Pte 41818 William Coleman

• Age: 20
• From: Old Swan, Liverpool
• Regiment: 2/6 North Staffs 20th Btn
• Died on Monday 15th April 1918
• Commemorated at: Bailleul Cc Etn
  Panel Ref: III.F.117

William Coleman was born in Old Swan, Liverpool on 01st February 1898, the son of John Coleman and his wife Mary (nee Jump). He was baptised on 12th February 1898 at St Oswald's R.C. Church, Old Swan. His parents married in Liverpool in 1884. 

On the 1891 census the family are living at 50 Broadgreen Road (Birchfield Cottage), Old Swan, Liverpool.  Hois father, John, is a 39(?) year old farm labourer born in Ireland, whilst his mother, Mary, is aged 37(?) born in St Helens. Their children atre listed as;  James aged 5 born in Broadgreen, Mary Catherine aged 3 born in Wavertree and Ann aged 1 born in Old Swan.

There was a daughter, Ellen, born in 1888 who sadly died in infancy in the March quarter of 1889. 

On the 1901 census the family are living at 12 Waterloo Street, Wavertree, but William is not present. Both parents are present as are his six siblings: James is a 15 year old farm labourer, Ann is 11, John is 9, Walter is 6, and Elizabeth is 3. The family have a boarder staying with them; John Clesham a 46 year old bricklayer born in ireland. 

On the 1911 census William is aged 12, at school living at 1 Alexandra Street, Old Swan, Liverpool. His father John is recorded as being aged 50 and employed as a brick setters labourer born in Roscommon, Ireland, whilst his mother Mary is shown as being aged 49. They advise that they have been married for 19 years and have had 6 children. His sister Elizabeth is declared on the Census, she is aged 14 and at school

William's mother died shortly after the census in the December quarter of 1911, aged 48.

He was educated at St Oswald's Catholic school and prior to enlistment he was employed by Mr John Kellett of Wavertree. According to Gores Directory John Kellett and Sons was a grocers with its head office at 125 Picton Rd, Wavertree, and  a branch at 26 St Oswald St, Old Swan.

William enlisted in Liverpool joining the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 29172. His service records survive and show that William had his medical 25th May 1915 at Coopers Buildings, Liverpool. He was described as being; height 5' 1 1/4", weight not clear, chest 34", age 19 ( he was actually 17), a warehouseman, with fair development and a scar on his abdomen. He gave his next of kin as his father John Coleman 12 Arnold Grove, and advised that his mother was deceased.

He embarked 0n 30th March 1916 from Folkestone aboard S.S. Invicta.

31st March 1916 - Joined at Etaples.

14th April 1916 - No.2 Ent'g Btn (entrenching)

26th May 1916 - Joined 20th Battalion K.L.R.

24th June 1916 - to Field Ambulance with trench feet

11th November 1916 - Returned to England from Le Tourquet

12th-20th Nov 1916 - admitted 4th Northern General Hospital in Lincoln with trench feet

He remained at home until 28th May 1917

30th May 1917 - Embarked for France

31st May 1917 - Posted to 11th Battalion K.L.R. at Etaples

16th June 1917 - Posted to 17th Battalion K.L.R. C Coy at Etaples

09th July 1917 - Posted to 20th Battalion K.L.R.

At Home 10th Sept 1917 - 26th March 1918

28th Mar 1918 - Joined and posted to 19th Battalion K.L.R.

29th Mar 1918 - transferred to 2/6 North Staffordshire Regiment. 

William was killed in action, aged 20, on 15th April 1918.

He was reported missing in the Weekly Casualty List 25th June 1918 with the North Staffordshire Regt. 

Coleman 41818 H.(sic) (Liverpool)

A newspaper report on 28th November 1918, some 7 months after his death advised:

ONE OF THE "PALS"

Private William Coleman K.L.R. youngest son of Mr John Coleman 12 Arnold Grove, Wavertree, reported missing on April 15, now officially reported killed. Aged twenty, he was educated at St. Oswald's Catholic School, and was employed with Mr. John Kellitt, Wavertree. Two brothers are with the colours. Sadly mourned. 

William now rests at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in France where his headstone bears the poignant epitaph from his father:

"WITH LOVING HEART FOND AND TRUE FOR EVER I REMEMBER YOU. FATHER"   

Soldiers Effects and Pension to father John. 

On the 1939 register his widowed father John is living with his daughter Mary C. Sixsmith at 29 Sandown Lane, Liverpool (b.17/3/1860)

His father died aged 83 in the March quarter of 1944.

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

Note of Interest: On William's enlistment papers he gave his address as 12 Arnold Grove, Wavertree, Liverpool. This is the birthplace and early childhood home of George Harrison, one of The Beatles.