Pte 23777 William Cartwright

• Age: 23
• From: Manchester
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Thursday 10th October 1918
• Commemorated at: Montay Communal Cem
  Panel Ref: 12

William Cartwright was born in Manchester on the 01st April 1895, the son of Ralph Cartwright and his wife Elizabeth (nee Davies). His parents married in 1878. William was baptised with his brother Sam on the 19th October 1898 at St Gabriel's Church, Hulme. Sam, sadly, died in infancy in the June quarter of 1889.

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 10 Primrose Hill, Chorlton. William is 6 years of age, at school and is living with his parents and five siblings. His father is aged 49, born in Congleton, Cheshire and is employed as a corporation labourer, whilst his mother is recorded 43 and also born in Congleton. William's five siblings, all born in Manchester are recorded as: Annie aged 17 and a mat weaver, Ellen aged 15 is a confectioner, George aged 13 is a van boy, Alice aged 10 is at school as is Ralph aged 8. 

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 13 Yew Street, Hulme, Manchester. William is now aged 16, and is a labourer in a paint shop. His father Ralph is shown as aged 58 and his occupation is recorded as a  labourer (flagger) whilst his mother Elizabeth is shown as being aged 51. They have been married for thirty two years and have had ten children of which two had sadly died. His siblings listed in the household are Ralph aged 23, born 1893 is a labourer, and Florence aged 8 was born 1903. The children were all born in Manchester.    

He enlisted in Manchester originally serving in the 14th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment.

His father died in the June quarter of 1915, aged 63.

William served in Salonika and was hospitalised in the 66th Field Ambulance and 28th General Hospital suffering from Malaria between 12th March and 24th March 1917.

He was transferred to the 18^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 23777 and he was killed in action on the 10^th October 1918 during the hundred days offensive which ended the First World War (8^th August-11^th November 1918). He was 23 years of age.

On 7th October 1918 the 18th Bn arrives at the Hindenburg Line and pursues the retreating German army.  The battalion War Diary records -  

10th October 1918 - At 0230 hours the battalion moved forward to a position near RUEMONT, and attacked towards LE CATEAU at 0510.  Very little opposition was met with at the start but later considerable M.G. fire was encountered. …  Our right company was not in touch with the flank, and the troops on the right appeared to be held up by M.G. fire from the railway embankment … A short length of trench on the high ground immediately E. of LE CATEAU was also reported to be held by the enemy.  At 0848 the Centre Coy reached K.33.b and pushed a platoon into the N. W. outskirts of LE CATEAU.  The right company was temporarily held up by MG and sniper fire, but appeared to be almost in the town itself.  Hostile M.G. fire was reported from the direction of Q.10. … Houses in K.28.a were reported to be strongly held by the Bosche, and a patrol was sent out to investigate and deal with them. … During the advance on LE CATEAU considerable difficulty was experienced, owing to a “whizz bang” battery being able to fire over open sights at the troops as they moved up the rise and along a slight valley.

Total Casualties from 7th to 13th October:

Killed – 2 Officers, 18 O.R.

Wounded – 6 Officers, 111 O.R.

Died of Wounds – 1 O.R.

Wounded and Missing – 1 Officer, 20 O.R.

He was reported Missing in the local press dated 27th November 1918:

Pte W. Cartwright (23777), B Company, 18th Kings Liverpool Regiment, missing since October 10. - Sister, Mrs Finch, 6 Romford Street, Hulme. 

William now rests at Montay Communal Cemetery, France.

Montay was reached by Commonwealth forces on 10 October 1918; most of those buried in this communal cemetery died between 19 October and 6 November 1918, but there is one grave from August 1914. The cemetery contains 27 Commonwealth burials of the First World War.

His effects were sent to his brother Ralph and sister Annie. His pension went to sister Florence A. Cartwright, 6 Rumford St, Hulme

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