Pte 17742 Henry Wild

• Age: 30
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Sunday 25th June 1916
• Commemorated at: Cerisy-gailly Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.L.6

Henry Wild was born in the December quarter of 1885 he was the fourth of five children born to James Wild, an insurance agent, and his wife Ann (nee Turner).

The 1891 Census shows the family living at 50 Gonville Road, Bootle. His father, James, is aged 51, born in Adlington, Lancashire in 1840 and is employed in a counter office for ship company. His mother, Ann, is aged 50, born in Lancashire and has no occupation listed. They have four children at the taking of the Census, Alfred William aged 22, born 1869 is a cotton porter, Martha C. is aged 19, born 1872 and has no occupation listed, James aged 14, born 1877, is an apprentice to a timber merchant and Henry is aged 5, born 1886 and is a scholar. Their children were all born in Kirkdale.

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 154 Bedford Road, Bootle. His father, James, is aged 61, and is employed as an insurance agent on commission and his mother, Ann, is aged 60 (shown as being born 1841) and has no occupation listed. They only have Henry living at home and he is aged 15, and employed as an office boy for a fire works. They also have a grandson Arthur Simm aged 2, born 1899 in Tuebrook, Liverpool living with them.

In 1911 the family are still lliving at 154 Bedford Road, Bootle. His father James aged 71, is employed as an insurance agent and his mother, Ann, is aged 70 (shown as being born 1841) and listed as a housewife. They have been married for 46 years and have had seven children of which two had died. They have two siblings living at home Henry aged 25, and employed as a painter and signwriter (Master Painter), their widowed son Alfred William aged 42 who is employed as a clerk in the timber trade. He has his three sons Alfred Jnr aged 11, born 1900 and at school, William Trevor aged 4, born 1907 and Victor aged 1, born 1910. They also have two boarders living at the address, Joseph Lloyd aged, who is married and aged 41, born 1870 in Woolton, Liverpool and employed as a porter and William Hutchinson Davis aged 20, born 1891 in Kendal, Westmoerland and he is employed as a clerk in the timber trade.  

He enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on the 03^rd September 1914, joining the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 17442. He gave his age as 29 years and 336 days, and his occupation as a clerk and his next of kin as his father, James, 154 Bedford Road. 

Formed on 07th September 1914 the 19th 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 7th November 1915.

On 17^th February 1915, while at Knowsley, Henry was given 3 days CB for ‘neglecting to obey an order’; on 2^nd October 1915, at Larkhill, he was given 7 days CB and forfeited 2 days pay for being AWOL for 2 days. On 6^th November 1915 he left for France and on 20^th November was ordered to forfeit 2 days pay for ‘deficiency of kit’ - losing his cap cover by neglect. 

During the last week of June 1916, his Battalion was amongst those massing at the front for the Battle of the Somme - initially scheduled to begin on 29^th June but subsequently delayed to 01^st July. Allied artillery began their bombardment about 25^th June as a precursor to the attack due to begin on 29^th June. German artillery responded and during heavy bombardments several men of the 19^th and the other Pals Battalions lost their lives, including Henry Wild, who was killed in action on 25^th June 1916, aged 30, and is buried in Cerisy-Gailly Cemetery, Grave II L 6.

Henry earned all 3 medals. In a sworn declaration on 20^th May 1919, his father listed his surviving relatives as his parents; brothers Alfred (51 years), Arthur (53 years) and James (42 years); and a sister, Martha Simm.

His father placed a notice in the Liverpool Daily Post on 18^th July 1916:  

“June 26, killed in action, Private Harry Wild, “Pals”, youngest son of James Wild, 14 Bedford Road, Bootle.”

Reported killed in Daily Post on 24th July 1916. 

(Date of death quoted as 28th June on Soldiers Effects and 26th in newspaper).

Personal effects included:- disc, packet of letters, copper coin, photos and cards, testament, parade service book, dictionary, pipe, razors in case, scissors, cap badge, belt, small books, woollen helmet (also states he was 5th Platoon 2nd Coy) - Dad replied "Thanks for little things"

Soldiers Effects to his father James and pension to his mother Ann.Henry is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Bedford Road School

Bootle Civic Memorial.

His father James died September 1921, aged 81, and his mother Ann died, aged 84, in September 1925.

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