Pte 26097 Charles Henry Arkinstall

• Age: 18
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Tuesday 27th June 1916
• Commemorated at: Cerisy-gailly Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.K.18

Charles Henry Arkinstall was born on 07th July 1897 in Liverpool and was baptised on 22nd August 1897 in St Andrew's Church, Toxteth Park, Liverpool. Charles was the fourth of five children born to Charles Arkinstall, a railway signalman born in Shropshire, and his wife Alice Emily (nee Wilkes). They married in 1889 and in the 1891 Census are shown living at 14 Tramway Road, Aigburth, Liverpool.

The family are still living at 14 Tramway Road in 1901 when the Census was taken. Charles H. as he was recorded is three years of age and lives with his parents and four siblings. His father is a 35 year old railway signalman born in Haldey, Shropshire, whilst his mother is 32 years of age and was born in High Hatton also in Shropshire. His siblings, all born in Liverpool, are recorded as;  Alice E. aged 10, Frances E. aged 8, Arthur C. aged 7 and Joseph W. aged 2.   

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 9 Burdett Street, Liverpool. Both parents are resident at the property and advised that they had been married for 21 years and had five children. Three of their children are still living at home; Frances Ellen, an 18 year old pupil teacher; Charles Henry, aged 13 years; and Joseph William aged 12 years. Arthur Clifford, a 17 year old telegraph learner, is visiting his grandparents at Yew Tree Cottage, Childs Ercall, Market Drayton.

Charles Henry (Hal) was educated at Liverpool Institute. Prior to the outbreak of the war he was employed at Parrs Bank, Castle St, Liverpool.

Charles Henry enlisted in April 1915 and served in France from 29^th December 1915. He transferred from 30 Infantry Base Depot on 30th December 1915 and was attached to 2nd Entrenching Battalion  on 07th January 1916 and joined the 17th Battalion (B Company), King's Liverpool Regiment on the 19th February 1916 as Private 26097.

The British bombardment of the German lines, in preparation for the ‘Big Push’, began on 24th June 1916. On the 26th the German counter-barrage begins and inflicts quite serious losses on the 17th and 20th battalions.

The 17th Bn War Diary for 26th/27th June shows “heavy enemy bombardment of front line trenches.  Casualties: Killed O.R. 17, Wounded O.R. 57”

Hal was  one of those referred to in the diary who was killed in action on 27^th June 1916, aged 18.

He was buried close to where he fell in Maricourt Military Cemetery and his grave marked with a cross.  The cemetery was at the south-east corner of the village, on the road to Clery. It was begun by French troops in December, 1914, and was known to the French by the name of Ferme Caudron. It was taken over by British troops in August, 1915, and used until July 1916.  After the war when graves were concentrated his body was removed and reinterred in Cerisy-Gailly Cemetery where he now rests.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo dated 11th July 1916:

ARKINSTALL-- June 27, killed in action aged 21 years, Charles Henry (Hal) (Liverpool "Pals") the dearly-loved second son of Charles and Alice Arkinstall, 9, Burdett, street. 

Charles’ death was reported in the Liverpool Echo dated 21st July 1916:

ANOTHER INSTITUTE OLD BOY

Mr and Mrs Arkinstall of 9 Burdett Street, Aigburth have received notice of the death of their son Private Charles Henry Arkinstall age eighteen of the “Pals” who was killed in France.  He enlisted in April 1915 and went to the front in December.  He was educated at the Liverpool Institute and was employed at Parrs Bank, Castle Street. 

Soldiers Effects to father Charles, Pension to mother Alice Emily

Charles Henry is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

Hall of Remembrance inside Liverpool Town Hall at Panel 16 Right

Liverpool Institute now situated within the grounds of the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts,

Nat West Bank in Liverpool City Centre 

St Michael in the Hamlet Church of England Church and School memorials.

His brother, Arthur Clifford, enlisted as Private 2372 in the 10^th (Liverpool Scottish) Battalion (TF) on 18^th December 1911, giving his age as 17 years 9 months, his occupation as telegraphist with the Post Office, and his home address as 9 Burdett Street. He was embodied on 5^th August 1914 and was appointed Acting Lance Corporal (01.11.1914) and Acting Corporal (02.02.1915) but on 15^th May 1915 was discharged as being no longer fit for service.

His father died in the March quarter of 1945 aged 79.

His mother died in the December quarter of 1956 aged 87.

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