Pte 27530 William John Nickson

• Age: 21
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• D.O.W Saturday 13th May 1916
• Commemorated at: Bray Mill Cem
  Panel Ref: I.A.10

William John was born in Liverpool in the summer quarter of 1894 the son of William Nickson and his wife Alice (nee Bell). His parents married in 1886 at St Michael's Church, Toxteh. He was baptised on 16th August 1894 at St Mary's Church Kirkdale.

The 1901 Census finds the family are living at 40 Rembrandt Street, Everton. His father, William, is a 39 year old railway porter, whilst his mother Alice is aged 34. They live with their six children; George 13, Jonathon 10, Mary A. 9, William J. 6, Annie 3 and Ethel 9 months (all born Liverpool).

The 1911 Census shows that the family have moved to 23 Rubens Street, Everton. Father, William, is now aged 49 and still employed as a railway porter,  mother Alice is aged 44. They advise that they have been married for 24 years and have had 8 children, all of whom are declared in the household and are listed as; George 23 a jewellers assistant, Jonathon 20 junior clerk, Mary Alice 19 fancy box maker, William John 16 grocers assistant, Annie 13 at school, Ethel 10 at school, Edward Alexender 8 at school, Harold Robert 5 at school.

William enlisted in Liverpool joining as Private 27530 in the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment.

He died of wounds on 13th May 1916, aged 21.

A newspaper article under the header “Duty Well Done” details a letter to his mother by his Captain: 

“The knowledge that your son met his death in the battlefield of action, where his duty was always performed may lessen the blow in some small degree”.

William’s death was reported in the Liverpool Echo 19//5/1916

- DIED FROM WOUNDS – NICKSON –

May 15 of wounds received in action age 21 years, Private William J Nickson, Kings Liverpool. Dearly beloved third son of Mr & Mrs W Nickson of 23 Rubens Street, Everton. Requiem Eucharist at St Chad’s Everton tomorrow (Saturday) at 8am. Jesu the very thought of Thee, with sweetness fills my breast, but sweeter far Thy face to see and in Thy presence rest.

William John is buried in Bray Military Cemetery, Grave I A 10.

Bray-sur-Somme is a village about 9 kilometres south east of Albert.

The cemetery was begun in April 1916 by fighting units and field ambulances. In September 1916, the front line having been pushed further east, it was used by the XIV Corps Main Dressing Station and in 1917 the 5^th, 38^th and 48^th Casualty Clearing Stations came forward and used it. In March 1918, the village fell into German hands, but was retaken by the 40^th Australian Battalion on 24^th August, and during the next few days the cemetery was used again.

After the Armistice, graves were brought into Plot1, Rows A1 and B1, and Plot II, Rows J and K, from battlefields immediately north and south of the village. In 1924, further isolated graves (Plot III) were brought in.

The cemetery now contains 874 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 127 of which are unidentified. The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield. 

William is commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance in Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 63 

His medal card shows only that he earned 2 medals but if he was killed in May 1916 it is likely that he qualified for all three medals.

His mother Alice received his Army effects and a War Gratuity of £3 (indicating that William had served no more than one year when he was killed).  She was awarded a pension of 8/- a week from September 1917.

His mother died around 1929 as she did not appear in the Liverpool Electoral Register in 1929-30.

His father died in the December quarter of 1943, aged 81. 

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