Cpl 15632 William David Crail

• Age: 30
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Sunday 28th April 1918
• Commemorated at: Tyne Cot Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 31-34

William David Crail was born in Liverpool in the December quarter of 1887 the son of Robert Crail and his wife Mary (nee Irvine) who were married on the 06th January 1881 at 1st Presbyterian Church, Ballynahinch, County Down.

On the 1891 census he was aged 3 living at 42 Empress Road, Kensington, Liverpool. His father, Robert is a 37 year old baker born in Ireland, whilst his mother, Mary, is 38 years of age and was also born in Ireland. His siblings are shown as; siblings Sarah E. E. 9 born in Liverpool, Robert 7 born Ireland, Thomas I. 4 months born in Liverpool.

On the 1901 Census he was aged 13 living at 113 Saxony Road, Kensington.

His father, Robert, is aged 47 and is a foreman baker, mother Mary is 49. His siblings at home are listed as; Sarah E. E. 19 dressmaker, Robert 17 clerk, Thomas I. 10, John 9, Mary I.J. 7.

On the 1911 census he was aged 23 and a cotton salesman living at 4 Adderley Street, Edge Lane, Liverpool.

His father Robert is 57 and still a baker, his place of birth now shown as Seaforde, Co.Down, mother Mary  is 59 born in Kinelarty Co.Down. His parents advise that they have been married for 30 years and have had eight children six of whom have survived. His siblings are listed as Sarah Ellen Eliza 29, Robert 27 clerk, Thomas Irvine 20 shipping clerk, John 19 shipping clerk, Mary Irvine Jones 17 typist for commercial agents.

David was employed by Harris Bros & Co, Corn Merchants prior to the outbreak of the war.

He enlisted in St George's Hall, Liverpool on 31st August 1914 joining the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 15632.

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th 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. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

He had reached the rank of Corporal No 15632 when he was killed in action on the 28^th April 1918, aged 30, during the German Spring Offensive. Details of the action in which David was killed are contained in the Battalion Diary:

By the 25^th April the battalion had taken up positions of readiness in the Voormezeele sector. On the night of the 27^th, at 8.30 p.m. they moved to the line to relieve 4^th Bn, relief completed about 1 a.m.

28^th – At about 1 p.m. a company of composite battalion gave way on the left of our line and the Bosche penetrated from the Canal Bank to the left of my battalion front, which position he maintained despite 5 hours fighting. My reserve company was ordered to counter-attack and restore the position at 7.45 p.m. but enemy laid down a barrage at 7.43 a.m. and the counter attack was unable to proceed. The enemy bombardment lasted until 10.30 p.m. and I then organised a defensive flank. 

David has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium. 

Those United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after August 16th 1917 are named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war.

The Tyne Cot Memorial now bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Joseph Armitage and F.V. Blundstone, was unveiled by Sir Gilbert Dyett on 20 June 1927.

The memorial forms the north-eastern boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery, which was established around a captured German blockhouse or pill-box used as an advanced dressing station.

A newspaper report of his death states:  

Corporal David Crail, of Wallasey, killed in action, joined the "Pals" in August 1914 being previously with Harris Bros & Co., corn merchants. He was very popular at the Atlantic newsroom.

Whilst another records:

Liscard Corporal Killed

Mr and Mrs Robert Crail, 132,Wallasey Road, have received notification that their second-son, Corporal W. David Crail, King’s Liverpool Regt., was killed in action on April 28. He was 31 years of age, and joined the “Pals,” and had been 2½ years in France. He represented Messrs. Harris and Co., corn brokers, Liverpool on the Corn Exchange, and attended Wallasey Presbyterian Church. An other son is serving with the colours in Mesopotamia. 

Probate: 

CRAIL William David of 132 Wallasey Road, Liscard Corporal 17th Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment died 28th April 1918 at Vormezeale Flanders Administration (with Will) Chester 15 February to Mary Crail (wife of Robert Crail) effects £652 18s 9d.

Soldiers Effects and Pension to mother Mary, 132 Wallasey Rd, Liscard. 

David is commemorated on the following memorials:

Liverpool Corn Trade Association, now housed in Our Lady and St Nicholas' Church Liverpool

Wallasey Roll of Honour.

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