L/Cpl 17992 Richard Sutton Walberg

• Age: 29
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• Died Wednesday 7th November 1917
• Commemorated at: Bailleul Cc Ext
  Panel Ref: III.E.75

Richard Sutton was born 23rd February 1888 and was baptised 28th May 1888 at St Peters, Liverpool. he was the son of Anton Johnston Walberg and Agnes J Dodd who were married in 1884 at St Mary’s Wavertree, Liverpool.

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 6, Holly Street, Bootle cum Linacre, Liverpool.

The father Anton aged 45, born 1856 is a dock gateman and was born in Sweden. His wife Agnes is aged 42, born 1859 in Liverpool and has no occupation listed. They have seven children at the time of the Census, Ida aged 14, born 1887 is a domestic servant and was born in Birkenhead, Richard is aged 13, born 1888, Elizabeth aged 11, born 1890, Agnes aged 10, born 1891, Maria aged 8, born 1893, George aged 7, born 1894 and Margery aged 4, born 1897. The children were all born in Bootle.

The 1911 Census shows the family still living at 6, Holly Street, Bootle cum Linacre, Liverpool.

The father Anton aged 55, is still employed as a dock gateman and his wife Agnes is aged 53 and has no occupation listed. They have been married for twenty six years and have had nine children of which one had died. They have six children living with them at the time of the Census, Richard is 23, and is a clerk with London and N.W. Railways, Agnes aged 20,is a dining room waitress in a dye works, Maria aged 8, born 1893, Maria aged 18 is a dress maker in a dye works, George aged 17, is an apprentice saddler, Margaret aged 14, and Albert aged 8 are both at school.  

He enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 4th September 1914 joining the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 17992. He gave his age as 24 years and 200 days and his occupation as a clerk. He was five feet four inches tall weighed 110lbs with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. 
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. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

A letter that Richard wrote to his old headmaster was published in the Bootle Times on the 11th February 1916.

FOOTBALL UNDER FIRE.

A BOOTLE "OLD BOY" ON LIFE IN THE TRENCHES.

Writing from "somewhere in France" to his former Headmaster, Pte. R.S. Walberg, and old boy of

Hawthorne-road Council School, Bootle, says:-

I received your very welcome parcel on my return from the trenches. I have had two visits to the

trenches since, and am about to make a third. The line we were holding last time was about 60 yards

from the Germans, but I never saw any of them, although we heard their guns. Trench life is not so bad,

the only drawback is lack of sleep and a wash. On our return we get a hot bath, and it is a treat. We are

sleeping in a barn on wire beds, which have to stand the wear-and-tear of all troops that pass through on

their way to the trenches. The rats are very lively about here, and one actually ate one of my puttees.

Well, it chewed so much that the remaining portion is no use to me.

The band plays in the square about three times a day, and to-night we are to have a concert. To add to

the music, a shell whistles over now and then, but no one seems to heed. Yesterday I saw a football

match, and four shells burst about 20 yards away, but the game went on just the same. The aeroplanes

are always very busy, and it is quite exciting watching the shells bursting all round them.

I am keeping fairly well, and looking forward to leave, which seems to be the one thing to look for. I

hope you are well. Would you thank the children for the cards, which are very nice, and remind me of

my old school days. I have not dropped across any of our boys as yet. Please give my thanks to all

subscribers, and accept the same yourself. I hope to give you more news next time.

Richard suffered gun shot wounds to his left leg and returned to the UK for treatment. He was treated at Borough Hospital in Birkenhead from 17th April 1917 until 12th July 1917. He remained in the UK until 23rd October 1917 by which time he had married Mary Elizabeth Murray at St.Faith's C.of E. Church, Waterloo in the summer of 1917 whilst recupperating at home. They had no children. He was posted back to the 19th Battalion on 30th October 1917. 

He was killed in an accident on the 7th November 1917, aged 29 and now rests at Bailleuil Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

Bailleul was occupied on 14 October 1914 by the 19th Brigade and the 4th Division. It became an important railhead, air depot and hospital centre, with the 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 11th, 53rd, 1st Canadian and 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Stations quartered in it for considerable periods. It was a Corps headquarters until July 1917, when it was severely bombed and shelled, and after the Battle of Bailleul (13-15 April 1918), it fell into German hands and was not retaken until 30 August 1918.

The earliest Commonwealth burials at Bailleul were made at the east end of the communal cemetery and in April 1915, when the space available had been filled, the extension was opened on the east side of the cemetery. The extension was used until April 1918, and again in September, and after the Armistice graves were brought in from the neighbouring battlefields.

BAILLEUL COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION contains 4,403 Commonwealth burials of the First World War; 11 of the graves made in April 1918 were destroyed by shell fire and are represented by special memorials. There are also 17 British burials of the Second World War (all 1940) and 154 German burials from both wars (10 of which are Second World War).

During the Second World War the cemetery suffered major bomb damage that necessitated the replacement of nearly 200 headstones after the war.

Both the Commonwealth plot in the communal cemetery and the extension were designed by Sir Herbert Baker.  

The circumstances surrounding his death were subject to a Court Martial Hearing. A report of Accidental injuries filed on 12th November 1917 found that:

"Corporal Walberg was just inside a barrack hut, when a Lewis Gun was fired by No.17943 Pte Roughley of 19th Battalion ing's Liverpool Regiment, who was cleaning the gun, pulled the trigger, accidentally discharing four rounds". 

Richard suffered severe machine gun bullet wounds to his groin. Also wounded were Sergeant 17315 Dowling and Lance Sergeant 17297 Cockburn. 

Evidence provided proved that Private Roughley accidentally discharged the gun. He was to win a Military Medal himself before he was killed in action on 8th October 1918. Sergeant Dowling succumbed to his wounds on 11th November 1917.    

Richard’s death was reported in the Liverpool Echo 17th November 1917 -

WALBERG – Nov 7, Killed in Action age 29 years Corporal R. S. Walberg (KLR) The dearly loved son of Mr & Mrs Walberg, 6 Holly Street, Bootle.

He was also remembered in Liverpool Echo 8/11/1918

In Memoriam - WALBERG – In sad but sweet remembrance of my dear Richard 3rd Pals KLR who died of wound in France Nov 7 or 8 1917 (We miss him most who loved him best) From his loving and sorrowing wife and all at 36 Kingswood Avenue, Waterloo.

WALBERG – In ever loving memory of our dear son Cpl Richard S Walberg KLR (Late Pals) killed in France Nov 7 or 8 1917 aged 29. The Lord gave and the Lord taken away, Blessed be the name of the Lord. Sadly missed by Father, Mother and all at 6 Holly Street, Bootle.

Soldiers Effects and Pension to his widow Mary Elizabeth.

Richard Sutton Walberg is commemorated on the following local memorials

Bootle Civic Memorials

Ash Street Baptist Mission, Bootle

Hawthorne Road Council School, Bootle

London & North Western Railwaymen Roll of Honour

His father died in 1927 and his mother in 1935. His widow never remarried and died at 26 Kingswood Avenue, Waterloo in 1962.

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