Pte 32623 Arthur Swale Myers

• Age: 27
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: 1/6 Kings
• Died on Tuesday 9th April 1918
• Commemorated at: Browns Road Cem
  Panel Ref: III.C.20

Arthur Swale Myers was born in Liverpool on 15th March 1891 the son of Thomas Albert Myers and his wife Margaret(nee Swale) who were married on the 12th Jan 1879 at St George, Everton. Thomas was a 21 year old oil refiner of 31 Hamilton Rd, father William deceased, whilst Margaret was aged 22 of 28 Fishguard St, father John. He was baptised on 22nd April 1891 at St Luke, Liverpool, father was a provision dealer of 18 Roscoe Lane. After the war his parents were living at "Vaux", Menlove Avenue in Liverpool.  

He was educated at Granby Street school where his admission was 1895. He entered the Collegiate school on 11th January 1905 where he is described as being 13 years and 10 months. His former school is shown as Lawrence Road Council School. 

Arthur was a member of the Hartington Road Congregational Church.

The 1901 Census shows the family are living at 18 Egerton Road, Wavertree. His father is an electrician, born in Sheffield in 1858 whilst his mother was born in Kettlewell in 1857. Arthur is 10 years of age and his siblings are;  Emma b.1882, Joseph b.1884, George b.1889 and Richard  b.1895.    

The 1911 census shows the family are still living at 18 Egerton Road, Wavertree. His parents are both still present. Arthur is 20 years of age and is shown as a Clerk. Two brothers are still living at the property, George Frederick aged 22 and Richard Arnold aged 16.      

He was a clerk at a Provisions Merchant before he enlisted in Liverpool, joining the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 32623. 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 19th 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. The 20th Battalion arrived in France on 7th November 1915.

Arthur was wounded at Arras on 09th April 1917. Upon his return to active service he was transferred to the 6th Battalion KLR on 16th December 1917.

He was killed in action on 09/04/1918 aged 26.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Daily Post on 03rd May 1918: 

Private Arthur S. Myers, K.L.R (late Pals) was wounded in France on April 9, 1917 and killed in action on the same day in 1918. His father, Mr. T. A. Myers, of 18, Egerton road, had his four sons and his only son-in law with the colour. Two have already received commissioned, another two have already been discharged after having been seriously wounded, and the eldest son, Albert, who enlisted in Canada, has been in hospital since September, 1917. All the boys have been actively identified with Hartington-road Congregational Church. 

Arthur now rests at Brown's Road Military Cemetery, Festubert in France at plot III.C.20 where his headstone bears the poignant epitaph:

"THIS CROSS IS SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF OUR BELOVED BOY".

Festubert was occupied by Commonwealth forces in October 1914 and on 23-24 November, the Indian Corps repulsed a German attack. The Battle of Festubert (15-25 May 1915) resulted in a short advance which left the village somewhat less exposed than it had been. Except for an advance which was attempted just to the south of Festubert (the Second Action of Givenchy, 15-16 June 1915), this sector remained quiet until 9 April 1918 and the beginning of the Battle of the Lys. Festubert was held by the 55th (West Lancashire) Division against the German assault, and successive attacks lasting through the month were repelled by the 1st and other Divisions. It remained an outpost for Commonwealth forces until the final advance began in September 1918. The cemetery was begun in October 1914, and carried on by fighting units and field ambulances until November 1917, when it contained 299 graves. It was greatly enlarged after the Armistice when graves were brought in from small cemeteries and isolated sites on the surrounding battlefields. 

Brown's Road Cemetery now contains 1,071 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 407 of the burials are unidentified but special memorials commemorate three casualties believed to be buried among them. The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden.

Arthur is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Granby Street Old Boys (now situated in Tunnel Furnishing Co. Edge Hill, Liverpool).

Hartington Road Congregational Church (now situated in Earle Road URC).

Grateful thanks are extended to Kevin Shannon for his input in this biography, his book The Liverpool Rifles gives an extensive overview of the 1/6th Battalion actions in the Great War.

His father died, aged 73 on the 03rd October 1931. 

Probate:- 

MYERS Thomas Albert of Vaux, 31 Menlove Avenue Liverpool died 3 October 1931 Probate London 25 November to George Frederick Myers manager and William John Jones importer. Effects £4922 17s. 

His mother died, aged 80, on the 16th February 1937 whilst living in Newcastle. 

Her death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 17th February 1937: 

MYERS - February 16, at Newcastle-on-Tyne, MARGARET (late of Menlove Avenue), beloved widow of Thomas Albert Myers. Interment at Holy Trinity, Wavertree. Funeral arrangements later. (Flowers to W. R. Williams 106 Smithtown Road.) 

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