Pte 30804 John Edward Warburton

• Age: 23
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 6th May 1918
• Commemorated at: La Clytte Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: V.B.20

John Edward Warburton was born on the 07th March 1895 in Liverpool and was baptised on 10th April 1895 at St Benedict's Church, Everton. He was the son of Edward Mostyn Warburton and his wife Zillah (née Ensley) who were married on the 13th February 1890 at St Mary's Church, Kirkdale. Edward was a 24 year old police officer of 48 Fonthill Road, his father Mostyn was deceased, whilst Zillah was aged 19 of 10 Mere Lane, her father Josiah deceased. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 41, Copley Street, Everton, Liverpool. John's father, Edward, is aged 35, born in 1866 in St Luke’s, Middlesex is a Police Constable, his mother, Zillah, is aged 31, born 1870 in Bedworth, Warwickshire and has no occupation listed. They have three children at the time of the Census, Frances aged 10, born 1891, Amos aged 8, born 1893 and John Edward aged 6, born 1895. Their children were all born in Liverpool.

He was educated at Saint Saviour's School, Everton.

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 41, Wentworth St, Everton, Liverpool. His father, Edward, is aged 45, and is now a Sergeant in the Fire Brigade, his mother Zillah is aged 41, and has no occupation listed. They have been married for twenty one years and have three children. All of their children  at the time of the Census, were living at the home address, Frances aged 20, is a telegraph operator, Amos aged 18, is a clerk with an Iron merchant and John Edward aged 16,is a messenger for an assurance office.   

Previous to joining up he was employed by the Atlas Assurance Company, Liverpool. 

John enlisted in Liverpool, and was serving in the 18^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 30804.

He was killed in action on the 06^th May 1918, aged 23, during the German Spring Offensive.

His family put the following notices in the Liverpool Echo on Monday 27 May 1918:

Roll Of Honour.

Killed in Action.

WARBURTON - May 7, killed in action aged 23 years, Private JOHN EDWARD WARBURTON  (Jack), K.L.R., the dearly loved youngest son of E. and Z. Warburton - Deeply mourned by Mother, Father and Sister (Our hero), 19 Wentworth Street, Everton. 

His death was also reported in the Liverpool Weekly Courier on Saturday 27 July 1918;

Fallen Heroes.

Private John E. Warburton, K.L.R., 19 Wentworth street, Everton, who was killed in action on May 7th last, aged 23, had served in France two years and four months. He was educated at Saint Saviour's, Everton. Previous to joining up he was employed by the Atlas Assurance Company, Liverpool. 

He now rests at La Clytte Military Cemetery, Belgium where his headstone bears the epitaph:

“OUR HERO”

The first burial in the cemetery took place on the 1st November 1914, and between that date and April 1918, Plots I, II and III and part of Plot IV were filled. The hamlet of La Clytte was used as Brigade Headquarters, and the burials were carried out by Infantry, Artillery and Engineer units (out of 600, 250 are those of Artillery personnel and 66 are those of Engineers).

After the Armistice Plot IV was completed, and Plots V and VI formed by the concentration of isolated graves and small graveyards from the area round Reninghelst, Dickebusch, Locre and Kemmel.

There are now 1,082 casualties of the First World War buried or commemorated in this cemetery. 238 of the burials are unidentified and one of the graves, brought in from LEICESTER CAMP CEMETERY (a group of 17 graves on the road to Reninghelst), is marked with the names of two men between whom the identification rests. Other special memorials commemorate casualties known to have been buried in the cemetery, but whose graves could not be located.

The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

His family put the following notices in the local newspaper: 

WARBURTON - May 7, killed in action aged 23 years, Private JOHN EDWARD WARBURTON  (Jack), K.L.R., the dearly loved youngest son of E. and Z. Warburton - Deeply mourned by Mother, Father and Sister (Our hero). 19 Wentworth Street, Everton.

WARBURTON - May 7, killed in action aged 23 years, Private JOHN EDWARD WARBURTON  (Jack), K.L.R.,  the dearly loved brother of Amos (Moss) in France. (Deeply mourned)

[Amos M. Warburton, Pte #1423 KLR and #130808 Royal Engineers)

He earned his two medals.

Soldiers Effects, Army Pay of £13 17s 7d, War Gratuity of £7-10s, and Pension to his mother Zillah.

His mother Zillah died on the 17th June 1927, aged 57.

Her death was reported in the Liverpool Daily Post on Tuesday 21 June 1927;

WARBURTON— June 17, after a short illness, at 19 Wentworth-street, aged 57, ZILLAH, the dearly-beloved wife of Edward M. Warburton. Interment at Anfield Cemetery, today (Tuesday), at 2 p.m. (Friends please accept this —the only— intimation.) 

WARBURTON — June 17, at 19 Wentworth-street, ZILLAH, the dearly-loved mother of Moss and Dorothy (daughter-in-law), and beloved gran of Dorothy and Jack. — Deeply mourned.

His father George died on the 04th January 1931. aged 65.

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