Cpl 17744 Harold Joseph Wilson

• Age: 24
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Thursday 28th March 1918
• Commemorated at: Pozieres Memorial
  Panel Ref: P21-23

He enlisted in Liverpool on the 11th September 1914 joining the 19^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private 17744. He gave his age as 20 years  and 11 months, occupation clerk, ht 5' 73/4", wt 125lbs, chest 35", fresh complexion, brown eyes, brown hair, religion Baptist. NOK mother Beatrice Mary, 28 Red Rock St, Liverpool.

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. 

His service record has survived and shows:

The Battalion diary records the events of the day as follows:

During the morning the enemy attacked the troops on our right flank and succeeded in capturing ARVILLERS, menacing our right flank. Three companies of the Battalion had to be immediately echeloned backwards as protection, the Battalion engaging the enemy, who were attempting to come out of ARVILLERS. This position was held during heavy fighting until 2pm when the Battalion was informed that French troops had come into position in the rear. In order for the Division to be relieved the Battalion had to hold their ground whilst the 2^nd Bedfordshire Regt and 2^nd Bn. R.S.F.’s passed through on their way to the rear. At 4pm the Battalion commenced to move off in small parties, passing through the French, and marching through MEZIERES, MOREUIL to MORISEL where hot dinner was provided. The Battalion then formed up and moved up by companies to ROUVREL and were billeted for the night. By this time the total casualties had reached 23 Officers and 457 O.R.

Harold Joseph has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial.

The POZIERES MEMORIAL relates to the period of crisis in March and April 1918 when the Allied Fifth Army was driven back by overwhelming numbers across the former Somme battlefields, and the months that followed before the Advance to Victory, which began on 8 August 1918. The Memorial commemorates over 14,000 casualties of the United Kingdom and 300 of the South African Forces who have no known grave and who died on the Somme from 21 March to 7 August 1918.

The cemetery and memorial were designed by W.H. Cowlishaw, with sculpture by Laurence A. Turner. The memorial was unveiled by Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien on 4 August 1930.

Soldiers Effects to mother Beatrice M., no Pension record found.

Harold earned his three medals. His 1914-1915 Star was offered for auction in 2014 as part of a set of five (all Liverpool Pals), the lot price £80-£120.

His brother Arthur served as L/Cpl 357969 of the  1/10 Btn (Scottish) KLR, he embarked 05th July 1916, went missing 30th Nov 1917 (POW) and repatriated 02nd December 1918. 

Parents appear on the 1939 register still at 28 Red Rock Street. Father John E., dob 3rd Oct 1863, Mother Beatrice M., dob 26th Mar 1865.

His father dropped off the Electoral Register at 28 Red Rock Street after 1938-39

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