Cpl 15874 William Henry Charles Askew

William Henry Charles (Willie) was born in the September quarter of 1892 in Rugby to William Frederick Askew a Newport Pagnell born Shipping Freight Clerk and  his Huntingdonshire born wife Charlotte. (nee Foster). They married in St Neots Huntingdon in the September quarter of 1884. They had 9 children Wiliam was their 2nd son, sadly 3 died pre 1911. William was baptized 9 months later at St Matthias Church, Stoke Newington on 11 June 1893 when  his father is shown as a clerk was living at 85 Spenser Rd, Stoke Newington. 

On the 1901 Census the family have moved the Wirral and are living at 86 Greendale Road, Lower Bebington. His father, William, is aged 42 and  is a commercial clerk born in Buckinghamshire, his mother, Charlotte, is aged 32 and was born in Huntingdonshire. They have five children, Gertrude 15 who was born in Huntingdonshire, Percy F. 11 and 8 year old scholar Willie were both born in Warwicks, Arthur aged 4 and Florence aged 1were born in Port Sunlight.

Between 1907 and 1911 Willie serves in the 4th Cheshire Territorials.

The 1911 Census finds the family now living at 13 Eldon Road, Rock Ferry. His father, William is now aged 52 and is now employed as a freight clerk, his mother, Charlotte, is aged 42 with no occupation listed. They have been married 26 years and have had nine children of which three had died. The have five children living at home at the taking of the Census, Percy Frederick 21 is a paint labourer, Willie 18 is an Insurance Clerk with Marine Insurance Company, Broderick, Leitch & Kendal, Cecil aged 14 is a railway clerk, Florence Lottie 11 at school and Iris Ena aged 4 who was born in Rock Ferry.

On 31 August 1914 Willie enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool into the 17th Battalion (Pals) of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 15874. He is described as being 5 foot 9 inches in height,weighing 118 lbs with a 34 inch chest, is of sallow complexion with grey eyes ans fair hair. His religion is Church of England. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 23 November 1914 and subsequently to Corporal on 3 April 1915. He was training at Prescot and Knowsley before further training at Belton Park, Grantham and at Lark Hill Camp, Salisbury Plain for 1 year 68 days to 6 November 1915. Then on 07th November 1915 he reached France for the remaining 248 days of his life. On 19/01/1916 he was reprimanded in the field. Then 7/06/1916 he had leave until 16/06/1916 it is not known whether he was able to return home during these dates.

 

Willie was killed in action as a result of shellfire on the 12th July 1916 aged 24.

 

He now rests at Peronne Rd Cemetery Maricourt I.G. 16 where his headstone bears the epitaph:

"UNTIL THE DAWN BREAKS"

Maricourt was, at the beginning of the Battles of the Somme 1916, the point of junction of the British and French forces, and within a very short distance of the front line; it was lost in the German advance of March 1918, and recaptured at the end of the following August.

The Cemetery, originally known as Maricourt Military Cemetery No.3, was begun by fighting units and Field Ambulances in the Battles of the Somme 1916, and used until August 1917; a few graves were added later in the War, and at the Armistice it consisted of 175 graves which now form almost the whole of Plot I. It was completed after the Armistice by the concentration of graves from the battlefields in the immediate neighbourhood and from certain smaller burial grounds.

There are now 1348, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, 366 are unidentified and special memorials are erected to 26 soldiers from the United Kingdom known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials record the names of three soldiers from the United Kingdom, buried in other cemeteries, whose graves could not be found.

The cemetery covers an area of 3,787 square metres and is enclosed on three sides by a low red brick wall.

The Birkenhead News covered the death of Willie Askew in its edition of 29th July 1916 and contained information about how he was killed under the header:

"Not Afraid to Die"

Corporal Askew, Rock Ferry, Killed.
  
Mr and Mrs Askew of 13 Eldon Road, Rock Ferry have received news of the death in action of their second son, Corporal William Askew, who was killed on July 12th whilst serving with the 17th Service Battalion ("Pals") K.L.R. This young soldier - he was 24 years of age - was home only last June looking fit and well.

From his Captain, Mr and Mrs Askew have recieved the following sympathetic letter:

"I am writing to say how deeply I sympathise with you on the death of your son, Corporal Askew. He has been in this company from the start and the men from his platoon were very fond of him indeed, and would follow him anywhere. He was a very fine man and one whom we all liked and shall miss very much. I have lost, by the death of your son and others of this Company, some friends whom I shall always remember for their fine bearing and behaviour during great hardships".

His friend Lance Corporal John A Hailing writes:

"When our Company went into action last, Willie did not go with us as he had been put in charge of a carrying party in the village behind the lines. I might just mention that we suffered rather heavily in the attack and I thought that Willie would be quite all right behind the lines. Unfortunately, on the 12th inst.. the night we were relieved, the Germans bombarded the village where he was and Willie and another pal of mine were both killed by the bursting of a shell. Next day when I heard the sad news I immediatley went and saw those who were with him during his last moments and they all assured me that he suffered no pain, his last words being that he was not afraid to die. He died like a true brave soldier. We have had a number of losses in our platoon but I can honestly say that none have been more missed than Willie. He was always cheerful and happy even under the most adverse circumstances and I have been asked by all of his comrades in the platoon to tender your their deepest sympathy".

The late Corporal had been employed by the Marine Insurance Co. Liverpool for ten years and had gained the affection and respect of his business friends. He was a very keen golfer and often played on the Prenton golf links. He belonged to the Richmond A.F.C. Two other sons are serving.            

 

Liverpool Echo 12th Aug 1916

KILLED

Corporal W. H. Askew, ("Pals",) second son of Mr and Mrs Askew, 13 Eldon Road, Rock Ferry. He was one of the first to join from the firm of Messrs. Broderick, Leitch and Kendal, marine insurance company.

Liverpool Echo 13th July 1917

ROLL OF HONOUR

ASKEW - In loving memory of our beloved boy, Corporal W. H. ASKEW (Willie), Pals, killed July 12, 1916, aged 24 years. (Fondly loved; Sadly missed) - His sorrowing Mother and all at 13 Eldon Road, Rock Ferry.

ASKEW - In loving memory of our darling Willie, K.L.R. (17th Pals), who was killed in France July 12, 1916.

The bugle calls, he hastens forth.

The bravest in the battle's van;

Remember he who yields his life

Is a soldier and a man.

A.E.T.

Birkenhead News 8th Aug 1917 - father died

ASKEW - Aug 3rd, at 13 Eldon Rd, Rock Ferry, William Frederick, beloved husband of Charlotte.

 

Liverpool Echo 12th July 1918

IN MEMORIAM

ASKEW - In fond and loving memory of Corporal W. ASKEW, Liverpool Pals, killed July 12, 1916. (Sadly missed by his loving Mother, Sisters and Brother Percy and Cecil.) Also of WILLIAM FREDERICK, father of the above who died August 3, 1917. - 13 Eldon Road, Rock Ferry.

 

Willie is commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance inside Liverpool Town Hall at Panel 16 Right.

 

His Mother Charlotte Askew of 13 Eldon Rd Rock Ferry received his pay of £14 : 0s : 11d on 9 Jan 1917

 

A War Gratuity of £9:10s was also sent to her on 17 September 1919.


His two brothers also served and survived the war

Percy Frederick Askew 130481 Royal Engineers  

Arthur Cecil Askew 128019 Royal Army Service Corps.