Pte James Furlong

• Age: 36
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: 2/7 KLR 17th Btn
• Died on Friday 27th September 1918
• Commemorated at: Vis En Artois Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 3 & 4

James was born in Liverpool on 20^th December, 1881, and was the eldest son of Lawrence Joseph Furlong and his wife Mary (nee Redmond) of 24 Great Mersey Street, Liverpool. They married in 1876 in Birkenhead. 

He was baptised on Christmas Day 1881 at St Sylvester's Church, Liverpool. He had four sisters; Ann b.1877, Elizabeth b. 1878, Margaret b. 1883 and Sarah b. 1886. He also had a younger brother Lawrence b. 1887.

On the 1881 census his family were living at 278a Vauxhall Road.His father, Lawrence, is aged 30, a ships wharfinger, born Ireland(Enniscorthy), mother Mary aged 30, born in Liverpool, as were children Annie 3 and Elizabeth 1. 

His father sadly died aged 38 in 1887 in a drowning incident, and after a coroner’s inquest was buried at Ford Cemetery on the 10th November. 

Details of the Coroner's reporte was included in the Liverpool Mercury on Wednesday 09th November 1887: 

Coroner’s Report. 

On the body of Lawrence Furlong, aged 38 years, residing at No. 4, Furlong street. Deceased, who was employed as a wharfinger for the White Star Line, left home to go to his work at eight o'clock on Saturday morning. He was last seen alive by a relative at half-past seven o'clock on Saturday night in Waterloo Road. At half-past eight on Sunday morning, two boatman, named William Briton Gregory and Robert Roberts, found his body in the river near the Princes's pierhead, Verdict of "Found drowned' was returned. 

Details also featured in the Liverpool Journal of Commerce - Wednesday 09th November 1887: 

DROWNED.—Mr. Clarke Aspinall yesterday held an inquest on the body of Lawrence Furlong, a wharfinger, thirty-eight years of age, who lived at 4, Furlong-street, Liverpool. The evidence showed that a boatman named Gregory, living in Chisenhale-street, found the body of the deceased floating near the Prince's Pierhead at half-past eight o'clock on Monday morning. There was no evidence to show how deceased got into the water. 

On the 1891 census the family are now living with Mary’s parents at 3 Eldon Place. Head is Patrick Redmond and his wife Annie, both aged 60 and born in Co.Wexford. Widowed mother Mary is aged 42, a stationer, children Annie 13, a dressmakers apprentice, James aged 9 is a scholar, Maggie 7 is a scholar, Sarah 5 is also a scholar, and Leonard(?) 3. 

On the 1901 census the family are still living at 3 Eldon Place. Patrick Redmond is now widowed, mother Mary is aged 50, a domestic, children Annie 23, a dressmaker, Elizabeth 21 a packer, James aged 19 a clerk, Margaret 17 a packer, Sarah 15 a packer, and Lawrence 13. 

Shortly after the census he becomes a steward on the SS Haverford, a trans-Atlantic liner for the American Line. He was aged 20, address 3 Eldon Place.  

On the 1911 census the family have moved to 24 Great Mersey Street. His mother, Mary, is aged 61, a housekeeper, children Annie 33, a cigarette maker, Elizabeth(Coady) 31 is widowed, Sarah 25 a shop assistant, grandson Lawrence Coady 9. 

James enlisted at St George's Hall, Liverpool on 02nd September 1914 joining the 17th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 15999. He gave an incorrect age when he stated he was 29 years and 250 days as he was 32 years of age at the time and employed as a clerk. He was described as being 5'5 and a half inches tall, weighed 113lbs with a 35 inch chest. He had a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. He stated his religion as Roman Catholic and named his mother as his next of kin, at 24 Great Mersey Street. 

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th 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 07^th November 1915.

James received his good conduct badge after two years service on the  02nd September 1916. He was on leave in the UK between 25th July and 04th August 1917, also being granted class 1 proficiency pay. He was treated at 97 F.A. for an abcess on his left thigh between 13th - 20th April 1918  when he rejoined his battalion.  

He was transferred to the 2/7th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment on 24th May 1918.

James was killed in action on 27th September 1918, aged 36.

His body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vis en Artois Memorial, France. 

The Vis en Artois Memorial bears the names of over 9,000 men who fell in the period from 8 August 1918 to the date of the Armistice in the Advance to Victory in Picardy and Artois, between the Somme and Loos, and who have no known grave.

The memorial was designed by J.R. Truelove, with sculpture by Ernest Gillick. It was unveiled by the Rt. Hon. Thomas Shaw on 4 August 1930.

This was the second devastating loss that the family had to endure as his younger brother Lawrence had been killed in action on 26th November 1915, aged 27, whilst serving with the 1/8th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment. He now rests at St Pierre Cemetery, Amiens. 

The family placed a memorial notice in the Liverpool Echo on the 11th October 1918: 

Furlong- September 27, killed in action after 4 years service. Private JAMES FURLONG, K.L.R. (late Pals) eldest son of Mary and the late Lawrence Furlong of 24 Great Mersey Street. Also in loving memory of LAWRENCE killed in action November 26th 1915. (Eternal Rest give unto them O Lord).

His mother received James' effects on 14th May 1919 these were listed as: 1 identity disc, religious book, cigarette case, 2 pencils, 4 blue chevrons, photographs, pocket wallet (damaged) and religious emblems.  

She also received his Soldiers Effects and the Pensions of both Lawrence and James. 

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