Pte 42874 Isaac Slifkin

 

In 1901 the family is living at 17 Smithdown Lane, Edge Hill. His parents are both 27, his father is a shoe and boot maker, Isaac is 4 and Annie 1.

 

In November 1908 his father Abraham travelled on the Lucania from Liverpool to New York, listed as a non-immigrant alien, giving his age as 32, occupation shoe maker, address 5 Smithdown Lane, Liverpool, and destination New York City.  The purpose of his trip is not known, or how long he stayed, but travelled again on the Merion from Liverpool to Philadelphia in July 1909,  giving his next of kin as his wife Sarah, at 5 Smithdown Lane, final destination New York City.

 

The 1911 census shows his mother, Sarah, 36, married, is head of household, at 5 Smithdown Lane, Edge Hill.  She is listed as a bootmakeress/dealer.  Isaac, 13, Annie, 11, and Marie, 7, are at school, Barnet is 4 and Harry 1. His father is not listed in the household, apparently still in the U.S. 

On the same day as the 1911 census Isaac put out an appeal in a Sunday newspaper as to the whereabouts of his father Abram

Empire News and The Umpire 2nd April 1911

SLIFKIN, ABRAM. who left Hull 19 years ago, last heard of Newcastle. Enquirer, his son Isaac Slifkin, 20 Elmwood Street, Camp Road, Leeds. 

It is not known when his father returned from the States, but he is again found travelling in 1912 from Liverpool to New York. He is 42, listed as a shoemaker, and gives his wife at 85 Prescot Street as his nearest relative. There are no passenger records showing when he returned.

 

Another daughter, Fanny, was born in 1914.

Isaac enlisted in Liverpool and joined the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 42874. The amount of the War Gratuity suggests that he served for about two and a half years, enlisting at the end of 1915.

 

Isaac died of wounds on 30th April, 1918 aged 21 during the German Spring Offensive. 

He now rests at Arneke British Cemetery.

The cemetery was begun by the 13th Casualty Clearing Station which moved to Arneke from the Proven area in October 1917. It was joined by the 10th and 44th Clearing Stations in April 1918. The cemetery was used by these hospitals until the end of May, and again from July to September 1918 by the 62nd (1/2nd London) Clearing Station. In November it was used for a short time by the 4th and 10th Stationary Hospitals. A few French soldiers were buried from clearing stations in April 1918 and French units buried in Plots IV and V at the north-west end of the cemetery, mainly in May and June 1918. Arneke British Cemetery contains 435 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and five from the Second World War. There are also 126 French and five German war graves. The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker.

 

His father died in Liverpool in July 1919, aged 46, described as a master bootmaker, leaving an estate of over £2,000 to his widow Sarah.

 

His mother received Isaac’s Army effects, including a War Gratuity of £8-10s.  It is not apparent from the pension cards that a pension was awarded.

 

The 1938 Kelly's Directory shows his mother Sarah at 38 Eversley Street, Toxteth. On the 1939 Register Sarah, retired, with daughter Fanny, is living at 54 Avondale Road, off Smithdown Road.  

 

His mother lived until 1964, and died at the age of 89.