldest son of the late Mr. Theodore Neame and Mrs Neame of 6 Mersey View, Blundellsands. Private Neame died on June 21st in the trenches from a shell. Although only 17 and a half years of age, nothing would keep him back and on the first day of recruiting for the "Pals" he, in the company of others from his office (the Union Marine Insurance Company) were among the first to enlist. He trained at Knowsley, Grantham and Salisbury Plain before accompanying the "Pals" to France in Christmas 1915 where he remained".    

Soldiers Effects and Pension to his mother Jessie Jeanette Neame.

His Army Effects (showing date of death as 21st June), and a War Gratuity of £8 went to his mother.  The pension card, showing date of death 20th June, in the name of his mother at 38 College Road, Great Crosby, shows "Refusal No.P.D.".  Notations on the pension ledger show application for arrears, dated 1924.  Her address is later shown as c/o Mrs. Sargent, 57 Parkfield Road, Sefton Park.

Probate for TSutton of 6 Mersey View, Blundellsands says he died 21st June 1916 and £106.6.8d was left to his mother, Jeannette Overend Neame.

When CWGC corresponded with his mother regarding his headstone she was living at 1A King Street, Wrexham.

Sutton is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

St Nicholas Church War Memorial, Blundellsands

Great Crosby and Blundellsands Memorial

Liverpool's Hall of Remembrance, Panel 19

Phonenix Staff WW1 Plaque, National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire  

His mother died in 1932, aged 58.