Pte 136181 Edwin Williams

• Age: 19
• From: Heswall, Cheshire
• Regiment: MGC (29 BN)
• Died on Monday 22nd April 1918
• Commemorated at: Cinq Rues Bc
  Panel Ref: B.18

Edwin was born in Hoylake in the March quarter of 1899 the son of William Williams and his wife Lydia Ann (née Clark). Edwin was baptised on 9th April 1899.

His father, born in Heswall, and his mother, from Liverpool, married in Birkenhead in 1898 and had four children.  Edwin had younger sisters Mary, born in late 1900, but died at age 1, Lucy May born in 1902 died in infancy, and Agnes, born in 1903/4.

The 1901 Census shows the family are living at Hillside Road, Heswall. Edwin is 2 years of age, his father, William is a labourer by trade, born in Heswall, whilst his mother Lydia Ann was born in Liverpool. Edwin is the only son and has a baby sister, May who was born in 1901 and is 6 months old. Also present are two visitors and one servant. 

The 1911 Census shows the family are still living at Hillside Road. Both parents are still in the household, his father, is 43, and is an assurance agent,  whilst his mother is 44.  Edwin is 12, and Agnes is 7,  both are at school. Sadly, there is no record of May. 

His father died in the summer of 1913, aged 45, when Edwin was 14 years old.

Edwin enlisted in Liverpool and was originally serving with the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 27362. 

The amount of the War Gratuity suggests that he enlisted in the spring of 1915, when he would have been 16 years old, having to lie about his age. Unfortunately, his service record has not survived, but the Medal Roll shows only overseas service with the M.G.C. so Edwin must have been transferred from the K.L.R. before shipping overseas.  He would have turned 19 in early 1918.

The Machine Gun Corps was formed in October 1915 in response to the need for more effective use of machine guns on the Western Front, with Infantry, Cavalry, and Motor branches. A depot and training centre was established at Belton Park in Grantham, Lincolnshire, and a base depot at Camiers in France. The Infantry Branch was by far the largest and was formed by the transfer of battalion machine gun sections to the M.G.C. These sections were grouped into Brigade Machine Gun Companies, three per division.  New companies were raised at Grantham. In 1917, a fourth company was added to each division. In February and March 1918, the four companies in each division were formed into a Machine Gun Battalion. 

The 29th Bn was formed on 15th February 1918 from the 86th, 87th, 88th, and 227th M.G. Companies, as part of the 29th Division. The 86th, 87th, and 88th Companies had joined the 29th Division on 26 February 1916, at El Kubri, Egypt, and the 227th joined the Division on 20 July 1917.  

In April 1918 they took part in the Battles of the Lys:  Estaires and Messines 10th-11th April, Hazebrouck 12th-13th, and Bailleul 13th-14th. 

Edwin was killed in action on 22nd April 1918, aged19.

He now rests at Cinq Rues British Cemetery in France where his headstone bears the poignant epitaph:

"IN THE BOYHOOD OF HIS DAYS HE PLAYED A MAN'S PART"

The cemetery was used chiefly by the field ambulances and fighting units of the 29th Division from April to August 1918 for the burial of Commonwealth casualties sustained during the German offensive. 

CWGC records show his next of kin as the late William and Lydia Williams of Ivy Cottage, Hillside, Heswall.

Edwin earned the Victory Medal and British War Medal, the latter being returned (code “RVB9/72, d.13/4/72”, significance unknown). 

His Army effects went to his mother and sister Agnes, and the War Gratuity of £13-10 to his mother (Soldiers’ Effects shows 31st Bn MGC). 

His documents were received in the Pension Office in December 1918, the reason for the delay not known. In March 1919 his mother, at Ivy Cottage, Hillside, was awarded a pension of 5/- a week backdated to November 1918. 

In 1939 his mother Lydia, 74, is still living at Ivy Cottage.  Living with her is married daughter Agnes, 35, a draper’s shop assistant, and her husband. 

His mother lived through the Second World War and died in 1948, aged 81. 

Edwin is commemorated on the following memorials-

St. Peter’s Church, Heswall

Heswall WW1 Roll of Honour

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