Pte 24383 Daniel Francis Ney

• Age: 30
• From: Bootle, Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 1st July 1916
• Commemorated at: Peronne Rd Cem Maricourt
  Panel Ref: I.A.33

24383 Private Daniel NEY, 20^th Battalion KLR.

Daniel Francis Ney was born at Bootle in 1885 and was baptised at St.James' R.C. Church. He was the son of Patrick Ney and Mary (nee Ney) both parents were born in Galway, Ireland. The three eldest Ney children, Bartholomew, Andrew Francis, and Patrick Joseph were born at Boston, U.S.A. in 1872, 1874 and 1876. The family then returned to Ireland where a fourth son, Joseph, was born in 1878. Mary Nay was born at Bootle in 1881 and when the census was taken she was 2 months old and living with her parents and four older brothers at 3 Bond Place, Bootle. Patrick Nay was working at the gas works and he was still employed there in 1911 by which time he was seventy years old.

1901 Census: 29 Chestnut Grove, Bootle - Parents with children Andrew (Born USA) Joseph (Born Ireland) Mary, John, Daniel, George, Thomas and Elizabeth Agnes (All born Bootle).Elizabeth Agnes died at 29 Chestnut Grove in 1905 and was buried in the family grave at Ford R.C. Cemetery (2a 24)

1911 Census: 3 Malvern Road, Bootle - Parents with children John, Mary and Thomas. According to the 1911 Census his parents had been married for 41 years.

Daniel Francis was married to Ellen Massam in March quarter 1911 in the West Derby Registration district.

In the 1911 Census he and his wife are living at 14 Middlesex Road, Bootle. Daniel was a Commercial clerk. His wife lived at 167 Hornby Road, Bootle after the war.

Daniel enlisted in Liverpool on 7th January 1915 joining the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 24383 at which time he had been employed by the Bryant & May match company and crossed to France on an unknown date in 1916 as part of a reinforcement draft.

20th Battalion 

Formed in November 1914 the 20th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29th 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.

He was killed in action on 1^st July 1916 aged 30 during the attack at Montauban.

He now lies in Peronne Road Cemetery where the Inscription on his headstone reads:

"THY WILL BE DONE" 

20^th Battalion Diary

Maricourt

Zero Hour 7.30am.  After 65 minutes intensive bombardment the Battalion advanced to the attack of the German trenches. The Battalion advanced in four lines each of the two leading Companies on a frontage of 2 platoons – No’s 1 & 2 Companies (in that order from the right) leading. No.3 Company in the 3^rd wave. No.4 Company in the 4^th wave. There being a distance of about 100 yards between each line. The lines advanced through the enemy’s artillery fire as though on parade in quick time. The leading waves went on without a pause to Alt Trench and Casement Trench which were secured at (time not stated) am. The casualties up to this being small. Our barrage lifting Dublin Trench (the 1^st Objective) was captured and consolidation immediately proceeded with. Captain Whiting with the 3^rd wave entrenching about 150 yards in the rear. Captain Robinson was wounded and No.2 Company was commanded during the day by Lt C P Moore. Casualties up to now were killed 2 officers – 1 wounded and 49 other ranks casualties killed and wounded. At 11.50 am orders were received for the assault of the Briqueterie. The Battalion operation orders for this were issued from NW of Germans Wood. Our barrage lifted at 12,30 pm and No. 4 Company under Captain E C Orford assisted by a section of bombers under 2^nd Lt Baker who went up Nord Alley and Chimney Trench to secure his left flank, who had got right forward under cover of the fire of our guns rushed it almost without opposition. On the far side a party of the enemy were found in deep dug-outs. They brough a machine gun into action and some close fighting ensued in which Lt Gooch and Lt Williams were wounded. Opposition was however speedily overcome and the garrison consisting of the H.Q. of a Regt, one Colonel and 4 other officers – 40 rank and file , 2 machine guns together with maps, orders, documents and material fell into our hands. Steps were immediately taken for consolidating the ground won, which however owing to the destruction wrought by our “heavies” was a matter of great difficulty, what had been trenches being almost unrecognisable as such and the earth so pulverised that cover could only be made by aid of sandbags. The garrison was heavily shelled through the afternoon and most of the night and casualties were many. Battalion H.Q. were at the junction of Glatz Alley and Casement Trench north west of Germans Wood and this together with Dublin Trench received considerable attention from enemy guns. Casualties during the day 2 officers killed (2^nd Lts F Barnes and JC Laughlin) and 3 wounded (Captain H H Robinson, Lt S Gooch and 2^nd Lt F J Williams). 75 other ranks killed and wounded.

Liverpool Echo dated 16th July, 1916.

Ney- July 1, killed in action, Private Daniel Francis (Dan) Ney (Pals), dearly-beloved husband of Ellen Ney, 167, Hornby Road, Bootle. R.I.P. - Deeply mourned by his sorrowing wife and child. 

Ney- July 1, killed in action, Private Daniel Francis) Ney, dearly-loved sixth son of Mr. and Mrs. Ney, 27 Middlesex Road, Bootle. Mourned by Father, Mother Brothers, and Sister.  

Ney- July 1, killed in action, D.F. (Dan) Ney (Pals), the dearly loved son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. J Massam. ( "Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends")  

Ney- July 1, killed in action, Private D.F. Ney (Dan) Pals, our dearly loved brother-in-law. - Will, Lillie and Harold. 

A report on his death appeared in the Bootle Times on the 28th July 1916.

WELL-KNOWN ENTERTAINER KILLED

Many friends will learn with regret that Pte. Dan Ney, King's Liverpool Regiment ("Pals"), was killed in action on July 1st. He went to France the first week in this year. Pte. Ney, who had been thirteen years on the office staff of Messrs. Bryant and May, Ltd., was well known throughout the district as an entertainer and descriptive vocalist. Naturally, he was a valued member of the concert formed by the "Pals" when out in France. Mrs. Ney has received the sub-joined letter from the officer: -

"It is with the deepest regret that I write to tell you of the death of your husband. He was killed instantaneously by a machine gun bullet at the beginning of the recent advance. We feel his loss deeply here, as he was one of he cheeriest men I have ever met. He was a member of our concert party, and though he had not been out here as long as some, he had already made himself popular with everyone. - In deepest sympathy, yours sincerely, B.E. Melly."

Private Ney's brother, Corporal "Jack" Ney, of the same regiment, has been wounded, and is now in a London hospital. He was shot through the lower jaw, but is now progressing favourably.

Daniel's brothers Thomas and John also joined the King's Liverpool Regiment.

Thomas enlisted in the 18^th Battalion as Private 29615 in Liverpool on 25^th May 1915, giving his age as 23 years 6 months, his occupation as clerk and home address as 27 Middlesex Road. Less than one week later he was discharged on the 31st May as "not likely to become an efficient soldier." 

John enlisted on the 3rd September 1915 and was discharged on 26th April 1917 the as the result of wounds received in action. He was issued with a silver war badge which he could wear to show that he was a discharged soldier.

Daniel's nephew, Albert Patrick, the son of Bartholomew Ney and his wife Teresa (nee Wafer) enlisted on the 30th October 1915, aged nineteen. He served with the Seaforth Highlanders (no S/13233) and the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (21317) and contracted Malaria and developed Broncho-Pneumonia as the result of his service in the Middle East and India. He was discharged from the army in March 1919 with a 'pension' of 5s 6d for twelve months.

Albert married Margaret Roach in 1923 and had two sons and one daughter, Yvonne Marie. Albert Patrick Ney and Yvonne Marie Ney were killed in the May Blitz. On the night of the 7th-8th May 1940 they were in the Co-operative Shelter at 340 Stanley Road, Bootle when it took a direct hit. Albert was killed instantly and his daughter died in hospital the following day, aged nine.

Daniel's father died at 76 Gray Street, Bootle in 1932 aged ninety-one. His mother died the following year aged eighty-three.

Daniel Francis Ney is commemorated on the following local memorials

Bootle Civic Memorials

St.James' R.C. Church, Bootle

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall Panel 19

Bryant & May (Diamond Match Works), Litherland which is now located in the Garden of Remembrance of Litherland Royal British Legion. 

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