Pte 21798 Herbert Stanley Wainwright

• Age: 20
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Friday 24th November 1916
• Commemorated at: Berles Position Cem
  Panel Ref: B.5

Herbert Stanley Wainwright was born on the 22nd September, 1896 in Liverpool and was the son of William and Fanny Augusta Wainwright (nee Baker), of 21 Balmoral Rd, Fairfield, Liverpool who had married in September 1886 at West derby Registry Office. Herbert was educated at Liverpool Collegiate School, Everton

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 130 Belmont Road, Liverpool. His father, William, is aged 36 and his occupation is shown as a paint manufacturer and was born in Liverpool. His mother Fanny A is aged 40, and was born in Middlesex. They have five children in the household; Alice M aged 13, William Henry aged 12, Lilian W aged 10, Frances M aged 7, and Herbert S aged  4. The children were all born in Liverpool

The 1911 Census has the family now living at 27 Greenfield Road, Old Swan, Liverpool. His father William is now aged 46, born 1865 and is a general merchant in Iron and Textiles and his mother Fanny A is  now showing as aged 48, born 1863. The children in the household are listed as; Alice M is aged 23, born 1888, William Henry aged 21 born 1890 and occupation produce manager, Lillian W is aged 19,born 1892,  Frances M aged 17, born 1894 and Herbert Stanley is aged 14, born 1897 and both are students. 

Herbert was educated at Liverpool Collegiate School.

He enlisted on the 11^th November, 1914 in Liverpool, joining the 19th Battalion, of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 21798. He gave his age as 19 years and two months and gave his occupation as a Clerk. He was 5 feet three and half inches tall, weighed 108lbs, frech complexion, grey eyes, brown hair and gave his religion as Church of England. It would appear Herbert had lied about his age on enlistment giving his date of birth as 1895.

Formed on 07^th September 1914 the 19^th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation 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. 

07.11.15: Embarked for France with his Battalion from Folkestone.

30.11.15: Dirty on guard mounting punishment 1 extra guard.

31.03.16: Awarded five days Field Punishment No 1 for “Absent from camp from 8.00pm 31.03.16 until 06.30am 01.04.16.

30.07.16: Wounded to Field Ambulance. Gunshot wound to left hand and sent to Casualty Clearing Station.

22.08.16: Admitted to 18 General Hospital.

15.09.16: Discharged to base.

24.08.16: Etaples.

14.09.16: Proceeded to rejoin unit.

He was killed in action on the 24nd November 1916 aged 20.

The battalion war diary records:

‘Berles. In billets. Working parties found for R.E’s. 52252 Private Hickson F.O. and 21798 Wainwright H. were killed in action, 41813 Private Minton A, 21618 Private Riley C. 51688 Private Jefferies A.E, 21472 Corporal Carter, E., were wounded in action. All were of ‘D’ Company and were on one of the working parties in the frontline.’ 

He now lies in Berles Position Cemetery, France, where his headstone bears the epitaph:

“FATHER IN THY GRACIOUS KEEPING LEAVE WE NOW OUR LOVED ONE SLEEPING”

The village of Berles-au-Bois remained in British hands from the summer of 1915, when it was taken over from French troops, until the end of the War; but it suffered at times from severe shelling.

The village was later "adopted" by the County Borough of Wolverhampton.

Berles Position Military Cemetery was begun by the 46th (North Midland) Division in July, 1916, and used (largely by the same Division) until February, 1917. It lies in a long dip; and it was known also as The Ravine Cemetery and as Nobs Walk Cemetery.

There are now over 50, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, a small number are unidentified.

The cemetery covers an area of 379 square metres and is enclosed by a low rubble wall.

Herbert Stanley’s death was reported in the Liverpool Echo 2nd December 1916

DEATHS – Killed in Action - WAINWRIGHT – Nov 24 Killed in Action aged 20 years Private Herbert S Wainwright (KLR). The dearly loved younger son of Mr & Mrs Wainwright – 4 Balmoral Road, Fairfield.

Soldiers Effects to father William and pension to mother Fanny and William.

Herbert is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

St Anne’s C. of E. Church, Stanley, Liverpool 

Liverpool Collegiate School, Everton. 

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