Pte 23994 William Josiah Wear

• Age: 22
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Wednesday 13th December 1916
• Commemorated at: Berles Position Military Cemetery
  Panel Ref: B.2

William Josiah was born in 1894 in Liverpool and was baptised on the 25th March, 1894 at All Hallows Church Of England Church, Allerton. He was the son of Josiah Felix Wear and his wife Catherine (nee Bell) of Hartfield Lodge, Calderstones Road, Mossley Hill, Liverpool. His parents married on the 15th June 1886 at St Mary's Church, Sopworth, Wiltshire. Josiah was a 27 year old gardener of Condover, father Enoch a gardener, whilst Catherine was aged 29 of Sopworth, father William a carpenter. His father was born in Stroud, Gloucestershire and his mother in Chippenham, Wiltshire. 

On the 1901 Census the family are living at Hartfield Lodge, Calderstones Road, Mossley Hill.

Father Felix Josiah is aged 42, a domestic gardener born in Ebley, Stroud, mother Catherine is aged 44, born in Sopworth, Chippenham, children Frank Felix 14, a telegraph messenger born Condover, Shrewsbury, then born Allerton are Sarah Emily Ruth 12,  Catherine Eveline 12 and William Josiah 7. 
 
On the 1911 census the family are still at the same address.

His father, Josiah Felix, is aged 52, a domestic gardener, his wife Catherine is aged 55 and they have been married for 24 years and have had four children. Frank Felix is aged 24, also a domestic gardener, William Josiah is aged 17, a clerk with American Merchants J. C. Plimpton and Co. (office furniture manufacturers). The two daughters Sarah Emily born 1889 and Catherine Eveline born 1891 had both left the household by the time of the Census. 

William enlisted in Liverpool, around December 1914, joining in the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 23994.

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 20th 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 07th November 1915.

He was reported wounded/shell shock in the Liverpool Daily Post on 13th September 1916.

WOUNDED SHELL-SHOCK. 

King’s (Liverpool Regiment) - Wear, 23994, W. (Liverpool); 

William was one of 3 Pals killed in action on 13th December, 1916 aged 22, whilst taking part in a raiding party on enemy positions. 

The 20th Bn War Diary for 13th December 1916 records:

“A concentrated bombardment by all the [...] artillery took place in the Monchy Salient, machine guns, trench mortars + rifle grenades also assisted.

6 p.m. - A raiding party of 3 Officers and 45 O.R. raided the enemy’s trenches for the purpose of securing identification and killing Boche.  Although gaps had been observed in the wire before dusk, knife rests had been placed in there before the arrival of our raiders.  One party got through the wire and entered the Boche lines and found four men in a dugout in shirt sleeves who, refusing to come out, were shot and bombed with lachrymatory bombs. The other party could not get through the wire as sentry groups appeared to have been posted in the gaps.  Our men threw several bombs producing [...] and returned.  It is believed the enemy were “standing to” on our arrival.  No identifications were obtained.  Unfortunately three of our men failed to return, one of whom was believed to have been killed, one missing, and the other seen dead.  A patrol of six men including Ptes. Armstrong and Holman went back to try and recover the bodies, but met hostile patrol of between 30 and 40 men who subsequently caused them to return to our trenches, no trace of the bodies could be found.”

(Graham Maddox in his book “Liverpool Pals” records six 20th Bn KIA on 13/12/1916.)

His death was reported in the Runcorn Weekly News on Friday 26th January 1917, and also in the Liverpool Football Echo: 

ALLERTON SOLDIER KILLED. 

Private W. Wear (23), K.L.R., was killed in action on December 13. He was educated at St. Anne's Schools, Aigburth, and entered the offices of Messrs. J. C. Plimpton, American merchants, Old Hall street, Liverpool. At the time he enlisted he was a clerk in the offices of Messrs. John Elliott and Company, Eberle street. He was a member of the Liverpool Clerks' Association, and of the Mossley Hill Sunday School. His parents reside at Hartfield Lodge, Calderstones road, Allerton. 

A notice was also placed in the Liverpool Echo on Thursday 13th December 1917, the first anniversary of William's death: 

ROLL OF HONOUR.  

WEAR—In loving memory Lce.-Corpl. Willie Wear K.L.R., killed in action, December 13, 1916 (Deeply mourned.)  

Edie.

William now rests at Berles Position Military Cemetery in France at B.2. He is buried next to Tom Houlson who was killed alongside him on 13th December 1916.

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.

Soldiers Effects, Army pay of £4 6s 5d, £9 War Gratuity to father Josiah F., Pension to mother Catherine, Hartfield Lodge, Mossley Hill. 

His father died, aged 69, back in Malmesbury, Wiltshire on the 30th October 1927.  

Probate:- 

WEAR Josiah Felix of Sopworth Wiltshire died 30 October 1927 Probate London 21 December to Catherine Weir widow. Effects £209. 

His mother died, aged 76, on the 16th May 1932 

Probate:-  

WEAR Catherine of Sopworth, Chippenham Wiltshire died 16 May Administration Gloucester 11 August to Catherine Eveline Weir spinster. Effects £123 8s 3d. 

William is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 31

Garston Roll of Honour,

St Matthew & St James C. of E. Church, Mossley Hill

All Hallows C. of E. Church, Allerton.

On the 1921 Census his father is aged 62, and the caretaker at Calder High School, Calderstones, his mother is aged 65, on home duties. 

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