Pte 22936 Nicholas Bradshaw

• Age: 31
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 3rd July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

22936 Private Nicholas BRADSHAW, 20^th Battn KLR – KIA 3^rd July 1916.

Nicholas Harry was born on 21st December 1884, the fourth of eight children of Charles Bradshaw, a Board of Trade Officer, and his wife Agnes (nee Grierson). His parents married in 1878 and had nine children.  His older brother John, aged 16, and youngest sister Amanda (four months) died in 1898, and in 1905 two more siblings died, Henry, 18, and Alice, aged 15.

In 1891 the family live at 28 Miller Street, Toxteth. And Nicholas is shown as Nicholas H. Bradshaw. This is the only time he is referred to in Census records as having a second name.

In 1901 they live at 43 Enid Street, Toxteth when Nicholas is said to be an apprentice carpenter.

His mother, Agnes, died in 1903.

In the 1911 Census Nicholas, a carpenter (shipping) is living at 23 Rhiwlas Street, Toxteth with his widowed father and three siblings – Charles aged 28, employed like his father as a civil servant with the Board of Trade; Eliza, 17 years, an assistant clerk at an enamel works; and George, 15 years, an apprentice carpenter..

On 11^th November 1914, Nicholas enlisted in Liverpool, joining the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 22936. he gave his age as 29 years 11 months, his occupation as shipwright and names his father as his next of kin, still living at 23 Rhiwlas Street. He was described as being 5' 9" tall, weight 121lbs,  with a 36" chest, sallow complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair. He stated his religion as C.of E. He gave his surviving siblings as James 40, Charles 36, Elizabeth Lewis 24, and George 22.

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. 

On the 16th Oct 1915 whilst at Larkhill Camp he failed to obey an order and was give 3 days C.B.

He embarked to France on 07^th November 1915, shortly after having confined to barracks at Larkhill for 3 days for not complying with a lawful order.

In December the 20^th battalion is sent to Bienvillers on the Somme front. In May 1916 the Pals battalions come out of the line and move to Abbeville for specialist training for the “Big Push”. Nicholas survived the first day of the Battle of the Somme, in which the 20^th Bn took its objective at Maricourt with 100 casualties of all ranks.  

On the 02 July the Battalion was holding captured trenches and sent out two patrols to Bernafay Wood, where they captured 17 prisoners. The Battalion was shelled heavily at intervals day and night, causing casualties.  On the 3^rd the battalion held the same positions; they were shelled heavily and had a number of casualties (two killed and about 30 wounded).  At 8 p.m. the battalion less No.4 company took over trenches occupied by the 19^th Bn Manchester Regiment. 

Casualties: Other Ranks – 4 killed, and 45 wounded.

Private Nicholas Bradshaw was one of the casualties on this day.  (Graham Maddocks shows 12 of the 20^th KIA on this date).

His body was never recovered or was subsequently lost as his name is amongst the thousands on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

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 01^st 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.”

His loved ones placed notices in the Liverpool Echo on 28th July 1916: 

"Bradshaw - Killed in action, aged 31 years, Nicholas (Harry), the beloved brother of Janet, Charley, Dolly, and George, 23 Rhiwlas Street, High Park St.

We lay in dust life's glory dead

And from the earth there blossoms red

Life that shall endless be." 

"Killed in action, aged 31 years, Nicholas (Harry) Bradshaw ("Pals"). (Loved by all.) - Aunties Amanda and Liza."

"July 2 [sic], killed in action, Harry Bradshaw, shipwright ("Pals").  His duty done. Fondly remembered by his Chum and Cousin R. McCartney."

He was also remembered on the first anniversary of his death: 

"In loving memory of our dear nephew, Nicholas (Harry) Bradshaw (Pals), killed in action July 3, 196.  (Although the Great Beyond divides, in memory with us you'll ever abide.) - His Aunties Emma, Amanda, Eliza, and Polly." 

"In affectionate remembrance of my dear chum, Harry Bradshaw, killed in action July 3, 1916.  (But who, with me, shall hold thy former place; thine image, what new friendship can efface? - Ever remembered by his cousin R. M'Cartney."

(The only R. McCartney listed as a Pal is 23104 Robert William, who was himself killed in action with the 6th K.L.R. on 26th June 1918, aged 22.)

His father Charles received Harry's Army effects and a War Gratuity of £7.  From the pension card, it appears that his eldest sister Janet received a gratuity in lieu of a pension in February 1917, although notations on the ledger continue until 1931.

In a sworn declaration dated 7^th April 1919 his father named as his surviving relatives: father, Janet (sister) 40 years; Charles William (brother) 36 years, of 5 David Street, Toxteth; Elizabeth Lewis (sister – presumably Eliza above), 59 Hawdon Street; and George (brother, 22 years serving with the Royal Army Service Corps in France.

His father received Nicholas’s medals (BWM, VM and 1915 Star).

Harry is commemorated in Liverpool's Hall of Remembrance, Panel 14 Left.

He is commemorated on the family headstone in Toxteth Park Cemetery, Liverpool:

"In loving memory of John, the beloved son of Agnes and Charles Bradshaw, who died 25th April 1898, aged 17 years. Also Agnes Bradshaw, mother of the above who died 13th October 1903, aged 48 years. Also Alice, daughter of the above, who died 24th July 1905, aged 15 years. Also Henry Robert, son of the above, who died 12th August 1905, aged 18 years. Also Nicholas, son of the above 4th Batt. K.L.R. (Pals) who was killed in action in France 3rd July 1916, aged 31 years. Also George, son of the above who died 22nd November 1955, aged 60 years".

His brother, George Bradshaw served with the Army Service Corps with the number 335610 and RASC as 23912, and survived the war.

His father died in 1926, aged 69, still living in Rhiwlas Street.

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