Pte 51667 Joseph Schola

• Age: 19
• From: Bryn, Lancs
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• D.O.W Monday 13th November 1916
• Commemorated at: Warlincourt Halte Brit Cem
  Panel Ref: III.E.11

Joseph Schola was born on the 05th February 1897 in Leigh, and was the son of John Andrew Schola and his wife Mary Ann (nee Atherton), their marriage was registered in Prescot in 1883. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 8 Plank Lane, Leigh. Joseph is declared to be 4 years of age and is living with his parents and two elder sisters. His father is aged 39 and is a colliery fireman (below ground) born in Liverpool in 1862, whilst his mother, aged 34, was born in Blackrod, Lancashire in 1867. His elder sister Agnes is 9 and was born in Prescot in 1892 whilst Lucy aged 6 was born in Bryn in 1895.   

Joseph was educated at Plank Lane Methodist School, Leigh and Leigh Grammar school.

The 1911 Census shows the family have moved to 37 Platt Street, Leigh. Both parents are present in the household, his father John is aged 52, still a colliery fireman, mother Mary Ann is aged 46 and they declared that they had been married for 26 years. They have had six children and three had sadly died. Those children listed in the household are; Lucy aged 16, born 1895 and Joseph aged 14, born 1897 are both at school. Agnes had left the home by the time of the 1911 Census.

Joseph enlisted in Liverpool as Rifleman 5125 joining the 6th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment (Liverpool Rifles). He embarked from Folkestone-Boulogne on 19th July 1916, reaching the 24th Infantry Base Depot on 20th July. He proceeded to 11th Entrenching Battalion on 02nd August and proceeded to the 17th Battalion K.L.R. on 05th August and was posted from 05th September 1916 to the 17th Battalion K.L.R. as Private No 51667 

He died of wounds on the 13th November 1916, aged 19, during the Somme Offensive.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Daily Post on 25^th November 1916 under the header:

 "Liverpool Student Killed"

"The Leigh Grammar School teachers and scholars have heard with the deepest regret of the death in France, from wounds, of Private Joseph Schola, King's Liverpool Regiment, formerly of Platt-street, Leigh. The deceased boy, who had only just turned 19, was one of the most brilliant scholars ever connected with the Leigh Grammar School. He won numerous prizes at the school for science, and as a chemistry student was almost unsurpassed. He concluded his scholastic career by winning an open scholarship tenable at Liverpool University, and went there in October of last year, and joined the Officers' Training Corps there. His parents went from Leigh to reside at Liverpool when he went to the University. Two of his sisters are engaged in the teaching profession there. About twelve of the Leigh Grammar School scholars have now made the great sacrifice".

A further newspaper report gave the following:

Former Grammar School Student Killed

"A promising career has been cut short by the death from wounds received in France on November 13^th of Pte. Joe Schola of the King’s Liverpools. Pte Schola who was 20 years of age, was a former pupil of Leigh Grammar School where in the words of Mr Leek, Headmaster he “was one of their most brilliant scholars.” About twelve months ago he won an open scholarship and proceeded to Liverpool University as a science student where Sir Alfred Dale the principle, in conversation with his former headmaster prophesied a great future for him. He was a member of the cadets at Leigh Grammar school, and the O.T.C. at Liverpool University. His mother now resides at 134 Upper Canning St, Liverpool".      

Joseph now rests at Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, France. The inscription on his headstone reads:

“R.I.P”

The site of the cemetery was chosen in May 1916. It was used from June 1916 to May 1917 by the 20th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations, in February 1917 by the 1/1st South Midland, and from April to June 1917 by the 32nd. The whole of plots VII, VIII, IX and X were filled in April and May 1917, the months of the Battles of Arras. From June 1917, the cemetery was practically unused until the fighting of May and June 1918, when field ambulances buried in it. After the Armistice the cemetery was increased by graves brought in from other small military cemeteries:-

The cemetery now contains 1,266 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There are also 29 German and two French war graves.

The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden.

Soldiers Effects and Pension to his mother Mary Ann.

Joseph is also commemorated on the family headstone at Yew Tree Cemetery, Liverpool and on the following Memorials:

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 40

St Anne’s R.C. Church, Edge-Hill

Leigh Grammar School

Liverpool University.

His mother died on 28th September 1922, aged 56.

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