Pte 30918 Edwin Albert Faint (Finch)

• Age: 19
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: 1 MANCHESTERS
• Died on Saturday 3rd February 1917
• Commemorated at: Basra Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 31 & 64

Edwin Albert was born 13th February 1897 in Liverpool, the son of Charles Faint and his wife Harriet (nee Lane) who were married on the 01st June 1892 at St. John The Evangelist Church, Everton. Charles was 21 year old postman of 4 Millard Grove, father Charles deceased, whilst Harriet was aged 18 of 22 Low Hill, father John deceased. 

Edwin was educated at Newsham School, Liverpool.

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 32, Mansell Road, Liverpool. His father, Charles, is aged 30, born in Lucan, Dublin, Ireland in 1871 is a postman, his mother, Harriet, is aged 25, born 1876 in Clare, Ireland and has no occupation listed. They have two children at the time of the Census, Gertrude aged 6, born 1895 and Edwin Albert aged 4, born 1897 and both were born in Liverpool.

The 1911 Census shows the family still living at 32, Mansell Road, Liverpool. His father, Charles, is aged 40, born 1871 is still a postman and his wife Harriet aged 34 has no occupation listed. They have been married for nineteen years and have had four children, who have survived. The children are still living with them at the time of the Census, Gertrude aged 17, is a shorthand typist, Edwin Albert aged 14 and Mabel aged 9 are both at school and Charles Wilfred aged 4 is at home. 

He enlisted in Liverpool on 15th January 1915 joining the 18th Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 24791. He lied about his age upon enlistment giving his age as 19 years when he was just short of his 18th Birthday. It appears he may have also given Finch as a false name, however, a letter from his mother concerning a Memorial Scroll suggests it was an error made at the time of enlistment that led to him serving as Finch. He is described upon enlistment as being 5 foot 3 and a half inches tall and a Motor Mechanic by trade.

He had a series of transfers following enlistment in the 18th Battalion as he was posted to Depot on the 29th April 1915 then 3rd Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment on the 20th July 1915, 21st Battalion on the 04th September 1915 before his final transfer to the 1st Battalion of the Manchester Regiment on the 07th November 1915.

His service record suggests that Edwin Albert was a bit of a character as he was absent without leave on numerous occasions between June and December 1915 receiving punishment such as confined to barracks or forfeiture of pay. Additionally, he was charged for breaking out of barracks, leaving an untidy bed, irregular conduct on physical drill, insubordinate conduct, late for parade, and disobedience of brigade orders.  

Following his transfer to the Manchester Regiment, as Private 30918, he left the UK for India on the 25th February 1916 reaching Bombay on 17th March 1916. He then left to India join the battalion in the Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force.

Edwin Albert was killed in action, aged 19, on the 03rd February 1917 and is commemorated on the Basra Memorial in modern day Iraq. The memorial lists him as FAINT but correctly identifies that he served as FINCH.

The Basra Memorial commemorates more than 40,500 members of the Commonwealth forces who died in the operations in Mesopotamia from the Autumn of 1914 to the end of August 1921 and whose graves are not known. The memorial was designed by Edward Warren and unveiled by Sir Gilbert Clayton on the 27th March 1929.

He was remembered by his family in the Liverpool Evening Express on 14th February 1919: 

Roll of Honour. 

Faint - In loving 22nd birthday remembrance of Private A. E. Faint (our Ted), 1st Manchester Regt. (late Pals), killed in action, Feb 3, 1917, in Mesopotamia. (Fondly remembered by father, mother, brother and sisters, also Will.)  

He was one of the noble thousands  

Who answered the country's call; 

In years he was young, in strength he was strong,  

And he gave up his life for us all.

His family paid tribute to Edward in the Liverpool Evening Express on Saturday 03rd February 1923; 

FAINT - In ever-loving memory of my brother, Private E. A. FAINT (Our Ted), Manchester Regt (late Pals), killed in action 1917. (Always remembered by his sister and brother-in-law, Gert and Will.)   

He is also commemorated on the Boaler Street School Memorial, Everton which is now situated in the main hall of Butler County Primary School, Everton.

Soldiers Effects of £3 10s and war gratuity £8 10s went to his father Charles E. and pension to his mother Harriet. 

His father died, aged 75, on the 14th January 1946 at Broadgreen Hospital and was buried on the 18th January at West Derby Cemetery. 

Probate:- 

FAINT Charles Edwin of 32 Mansell Road Liverpool 6 died 14 January 1946 at Broad Green Emergency Hospital Liverpool 14 Administration Liverpool 8 March to Harriett Faint widow. Effects £371 0s 6d. 

His mother died, aged 76, on the 26 January 1951 at Belmont Road Hospital and was buried on the 01st February at West Derby Cemetery. 

Probate:- 

FAINT Harriet widow of 32 Mansell Road Liverpool 6 died 26 January 1951 at 42 Belmont Road Liverpool 6 Administration Liverpool 6 March to Mabel Simpson (wife of Albert Isaac Simpson). Effects £182 2s. 

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