Pte 16420 John Wilson

• Age: 23
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 1st July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

John Wilson as born on 30th December 1892 when his parents were living 45 Solway Street, Liverpool, John was baptised at St Clement’s Church on 07th January 1893. He was the fifth of seven children born to Thomas, an organ builder from Kendal, and his wife Hannah (nee Pearson) who married in St Bride’s Church, Toxteth on 24th December 1881 when both gave their address as Upper Frederick Street. Thomas gave his father as James Wilson, a painter, whilst Hannah was aged 20 and gave her father's details as Charles Pearson, a porter, both gave their address as Upper Frederick Street. 

In 1901 the family lived at 38 Carter Street, Toxteth where his father Thomas was aged 45, a foreman organ builder, mother Hannah was aged 38,. Their children are recorded as: Thomas aged 18 who is a timber merchants clerk, James aged 16 a coal merchants clerk, Charles aged 14 a drapers apprentice, William who was 12, John 8, Ruth 7, Grace 3 and 1 year old Henry. Their aunt, John’s sister Sarah Wilson who was 42 is listed as a domestic servant. Little Grace died aged just 3 later that year.

In 1911 at 23 Earle Road, Edge Hill, father Thomas was aged 56, still an organ builder, mother Hannah was aged 48.  John is 18 and is described as an asphalter’s clerk. His parents have five of their other children also living at home. James is a colliery owner’s clerk, Charles a book seller’s assistant, William a jewellers accountant, Ruth aged 17 is at home and Henry aged 11 is at school. The Census records his parents have been married for 29 years and Hannah has borne nine children, of which seven have survived.

John enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 02nd September 1914 joining the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 16420. He gave his age as 21 years 247 days, his occupation as a clerk (employed by Calthrop Brothers, compound cake manufacturers who had premises at 56 Naylor Street, Liverpool) and his next of kin as his father of 23 Earle Road. He was described as being 5' 7" tall, weight 123lbs, 34” chest, with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair. He stated his religion as Church of England.

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. 

John crossed to France with his Battalion on the 07th November 1915.

He was granted home leave to the UK between 3rd and 13th June 1916. 

He was killed in action on 1st July 1916 reportedly carrying out signal work when he was shot and killed near the German lines.

The day of the 1st July 1916 for the 18th Batallion:

At 6.30am the artillery commenced an intensive bombardment of the enemy’s trenches. Zero Hour – 7.30 am – the battalion commenced to leave their trenches and the attack commenced. The attack was pressed with great spirit and determination in spite of heavy shelling and machine gun enfilade fire which caused casualties amounting to 2/3rds of the strength of the Battalion in action. The whole system of German trenches including the Glatz Redoubt was captured without any deviation from the scheduled programme. Consolidated positions and made strong points for defence against possible counter attacks.

Graham Maddocks provides more detail concerning the events of the day:

As the first three waves began to move forward towards the German reserve line, known as Alt Trench and then on to the Glatz Redoubt itself, they suddenly came under enfilading fire from the left. This was from a machine gun which the Germans had sited at a strong point in Alt Trench. The gun itself was protected by a party of snipers and bombers, who, hidden in a rough hedge, were dug into a position in Alt Trench, at its junction with a communication trench known as Alt Alley. These bombers and snipers were themselves protected by rifle fire from another communication trench, Train Alley which snaked back up the high ground and into Montauban itself. The machine gun fire was devastating and it is certain that nearly of the Battalion’s casualties that day were caused by that one gun.

Lieutenant Colonel Edward Henry Trotter wrote in the conclusion of his account of the days action:

“I cannot speak to highly of the gallantry of the Officers and men. The men amply repaid the care and kindness of their Company Officers, who have always tried to lead and not to drive. As laid down in my first lecture to the Battalion when formed, in the words of Prince Kraft:

“Men follow their Officers not from fear, but from love of the Regiment where everything had always and at all times gone well with them”. 

Joe Devereux in his book A Singular Day on the Somme gives the Casualty Breakdown for the 18th Battalion as Killed in Action 7 Officers and 165 men and of those who died in consequence of the wounds 3 Officers and 19 men a total of 194 out of a total loss for the four Liverpool Pals Battalions of 257.

John's body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916.

On 01st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

A memorial service was held in his memory at Christ Church, Kensington, Liverpool on the 23rd July 1916. 

John is also remembered on the war memorial that once stood in Christ Church, Kensington and which is now preserved in Kensington Library.

A note on his file shows that his effects (6 photographs) were to be sent to his mother but “if his wristwatch is recovered this should be sent to Miss Elsie Tartt, 69 Windermere Street, Everton”.

On July 1st 1917, the anniversary of his death his parents published a notice in the Liverpool press:

Wilson – In sad and loving memory of our dearly loved son John Wilson K.L.R. who fell whilst on signal duty in France, July 1st, 1916 (Though he were dead yet shall he live. St John xi, s25) – T. and H. Wilson, 23, Earle Road.

His brother, James, enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery on 29th November 1915, having previously served with the 6th Battalion KLR, and served in France, mainly at the Base in Le Havre, between August 1917 and his demobilisation in November 1919.

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