Pte 17454 Richard Rimmer

• Age: 30
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• Died Tuesday 13th June 1916
• Commemorated at: Westburn Cem, Cambuslang, Sco
  Panel Ref: 4811

Richard Rimmer was born in Liverpool in early 1886 and baptised in St. Catherine's Church, Edge Hill on 02^nd June 1886. His parents, Richard Rimmer and his wife Elizabeth (nee Cawson), both born in Liverpool, were married in St. Paul’s Church, Kirkdale North Shore in 1872. The baptismal certificate shows the family were living at 65 St. Arnaud Street, his father is a joiner. They had 11 children, but tragically, 7 of them died.  The eldest brother Henry lived into his twenties at least, but died leaving Richard as the only son. The remaining siblings were sisters Alice, Elizabeth, and Ellen.

The 1891 Census finds the family living at 65 St Arnaud Street, Edge Hill. His father Richard is aged 39 and a joiner,  whilst mother Elizabeth is aged 36. Their children are listed as; Henry aged 13 and a pork shop boy, Richard aged 4, Alice  aged 3, and Elizabeth aged 6 months (all born Liverpool). Also present is  Elizabeth Rigg aged 69 (his grandmother).

The 1901 Census shows that the family are still living at 65 St Arnaud Street. Father, Richard is now aged 49 and is still a joiner, mother Elizabeth is now aged 45. Their children are shown as; Henry aged 22 a drapers assistant, Richard aged 14 and a cabinet makers apprentice, Alice is 12, Elizabeth 10, and Ellen 8.

By the tine of the 1911 Census the family have moved and are now living at 34 Mulliner Street, Smithdown Road, Liverpool. Father, Richard is a 59 year old  joiner for the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, mother Elizabeth  is 55. They advise that they have been married for 37 years and have had 11 children, seven of whom have died. All four surviving children are in the household; Richard 24 cabinet maker/shop fitter, Alice 22 bread shop manageress, Elizabeth 20, Ellen 18.

Richard enlisted in Liverpool on 14^th September 1914, as Private 17454, joining the 19^th Battalion (Pals) of The King’s Liverpool Regiment, giving his age as 28 years and 250 days, and his occupation as fitter. He was described as being 5’7” tall, weighing 113 lbs, with grey eyes and brown hair.  He stated his religion as Wesleyan, and gave his next of kin as his father.

Formed on 07^th September 1914 the 19^th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th 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.

Richard shipped to France with his battalion, arriving at Boulogne on 07^th November 1915.  

On 26^th January 1916 Richard was sent to a Field Ambulance, sick, and rejoined his unit on the 28^th.  In January, the Pals battalions take up positions south of the Somme line near Carnoy. In May they are in trenches near Maricourt.  At the end of the month the Pals battalions move to Abbeville for specialist training in readiness for the ‘Big Push’.  Then in May they are in the trenches at Maricourt.

On 02^nd June the battalion was relieved and marched to Bois de Celestine, then set out for Vaux en Amienois. They entrained at Heilly Station and arrived at Ailly Sur Somme via Amiens.  The battalion marched from there and arrived at Vaux at 7.10 p.m.  On 3^rd they were in billets and on 4^th June practiced attack morning and afternoon.  On 4^th June Richard was sent to a Field Ambulance and admitted to the Casualty Clearing Station with nephritis the next day, and from there to the Australian Hospital in Rouen on 06^th June.  He was  evacuated, with debility, to the U.K. on 09^th June on the Hospital Ship “St. Andrew”, arriving at Cambuslang War Hospital near Glasgow on the 10^th.  His service papers state the diagnosis as ‘acute nephritis’. 

Richard died on 13^th June 1916, aged 30. The official cause of death is syncope, which could be due to sudden cardiac arrest. (Syncope is loss of consciousness usually related to insufficient blood flow to the brain).  

The day after his death Major Brown, R.A.M.C., Officer in Charge, Cambuslang War Hospital, wrote to Preston records:

“I have the honour to report that  No.17454 Private Rimmer, Richard, 19^th Liverpool Regiment, was admitted to Cambuslang War Hospital on Saturday 10^th inst., at 11 p.m., having been transferred from Southampton on Ambulance Train No.22.  He was admitted to the Australian Hospital at Rouen about ten days previously suffering from Nephritis.  This diagnosis was verified here and the necessary treatment had been begun.  At 8.20 a.m. on 13^th inst. Private Rimmer died suddenly from syncope.  I am of the opinion that the disease which caused his death was contracted during Military Service.”  

On 15^th July 1916 the War Office informed the Regimental Paymaster, Preston, that, “It has been decided that the disease which caused the death of No.17454 Private Richard Rimmer, 19^th Battalion, Liverpool Regiment, was contracted on active service.” And therefore Richard was entitled to a military gravestone and his family was entitled to a war pension.

Richard was buried in Cambuslang (Westburn) Cemetery, Lanarkshire, Scotland, where his headstone bears the epitaph: 

 “PEACE PERFECT PEACE”

There are 61 First World War burials in the Cemetery.

Richard earned his three medals. These, and his effects went to his father, still at 34 Mulliner Street.

His parents placed a notice in the Liverpool Echo on 18^th June 1916: 

 “June 13, at Cambuslang War Hospital, near Glasgow, aged 30 years, Pte. Richard Rimmer, 19^th King’s Liverpool Regiment, dearly beloved only son of Richard and Elizabeth Rimmer, 34 Mulliner Street. A light has from our household gone, A voice we loved is stilled; A place lies vacant in our hearts, Which never can be filled.”

And on the anniversary of his death one year later,

“In loving memory of Private Richard Rimmer (K.L.R.), only son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Rimmer, 34 Mulliner Street, who died in Cambuslang War Hospital, June 13, 1916.  (Gone, but not forgotten by all at home.)

Soldiers Effects to his father Richard, and Pension to mother Elizabeth and father.

His mother died in the June quarter of 1930, aged 74, his father died in the March quarter of 1932, aged 80. 

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