Pte 22315 John Bolton

John was born in Liverpool in October 1890, the son of William Bolton and his wife Elizabeth (née Marchbank). William, from Liverpool, and Elizabeth from Longtown, Cumberland, married in Liverpool in 1888, and had seven children. John was the only surviving son. He had younger sisters Elizabeth, Henrietta, Hilda, and Madge. Two brothers, Thomas and William, died in infancy.

 

In 1891 his parents, with John, age 5 months, are living at 138 Salisbury Road, Everton.  His father is a bookbinder/finisher.

 

In 1901 the family is still at 138 Salisbury Road, Everton, with four children, John is 10.

 

By 1911 his parents and sisters are at 188 Townsend Lane. His father aged 46, is a bookbinder/employer, his mother is 45, Elizabeth is 17, a dressmaker, Henrietta, 15, Hilda, 10, and Madge, 5 are at school.  They have a boarder, John Marchbank Huddlestone, 13.  A John Bolton, age 21, is found on crew lists in 1912 as steward on the Oriana, address 91 Townsend Lane. 

 

John enlisted in Liverpool on 6th November 1914, as Private 22315, 20th (Pals) Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment. He gives his age as 24 years and one month, and his occupation as steward.  He is described as being 5’ 3” tall, weighing 116 lbs, with a fresh complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair. He gives his religion as Church of England and his father as next of kin, at 47 Antrim Street, Tuebrook, Liverpool.

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built 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. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

John’s name appeared in the list of Wounded published in the Liverpool Post & Mercury on 12th September 1916, On this date the list of those "Killed at Guillemont" was published, so it was possible, if not probable, that John was wounded during the failed, costly attack on 30th July.  

 

John was evacuated to the U.K. and admitted to the 2nd North General Hospital, Beckett Park, Leeds, on the 08th August 1916 with a gunshot wound to the right arm. While recuperating he was posted to the K.L.R. Depot.  He died of his wounds and acute nephritis over four months later at 1:45 a.m. on the 07th December 1916.  His family was not present.

 

His body was taken home to Liverpool and he rests at Everton Cemetery in plot XVII.NC.476.  He was 25.

 

There are 72 First World War burials in the Cemetery.

 

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo dated 08th December 1916:

 

 

 

John earned his three medals.  His mother Elizabeth, at 47 Antrim Street, Tuebrook, received his Army effects of £9-6s-1d, a War Gratuity of £9, and a pension of 15/- a week.

 

His parents were still living in Antrim Street in 1925, his father’s business address at 67 Stanley Street, Liverpool.  His father died in 1928 aged 64 and his mother in July 1939, aged 72.

 

John is commemorated on Liverpool’s Hall of Remembrance, Panel 11 Left.

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