Pte 17706 James Rowland Rymer

• Age: 18
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Friday 30th June 1916
• Commemorated at: Cerisy-gailly Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.L.10

James Rowland Rymer was born on the 23rd November 1897, the eldest of eight children born to William Henry Rymer, an insurance broker born in Gloucestershire, and his wife Florence Catherine (née Rowlands) of Liverpool. They were married in 1897, registered at West Derby. James was baptised on the 13th July 1898 at Emmanuel, Everton, his father an insurance agent of 16 Rockwood Street. 

In 1901 the family lived at ‘Rosslyn’, 58 Richmond Park, Liverpool, when William is described as a livestock insurance broker owning his own business. He and Catherine, who was born in 1876, have two children - James Rowland and an unnamed child only 5 days old who was almost certainly his younger brother, William Beresford Rymer. They employed a local 22 year old girl as a Lady’s Companion.

Florence bore another 4 children before she died in 1909.

In 1911, William Henry, is a 39 year old widower and a Marine & General insurance broker on his own account, living at 87 Merton Road ,Bootle, with five of his children - James Beresford (1901-1919); Henry George (1903-1975); John Herbert (1904-1982); and Bessie born 1906. Another son, Rowland, was born in 1908 and was staying with his Gloucester born Auntie, Mrs Annie Day, at 29 Gt George Place. Again, the family employs a servant.  

In 1915, his father, William, married Annie V. O’Keeffe, in Liverpool and they were to have 4 children of their own. The marriage record is probably mis-transcribed as the only birth is for Annie May.  

On 04^th September 1914 at Liverpool James Rowland Rymer enlisted, joining the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 17706, giving his age as 19 years 105 days (which would mean that he claimed to have been born in 1895 not 1897), his occupation as clerk and his next of kin as his father of 87 Merton Road. He was 5 feet five and three quarter inches tall, weighed 112lbs, with a 34” chest, he had a sallow complexion, brown eyes, black hair. He stated his religion as Church of England. 

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. 

On 10^th July 1915, at Belton Park, he was given 7 days CB and forfeited 2 days pay for attempting to break out of barracks; breaking out of barracks and being absent without leave for 12 hours.

On 27^th August 1915 he was given 4 days CB for not complying with an order and being absent from the 6.45am parade.

He remained in the UK until 20^th January 1916 (although his service records attributes only 137 days service instead of 1 year 137 days) when he embarked aboard SS ‘Onwards’ for Etaples where he joined the roll of reinforcements.

On 14^th February 1916 he joined up with his unit, 19^th Battalion, and on 30^th June 1916 was killed in action.

In the new year the Pals battalions take up positions in the south of the Somme line, near Carnoy, and by the end of April are in the front line near Maricourt.  The last week in May they move out of the line to Abbeville for specialist training for the ‘Big Push’.  The opening day of the British bombardment for the coming Battle of the Somme is 24^th June. According to the battalion war diary, the bombardment continues, with occasional casualties, and on the 28^th the battalion is relieved by the 20^th K.L.R. and moves to Bray.

On the 30^th June the battalion moves, in small parties, to its battle position, commencing at 3.30 a.m. behind Z.1.  Nos. 21780 Pte Griffiths, 17706 Pte Rymer, and 17635 Pte Lipton, are killed in action.

James was buried close to where he fell in Maricourt Military Cemetery and his grave marked with a cross.  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 where he now rests.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo dated 11th July 1916 -

KILLED IN ACTION

RYMER - Killed in action, aged 18, James Rowland Rymer, Merton House, Merton-road, Bootle (Liverpool “Pals”).

His Soldiers Effects, Army Pay of £3 0s 7d, and £8 War Gratuity went to father William, no pension record has been found.   

In July 1920, a sworn declaration showed his immediate family as his father, William Henry, living at 16 Brasenose Road, Bootle, and his mother as Florence Katherine, who was of course deceased although this is not apparent from the declaration. There are also three brothers listed - Harry George, Jack (John Herbert), Rowland, and 2 half-brothers - Frederick, 3 years, and George, 2 years, who are presumably the sons of William’s second wife. All live with William Henry in Brasenose Road.

James Rowland earned the Victory and British War Medals, which were sent to his father in 1921. 

On the 1921 Census at 16 Brasenose Road, Bootle, his father, William, is aged 51, a forage contractor, Henry G. is aged 18, and Bess is aged 14. Stepmother Annie, is aged 27, born Liverpool, is found on the Isle of Man, at Foxdale Road, Malew. With her are James Herbert aged 16, Florence Mary aged 4, Frederick William aged 3, George Reville aged 2, and Reginald aged 6 months. 

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