Pte 51601 Gerald Oscar Booth

Gerald Oscar, known as Jack, was born on 17th December 1894, the son of William Henry Booth and his wife Hannah Margaret (nee Wroe). His parents married at St John the Divine Church, Fairfield, Liverpool in 1876. He was baptised at St Matthew's Church, Scotland Road, Liverpool on 15th March 1896. 

On the 1901 Census the family are living at 114 Shaw Street, Everton. Gerald Oscar is aged 5 and is living with his parents and siblings. His father, William Henry, is a 55  year old born in Huddersfield, and employed as a collector of market tolls, whilst his mother Hannah M. is aged 47. His siblings are listed as;  Arthur Henry aged 24 is a book keeper,  Ernest M. is an 18 year old commercial clerk, Harold V. is a 12 year old  schoolboy, Lilian M.  is a 22year old assistant housekeeper, Jessie G. aged 20 is a teacher, Ellen A. aged 16 is a lady clerk, Ethel W. is a 15 year old at school, Mary Evelyn M.  aged 10 is also at school, Edith M. aged 8 is at school. Also listed is Hannah's father Caleb James Wroe 76 retired commercial traveller (all of the children were born Liverpool).

His grandfather died shortly after the census and his death was reported in the Liverpool Daily Post on 24th May 1901

THE LATE MR CALEB J. WROE

The remains of Mr Caleb James Wroe, who died at the residence of his son-in-law 114 Shaw Street, was interred on Wednesday at Anfield Cemetery in the presence of numerous political and personal friends. Mr Wroe, who was 73 years of age, was a prominent member of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows for over 50-years, and attained the highest local distinction possible viz. Provincial Grand Master of the Unity 40 years ago. He was one of the founders of the Abercromby Ward Conservative Association, and for a number of years occupied the post of Honorary Secretary, and relinquishing the office when he retired from active life in 1888.

His brother Arthur Henry died in 1907 aged 29. 

On the 1911 Census the family are still at 114 Shaw Street, Everton. Gerald is aged 16 and a commercial clerk. His father, William Henry 66, retired collector of market tolls, mother Hannah is aged 57. They advise that they have been married for 34 years and have had 10 children, 9 of whom have survived. His siblings are recorded as; Lilian aged 32, Ernest aged 28 a commercial traveller in the fruit trade, Ellen is aged 26 and is a machinist, Ethel is aged 25, Harold is a 22 year old commercial clerk, Evelyn  is aged 20, and Edith is an 18 year old student. 

He enlisted in Liverpool as Rifleman 4594 joining the 6th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment (Liverpool Rifles). He embarked aboard the SS Princess Victoria from Folkestone-Boulogne on 15th July 1916 reaching the 24th Infantry Base Depot on 16th July 1916 and proceeded to the 11th Entrenching Battalion on 02nd August 1916. He then proceeded to the 17th Battalion K.L.R. on 05th August and was posted to the 17th Battalion as Private 51601 on 05th September 1916. 

Jack died of wounds at No. 43 Casualty Clearing Station on 11th April 1917 and now rests at Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery in France.

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.

His loss was reported in the Liverpool Daily Post 19th April 1917

DIED OF WOUNDS

BOOTH - April 11, died of wounds casualty clearing station, aged 22 years, Gerald Oscar Booth (Jack) K.l.R., the dearly loved son of William Henry and Hannah Booth of 114 Shaw Street, and grandson of the late Caleb James Wroe, of this city. 

An In Memoriam notice was placed in the Liverpool Post & Mercury, on 09th April 1918.