Pte 16627 Frank Wilson

• Age: 24
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 23rd April 1917
• Commemorated at: Cherisy Rd East Cem, Heninel
  Panel Ref: 11

Frank was born in late 1892 in Aigburth, Liverpool the son of Thomas Wilson and  his wife Agnes (nee Bentham) who married on 2^nd July 1890 in the parish church in Melling, Lancashire. Thomas’ occupation is cow-keeper. Both parents were born in Yorkshire. Frank was the second born and eldest son of nine children: brothers William, Thomas, and John, sisters Jane, Eva, Agnes, Hilda and Lilian. The older children were born in Aigburth, and the family moved to Fazakerley in about 1900, where the younger children were born.

In 1901 the family is living at 50 Peny Bryn, Wrexham, Denbighshire. His father is listed as a bootmaker. They could not have been there long, as all the children were born in Liverpool.

In 1911 the family is living in Long lane, Fazakerley. His father is a farmer. Frank is 18, and employed as a clerk in a cotton office.

Prior to enlisting, Frank was employed by Messrs. Joynson, Bentley, & Co., cotton merchants, Orleans House.

Frank enlisted in Liverpool in the 18^th Bn KLR on 1^st September 1914, as Private 16342, giving his age as 21 years and 320 days, and his occupation as clerk.  He is described as being 5’ 4 and a half inches tall, weighing 121lbs, with hazel eyes and dark hair. He gives his next of kin as father Thomas Wilson, of Brookfield House, Long Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool. He gives his religion as Wesleyan.

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th 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. 

While at Grantham, Frank was admitted to Belton Park Military Hospital on 12^th June 1915 with German measles. He spent 10 days in hospital and was discharged on 21^st June.

He went to France with his battalion on 07th November 1915.

Frank was admitted on 09th March 1916 to 22 Field Ambulance with Myalgia. He resumed duty on 14th March 1916.

He was on leave to the U.K. from 3/6/1916- 13/6/1916.

He was awarded a Good Conduct Badge on 1/9/1916 on completion of two years’ service.

Frank was killed in action on 23^rd April 1917.

On that day the Battalion had occupied old German Trenches at Henniel on the Arras sector of the front. In the evening, it moved to a sunken road to support an attack by the 18th and 19th Battalion’s of the Manchester Regiment. Elements of the Pals were to provide mopping up parties for both the Manchester Battalions, who were to move forward at 18.00pm. However, as the orders were not received until 17.45pm,it proved impossible to join the Manchester’s in time for their attack and the mopping up parties followed from where they presumed that the assaulting waves had left.

By this time, the German retaliatory barrage had begun, and the British Front Line was so heavily shelled, that the Battalion took up position in the shell holes in front. As the situation was chaotic, some troops on the right flank had begun to pullback, it was decided to withdraw to the British front line under cover of darkness to consolidate. Eventually, by morning the position became clearer, and the Battalion was able to move forward to occupy the old front line which had been vacated by the Germans, who had retired over the next crest.

Altogether the Battalion’s losses were four officers and one hundred and one other ranks, killed, wounded or missing.

Frank now rests at Cherisy Road East Cemetery in Heninel, France.

The village of Heninel was captured in a snowstorm on 12 April 1917 by the 56th (London) and 21st Division. The 50th (Northumbrian) Division, advancing from Heninel on the two following days, captured Wancourt Tower. Cherisy Road East Cemetery was made by the 30th and 33rd Division Burial Officers in April 1917. The cemetery contains 82 First World War burials, 19 of which are unidentified.

His death was announced in the Liverpool Daily Post on 10^th May 1917:

“The death in action has been notified of Private Frank Wilson, son of Mr. Thomas Wilson, of Brookfield House, Fazakerley, and employed by Messrs. Joynson, Bentley, & Co., cotton merchants, Orleans House. He enlisted in the K.L.R. at the beginning of the war, and had been in France over eighteen months. He was well known and respected in cotton circles, and his death is deeply deplored by a large circle of friends.”

His father received his personal effects on 5^th November 1917: 1 cap badge, 2 religious books, 2 photos.

In March 1920 his father, then living at 74 Martin’s Lane, Liscard, Cheshire, wrote stating he had not received his son’s plaque and scroll.

On 10^th January 1921 the Imperial War Graves Commission wrote to Frank’s next of kin at their previous Liverpool address; correspondence was returned marked “Not known”.

Frank is commemorated on the Liverpool Cotton Association Memorial.

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