Pte 31399 William Edward Sinnott

• Age: 27
• From: Alderney
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• Died on Wednesday 4th July 1917
• Commemorated at: Dickebusch New Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.C.29

William Edward Sinnott was born on 29^th April 1890 in Fort Tourgis, Alderney, Channel Islands, the son of Patrick Joseph Sinnott, born in Wexford, Ireland, and Amelia (nee Le Vallee), born in Alderney.  His father (called Paddy) was a gunner (No.51837) in the Royal Artillery, stationed at Fort Tourgis in Alderney.  They married in 1889 and had six children:  Patrick Joseph and William Edward were born in Alderney;  Amelia (died in infancy), Sarah, James Christopher (died in infancy), and Matthew were born in Liverpool.

In 1891 Amelia, with sons Joe, 3, and Willie, 1, are living with her parents Samuel and Amelia Le Vallee, at 6 Little Street, St. Ann’s, Alderney.   By 1893 the family had moved to Liverpool, based on the children’s birth records, and in 1901 are living at 57 Eldon Street, Liverpool. His father is a dock labourer.  Joseph is 12, William 11, and Sarah 3. 

In 1911 they are in court housing in Blackstock Street, with four children.  

His father and brother Patrick Joseph, 22, are  general labourers.   William is 21, a general carter; Sarah, 13, and Matthew, 5, are at school.  

William married  Elizabeth Ellen Caslin on 21^st July 1914 in  St. Mary's Church, Highfield Street, Liverpool, giving his address as 62 Paul Street. Their daughter, Ellen, was born later that year. A son, William Thomas, was born in 1916, but sadly only lived a few months and was buried in Ford Cemetery in September.

As William’s service record has not survived, the details of his military service are not known.   We know that he enlisted in Liverpool and his medal card shows only two medals. William would have trained in the UK, and by late May 1917 he was serving as Private 31399, 18^th (Pals) Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment.  The battalion was in the dreaded Ypres salient at Brandhoek.  At some point William was wounded, and sent to 96 Field Ambulance, where he died of his wounds on 4^th July 1917.  He was 27 years old.  His wife Elizabeth was notified of his death on 10^th July.

He now rests at Dickiebusch New Military Cemetery:

The New Military Cemetery was begun in February 1915 (in succession to the Old Military Cemetery near the Church), and was used until May 1917 by neighbouring fighting units and field ambulances. The 31st (Alberta) Canadian Infantry Battalion erected a memorial in it to 22 of their numbers who fell in April 1916. A few further burials took place in March and April 1918. The Extension was used from May 1917 to January 1918.

The New Military Cemetery contains 624 First World War burials, including 8 unidentified. The Extension contains 547 including 5 unidentified. The two cemeteries are treated, so far as possible, as one. The Cross is placed in the Extension, opposite the entrance, and the War Stone by the roadside in the New Military Cemetery.

The site was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

His daughter Ellen was two and a half years old when William died.

He was reported as died of wounds in the Weekly Casualty List of 07th August 1917.

Liverpool Echo, Monday, July 24,  1916.

SINNOTT-- April 29, killed in action, Private William (Willie) Sinnott (Pals), eldest and dearly-beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. Sinnott, of 82 Brighton street, Seacombe. (Deeply mourned by his sorrowing Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters,) R.I.P.  

His effects and pension went to his widow Elizabeth, living at 39 Adlington Street, Liverpool (per pension card).  Elizabeth received a pension of 18s 9d a week from 14^th January 1918 for herself and child, raised to £1 3s 4d from 4^th October 1918.  CWGC  gives her address as 33 Adlington Street, Liverpool, which seems to be correct based on later records.

William is commemorated on Liverpool’s Hall of Remembrance, Panel 6.

The 1929 electoral roll shows Williams’ parents Patrick and Amelia, with siblings Matthew and Sarah, living at 62 Paul Street.  William’s mother died in 1933 aged 66, and his father in 1938, aged 73, still living at 62 Paul Street.  His widow Elizabeth never remarried, and died in 1965 aged 73.  His daughter Ellen married, had two children, and died in 1994, aged 79.

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