Maghull's Fallen Heroes 1914-1918

Maghull’s

Fallen Heroes 1914 - 1918

Bruce Hubbard

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Maghull’s Fallen Heroes 1914 - 1918

‘They shall grow not old… we will remember them’ One hundred years ago Maghull, like almost every town, city and village across the country, was in mourning for its men who had left their homes to fight in the Great War, never to return.

It is believed that 44 men with links to the town gave their lives for their country and its people.

The oldest was William Mawdsley, aged 59, a veteran seaman whose ship was torpedoed. The youngest were 19 years old - John Ball, James Mason and James White. They were soldiers killed in the atrocities of trench warfare.

Each of the 44 were from ÂordinaryÊ backgrounds - mostly working in routine, relatively unskilled jobs on farms, factories, offices and shops across the Maghull area which was then a sparsely populated rural community linked to Northern cities by the Leeds-Liverpool canal. Yet each made an extraordinary sacrifice.

In this 100th anniversary Great War booklet we have turned the spotlight on the fallen heroes. By studying public records, mostly available online, we have been able to write pen portraits.

Some have stronger links to Maghull than others. For some we have tracked down photographs and developed their family and military histories. And for some, we have details of their tragic, final moments.

Maghull born William Hamm (back row) won the Military Cross - see p8

You will read about remarkable men, and learn about their selfless acts. One soldierÊs gallantry earned him the prestigious Military Cross, only for him to be killed just weeks later. There is also the heartbreak of the family and friends back home. One Maghull mother saw her six sons go off to war. Three returned. Three did not.

Sources: Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy. Sources include Commonwealth War Graves Commission; Royal British Legion - Every Man Remembered; Merseyside Roll of Honour; Trinity Mirror Data Unit; Imperial War Museum; Aintree & MellingÊs Great War (1914-1918) - Bill Borland and Peter Gill; LydiateÊs Great War (1914-1918) - Pamela Russell; To Answer DutyÊs Call - Trevor W. Hildrey; Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery; Liverpool John Moores UniversityÊs WW1 Merseyside at War project and Sefton Libraries.

Credits: Debbie Bridges, William Hamm photos; Matthew Owen Andrew, Harry Woodward photo.

Cover photo: Horseman Albert Cuddy of the Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry - see p6

Roll of honour The WW1 Maghull project identified 44 servicemen linked to Maghull whose deaths are attributed to the Great War. These included 26 commemorated on the memorial at St AndrewĂŠs Church, Maghull, 13 with strong links to Maghull (e.g. born, lived or enlisted in Maghull), and 5 with no apparent link to Maghull other than dying in the town or finding the final resting place in Maghull at St AndrewĂŠs graveyard:

Richard Armstrong - age 32 George Ashcroft - age 21 John Ball - age 19 John Boyer - age 24 Herbert Bray - age 31 Neville Clark - age 30 Albert Cobham - age 22 Charles Courquin - age 29 Albert Cuddy - age 22 Hugh Dempster - age 24 Henry Elliot - age 48 William Fernihough - age 22 Herbert Finch - age 29 Philip Fox - age 27 George Greaves - age 22 William Hamm - age 20 Charles Haskayne - age 36 Walter Henretty - age 23 Percy Hollinghurst - age 20 Henry Houghton - age 33 Robert Kelly - age 26 William Lockett - age 21

James Mason - age 19 William Mawdsley - age 59 William McCarthy - age 27 George Norris - age 21 Richard Peet - age 24 John Pilkington - age 25 Mortimer Pim - age 25 Frank Prescott - age 25 Herbert Prescott - age 27 Oliver Prescott - age 23 Thomas Reynolds - age 25 John Rimmer - age 21 Frederick Rothwell - age 29 Frank Rouse - age 23 Sydney Sewell - age 21 Alfred Tattersall - age 29 James White - age 19 Joseph Woolfenden - age 26 Harry Woodward - age 27 Richard Woodward - age 32 Walter Woodward - age 21 Thomas Yates - age 38

Maghull’s Fallen Heroes 1914 - 1918

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The Fallen

Portraits of Maghull’s servicemen who gave their lives

Richard Armstrong

Age: 32 Died: 16th June 1915 Richard was one of the first Maghull men to die in the war, leaving a widow, Mary Jane, and three small children. The family lived at Bank Cottage on Green Lane.

He had seen service before the war, returning upon its outbreak and transferring from the Lancashire Fusilliers to the South Lancashire Regiment. With blue eyes, brown hair, a 37 inch chest and a magnificent moustache, Corporal Armstrong cut a fine figure. He was killed by a stray shell. He has no known grave but his name is one of 54,000 engraved on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Ypres, Belgium.

George Ashcroft

Age: 21 Died: 31st July 1917 His family owned Gore House Farm, Great Altcar, near Formby, and George went to school in Maghull.

Before the war, he joined the Territorial Army Cyclist Corps and transferred to the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment upon gaining

his commission in October 1914, serving as a lieutenant. He crossed to France after completing his training in November 1916, and was killed less than a year later in what became known as the battle of Pilckem Ridge, part of the Battle of Passchendaele. Richard has no known grave. His name is featured on the Menin Gate.

John Ball

Age: 19 Died: 26th September 1916 John Ball, a grocerÊs assistant, was a volunteer with the 8th Battalion, KingÊs (Liverpool Regiment), The Liverpool Irish. He was killed on the same day as fellow Maghull man Mortimer Pim in an attack near the Somme village of Flers. He has no known grave. His name is one of more than 73,000 engraved upon the Thiepval Memorial, France.

John Boyer

Age: 24 Died: 26th September 1916 John Boyer was one of a large Maghull family. His father Samuel was a cow keeper. John responded to the call from Lord Derby in September 1914, and joined the KingÊs (Liverpool Regiment). He was

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killed on the first day of the Third Battle of Ypres, often called Passchendaele. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate.

Herbert Bray Age: 31 Died: 2nd July 1916 Herbert grew up in Maghull, the son of James and Mary Bray. After his motherÊs death, the family moved to Walton, Liverpool, where Herbert became a master baker in his fatherÊs business. He joined the 17th (Service) Battallion, (1st City Pals), KingÊs (Liverpool Regiment) in September 1914. He saw action on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme on July 1st 1916 and died the next day.

He is commemorated at Thiepval.

His name also featured on the memorial in St Athanasius Church, Kirkdale, which was destroyed by bombing in World War II.

Neville Clark Age: 30 Died: 28th November 1917 Born in Matlock Bath, Derbyshire, where his father was the postmaster, Neville married Mary Gordon, daughter of Dr Gordon of High Pastures, Maghull, and after whom Gordon Avenue is named. He served as a lieutenant in the Coldstream Guards, and died of wounds in November 1917, aged 30, during the Battle of Cambrai. He is buried in Rocquigny-Equancourt cemetery, France.

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Albert Cobham Age: 22 Died: 22nd April 1918 Albert lived with his parents on Liverpool Road, Maghull. His father was a basket maker. The family later lived in Damfield Lane, Maghull.

Albert served as a corporal with the 1st Battallion, KingÊs (Liverpool Regiment). He was killed in April 1918 in what was refered to as Âtrench wastage.Ê He is buried in Cabaret Rouge cemetery in Souchez, France.

Charles Courquin Age: 29 Died: 5th February 1916 Charles was born in 1877, the son of the splendidly named Louis Napoleon Courquin, a shoemaker, and his wife Mary Ann. Both came from London, but his family had roots in Calais, France. Charles worked as a house porter, living in Hampstead, London, and enlisted in St Pancras. He was assigned to the Labour Section of the Army Service Corps and crossed to France in April 1915, earning him the 1914-15 Star. Private Courquin fell ill and came to Maghull Military Hospital where he died on February 5th, 1916. He is buried in St AndrewÊs Church graveyard.

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Maghull’s Fallen Heroes 1914 - 1918

Albert Cuddy

Age: 22 Died: 19th December 1917 Albert lived in Liverpool Road, Maghull, and attended Ormskirk Grammar School. He was the son of Albert and Elizabeth, and worked as an office junior for his fatherÊs business, Cuddy and Bell architects, in Hackins Hey, off Dale Street, Liverpool. He joined the Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry before the war, and served in Ireland until 1916, including being stationed at the Curragh, near Dublin. After the amalgamation of the Hussars with the KingÊs (Liverpool Regiment) , he went to France, and died of wounds sustained in battle. Private Cuddy is buried in Lijssenthoek cemetery, Belgium.

After the war his parents visited the grave, as did family members in 2017 to mark the 100th anniversary of his death. Albert is pictured on the cover of this booklet riding a horse.

Hugh Dempster

Age: 24 Died: 5th June 1916 HughÊs service records survived the Blitz and make fascinating reading.

He joined the Royal Engineers from his home in Ballymacarrett, Belfast.

He was employed as a shoeing smith at the depot in Newark until his transfer to France in February 1916 where he served as a sapper. His military record was not without

blemish, including two punishments for appearing on parade in a verminous condition, and one for failing to return a hired bicycle. In France, he contracted pneumonia, eventually coming to Maghull Military Hospital, where, despite a brandy and milk diet on his doctorÊs orders, he died at 6.50pm on 5th June 1916. A telegram was sent to his next of kin, his brother William in Belfast, but it was returned to sender as William was also serving abroad.

William was killed in the Battle of the Somme a month later before news of HughÊs fate reached him.

Henry Elliot

Age: 48 Died: 23rd February 1917 Henry was the son of a former Fleet Paymaster, Colonel Elliott of the Royal Marines Light Infantry. He was married to Julia, and they lived in Paignton, Devon. Henry, who was based upon HMS Eagle, Liverpool, contracted pneumonia and was treated at Quarry Bank House, the home of Frank Hornby, creator of Dinky, Mecanno and model railways, the officersÊ equivalent of Maghull Military Hospital. The house is now part of Maricourt High School.

Probate was granted to his widow totalling £373 17s 3d. Rather than transport his body back home to Devon she chose to bury her husband at St AndrewÊs Church, Maghull, where his grave is marked by a red marble cross.

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William Fernihough

Age: 22 Died: 10th April 1918 William was born on Dodds Lane, Maghull, but moved to Liscard, Wirral, from where he enlisted as a ÂregularÊ on July 21st, 1913, into the 10th Battallion, (Liverpool Scottish), KingÊs (Liverpool Regiment). He crossed to France in November 1914. William survived three and a half years of service abroad. He was killed in action in the spring of 1918.

Private Fernihough has no known grave, and his name is engraved on the Loos Memorial to the Missing at Dud Corner cemetery, France.

Herbert Finch

Age: 29 Died: 19th October 1917 Herbert grew up in Elm Cottage on what was Halsall Road, and is now Southport Road, on the boundary of Maghull and Lydiate, the son of James and Mary. He enlisted in Maghull and joined the 8th Battallion, York and Lancashire Regiment, serving in France and Belgium. Private Finch was killed in action during the Third Battle of Ypres, Passchendaele, in 1917. His name is on the Memorial to the Missing at Tyne Cot Cemetery.

However, he does not feature on either Maghull nor Lydiate war memorials, so his name is not read out on Remembrance Day. At least one tour guide points out his name on the memorial wall, ensuring that Herbert is not forgotten.

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Phillip Fox

Age: 27 Died: 8th June 1917 Born in Bury, Phillip lived in Maghull and enlisted in Ormskirk. He originally joined the KingÊs (Liverpool Regiment), but was transferred to the Royal Welsh Fusilliers. He went over the top near the village of Messines, Belgium, on June 7th, 1917. Badly wounded, Private Fox was rushed to the casualty clearing station at Lijssenthoek where he succumbed to his wounds the next day. He is buried in the cemetery adjacent to the hospital.

George Greaves

Age: 22 Died: 3rd July 1917 George was born in Moss Side, Maghull, but moved with his parents to Butchers Lane, Aughton, when his father James changed employment from a teamster on a farm to being a labourer at a powder works. George enlisted in Ormskirk into the KingÊs (Liverpool Regiment), and then transferred to the 176th Company of the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), operating a Lewis gun. Private Greaves was wounded and treated at Mendinghem, near Proven, Belgium, where he succumbed to his wounds.

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Maghull’s Fallen Heroes 1914 - 1918

William Hamm

Age: 20 Died: 2nd May 1917 William was born in Maghull in 1896, the son of German-born William, a master pork butcher, and Pauline. The family lived at Rose Dene, Liverpool Road. By 1911 the couple had nine children. William attended Merchant TaylorsÊ School, Crosby, for two years and then Trinity College, Dublin, before pursuing a career as a teacher in Hull. He joined one of the Hull Pals battalions, serving as a second lieutenant. In March 1917 he was awarded a Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Within six weeks he was killed in action at Arras, aged 20. He is buried in Orchard Dump cemetery, near Arras, France. In a letter to WilliamÊs parents, his colonel wrote: „He was a most keen and capable officer.‰ His battalion chaplain added: „He was beloved by everyone⁄your lad was just a splendid example of a pure, true, clean-living English lad.‰

Charles Haskayne

Age: 36 Died: 17th February 1917 One of the four sons of Charles and Mary Haskayne of Brewery Lane, Melling, Charles married Mary Agnes, and lived at Nook Cottage, Taylors Lane, Maghull. Private Haskayne was serving with the 1st Battallion, KingÊs (Liverpool Regiment), near Pozieres, on the Somme, in February 1916 when a thaw turned the land into a quagmire. The Germans bombarded the assembly trenches. Charles was wounded and died from his injuries.

He is buried at Aveluy cemetery, France. His brothers Albert and William were also killed in the war.

Walter Henretty

Age: 23 Died: 30th November 1917 Walter was born in Maghull, the son of a gardener at the Moss Side Convalescent Home. He was christened at St AndrewÊs Church on August 23rd, 1891, by the Rev J. H. Hocter. After the death of his father, he and his mother Alice moved to Everton. He enlisted as a private with the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment and was killed in action in November 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai, France. He has no known grave and his name is engraved upon the Cambrai Memorial to the Missing.

Left - Military records of William Hamm MC

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Percy Hollinghurst

Age: 20 Died: March 1918 Percy was from Kirkby and enlisted in Maghull, joining the 8th Battallion of the Cheshire Regiment. He died in the German Spring Offensive, 1918.

Although his death is recorded as 27th March his battallion were out of the line by then. It is likely he died on the 24th or 25th, defending Grevillers village. His name is on the Arras Memorial, France.

Henry Houghton

Age: 33 Died: 23rd February 1916 Henry was born in Maghull and lived with his parents on Deyes Lane. He and his wife Sarah moved to Nantwich, Cheshire. He enlisted into the KingÊs Shropshire Light Infantry.

Lance Corporal Houghton was killed during shelling in the Ypres Salient in 1916 and is buried in Essex Farm Cemetery, near Ypres, Belgium.

Robert Kelly

Age: 26 Died: 11th August 1918 Robert was from Knotty Ash, Liverpool, but enlisted in Maghull into the Royal Field Artillery. He served in the Tank Corps, operating a six pounder gun. Moving at under 4mph, tanks were targets for enemy artillery, and Robert was killed in 1918 during the Battle of Amiens, France. He is buried in nearby Heath Cemetery.

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William Lockett

Age: 21 Died: 20th September 1917 William lived on Melling Mount, but came to Maghull to enlist in the 8th Battallion (Liverpool Irish), KingÊs (Liverpool Regiment). He died in the last throes of the Third Battle of Ypres, known as Passchendaele. In the valley of the Steenbeke, the conditions were so bad that some men drowned in the mud. Private LockettÊs exact fate is not known. He is commemorated at Tyne Cot memorial.

James Mason

Age: 19 Died: 9th August 1916 James lived with his parents William and Jane in Liverpool Road, Maghull, before volunteering for the 7th Battallion, KingÊs (Liverpool Regiment). He was killed during fighting to take the village of Guillemont, on the Somme, in 1916.

He has no known grave, and his name is among those on the Thiepval memorial.

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Maghull’s Fallen Heroes 1914 - 1918

William Mawdsley

Age: 59 Died: 18th September 1918 Father-of-three William was educated in Maghull and later moved to Hoylake, Wirral, with his wife Florence. He worked as a Mersey river pilot before taking a post as second engineer on the SS Californian, operating between San Diego and Yokohama. He was then promoted to Senior Engineer on the SS Beune Ventura carrying munitions across the Atlantic. Ownership switched to the US Merchant Marine and William joined the United States Volunteer Naval Reserve. He drowned when his ship was torpedoed in the Bay of Biscay, off France. He is buried at Brookwood American Cemetery, Surrey. His name is on the family obelisk in St AndrewÊs Churchyard, Maghull, but not on the war memorial.

William McCarthy

Age: 27 Died: 15th March 1915 Born in Portsmouth in 1888, fatherof-two William worked as a boatman at Portsea. He joined the Army Service Corps before the war, and was in France by late summer 1914 – entitling him to a 1914 Star. He fell ill and was moved to Maghull, where he died in March 1915 of Âexhaustion and melancholia.Ê He shares his headstone at St AndrewÊs Church with Hugh Dempster.

George Norris

Age: 21 Died: 10th December 1917

George was born in Maghull and lived on Southport Road. He volunteered for the 6th Battallion (Liverpool Rifles), KingÊs (Liverpool Regiment). He lies in Honnechy British Cemetery, near Cambrai. It is likely that his remains were found in the 1920s and formally buried.

Richard Peet

Age: 24 Died: 18th September 1916 Richard, originally from Maghull and later living in Seacombe, Wirral, fought in the Battle of the Somme and was killed in the attack on the village of Guillemont. His death was reported in the Ormskirk Advertiser of October 12th 1916, showing that he was in the Rifle Brigade. His name is on the Thiepval Memorial.

John Pilkington

Age: 25 Died: 6th September 1917 John was born in Maghull and moved as a child with his widowed mother Sarah to Port Erin, Isle of Man. He joined the KingÊs (Liverpool Regiment) and was posted to Salonika, Greece, but transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. He was shot down over France by German air ace Werner Voss and is buried in Bailleul Communal Extension (Nord), France.

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Mortimer Pim

Age: 25 Died: 26th September 1916 Mortimer was the fourth son of Edward and Dora Pim of Linden, Maghull. They had already lost one son, killed in a riot in Bulawayo, southern Africa, whilst on diplomatic service. Mortimer joined the Cadet Force at Petersfield School, and then the 6th Battallion (Liverpool Rifles), KingÊs (Liverpool Regiment) when he returned home. He was also a founder of the first scout troop in Liverpool. He served first as a despatch rider, then an infantryman.

Rifleman Pim was wounded near Flers, on the Somme, and died of his injuries. He is buried in Heilly Station cemetery, France.

Frank Prescott

Age: 25 Died: 25th July 1916 The son of John and Mary Prescott, of Melling Lane, Maghull, Frank responded to Lord DerbyÊs call and volunteered in September 1914, joining the 18th Battallion, (2nd City Pals), KingÊs (Liverpool Regiment).

After training on what is now the car park at Knowsley Safari Park, he set off for France. Wounded early in July 1916, Private Prescott succumbed to his injuries a few weeks later at Etaples hospital, near Boulogne, where he is buried. His brother Herbert also died in the war.

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Herbert Prescott

Age: 27 Died: 1st July 1916 Herbert joined up with his brother Frank, went through the same training, and went Âover the topÊ with him on July 1st, 1916 on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme, known as the bloodiest day in British military history as 19,240 soldiers were killed. Herbert is buried in Danzig Alley cemetery on the Somme. John and Mary PrescottÊs third son Robert served in the Royal Navy and survived the war.

Oliver Prescott

Age: 23 Died: 2nd February 1917 Oliver was the son of James and Annie Prescott of Kenyons Lane, Maghull. He volunteered in November 1915, being transferred from the KingÊs (Liverpool Regiment) to the South Lancashire Regiment.

Rifleman Prescott died of wounds received early on 2nd February 1917 in Amara, Iraq, where he was buried in the war cemetery. In 1932, the headstones were lifted to form a screen wall, and years later president Saddam Hussein had it all moved into the desert some distance away.

The panels are still there, but not well maintained. The original cemetery is, however, grassed and well cared for.

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Maghull’s Fallen Heroes 1914 - 1918

Thomas Reynolds

Frederick Rothwell

Age: 25 Died: 25th September 1918 Thomas was a pre-war member of the 6th Battallion, KingÊs (Liverpool Regiment), and so may have known Mortimer Pim. His home was on Station Road, Maghull. Early in the war he was wounded, sent home to recuperate, but was out again in 1918. He was again wounded, this time mortally, and died the next day.

He is buried in Houchin cemetery, France. His widowed mother Elizabeth of Damfield Road, Maghull, paid for the inscription on his headstone - ÂEternal rest give unto him, O Lord. May he rest in Peace.

Amen.Ê

Age: 29 Died: 26th December 1918 Frederick was born in Kirkby, and by 1914 he and his wife Annie were living on Prescot Road, Melling. He enlisted in Maghull and fought with the KingÊs Own Royal Lancashire Regiment. Frederick died on Boxing Day, 1918, some six weeks after the signing of the Armistice. The circumstances of his death are not known. At the foot of his headstone in Duissans British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, his next of kin requested the epitaph - ÂGrant him, O Lord, eternal rest.Ê

John Rimmer

Age: 23 Died: 5th September 1915 At some point in 1915 while serving with the Army Veterinary Corps in France, Private Rouse fell ill and transferred to Maghull Military Hospital where he died. Originally from London, he had lived in Camberwell and Fulham with his parents Henry and Julia, and five siblings. He shares his headstone at St AndrewÊs Church, Maghull, with Charles Courquin.

Age: 21 Died: 12th October 1918 John was the son of Robert and Ellen Rimmer, and he lived at The Brook, Maghull. After enlisting with the KingÊs (Liverpool Regiment) he joined the KingÊs Shropshire Light Infantry.

The circumstances of his death at King GeorgeÊs Hospital, Ilford, Essex, are unknown. Private RimmerÊs body was brought home for burial at St AndrewÊs Church, Maghull.

13,726 Number of Great War deaths in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) database attributed to the Liverpool area including Maghull

Frank Rouse

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Sydney Sewell

Age: 21 Died: 8th August 1916 Sydney grew up in Durants Cottages, off Melling Lane, Maghull, the son of Peter and Sarah, nee Martland. He was employed on the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway at Aintree. He served as a rifleman with the KingÊs (Liverpool Regiment). It is thought that he died on the day before James Mason (see p9) whilst attacking the same area of German trench. He has no known grave. His name is one of those on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.

Alfred Tattersall

Age: 29 Died: 13th November 1916 Alfred, who grew up in Maghull, lived with his wife Mary at 36 Kingswood Avenue, Aintree. He volunteered for the 1st Battallion, KingÊs (Liverpool Regiment). Private Tattersall was killed during the attacks on Redan Ridge on the Somme in November 1916, and is buried in Serre Road Number 2 Cemetery, the largest CWGC cemetery on the Somme.

James White

Age: 19 Died: 21st October 1918 James was born in Liverpool, and enlisted in Seaforth, but lived in Maghull with his wife Edith. He was killed in action in 1918 just three weeks before the end of the war. He is buried not in a war cemetery,

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but in the civilian cemetery at Ere Church, Hainaut, Belgium. Alongside him is a fellow corporal from the KingÊs (Liverpool Regiment), William Evans, who died on the same day.

Two corporals who knew each other in life, united in death.

Joseph Woolfenden

Age: 26 Died: 28th September 1918 Joseph was a pawn broker, married to Evelyn with a young son, also Joseph. He mobilised in April 1916 and died of wounds in the attack on part of Plugsteert Wood in 1918, near to where the Christmas Truce football match occurred in 1914.

Lance Sergeant Woolfenden is buried in nearby Underhill Farm cemetery, Hainaut, Belgium.

Christmas tins In 1914 British soldiers received a gift from Princess Mary, daughter of King George and Queen Mary. It was a brass tin of pencils and either tobacco or sweets. The embossed tins were paid for by public donations. A card from Princess Mary read: ÂBest wishes for a Happy Christmas and a Victorious New Year.Ê

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Maghull’s Fallen Heroes 1914 - 1918

Harry Woodward

Age: 27 Died: 10th August 1918 Some families paid a terribly high price during the Great War, and the Woodwards of Deyes Lane, Maghull, and later Grecian Terrace, Everton, were among them. Six sons of James and Ellen Woodward set off to war ony three survived. Harry, who moved to Gosford Street, Dingle, Liverpool, after marrying Florence, was a private with the KingÊs Shropshire Light Infantry. He was killed in the last 100 days of fighting, and is buried in Sandpits cemetery, near the village of Fouquereuil, France. His family had an inscription added to his headstone - ÂUntil the day dawns and the shadows flee away.Ê

Richard Woodward

Age: 32 Died: 27th October 1917 Richard was the eldest of the three Woodward brothers to be killed.

Before the war Richard worked as an assistant to the Prosecuting Solicitor of Liverpool Corporation. He enlisted on December 8th, 1914 into the 6th Batallion (The Liverpool Rifles) KingÊs (Liverpool Regiment).

He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) in 1917, before being badly wounded in September 1918. Returning home for treatment, he died of his wounds a few weeks later and is buried in the family plot in Heswall, Wirral.

Walter Woodward

Age: 21 Died: 29th April 1918 Walter was the youngest of the Woodward boys to die in battle.

Lance Corporal Woodward of the KingÊs (Liverpool Regiment) was killed during the German Spring offensive near Ypres, Belgium, in 1918 and is commemorated at Tyne Cot memorial.

Thomas Yates

Age: 38 Died: 31st August 1916 Thomas was born in Maghull and enlisted in Chorley, where he lived with his wife, Annie. He was badly wounded, and transported for treatment at Terlincthun, on the northern French coast. Private Yates lost his fight for life on August 31st, 1916, and is buried in the nearby CWGC cemetery.

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WW1 Maghull The aim of the WW1 Maghull project was to share knowledge of how the Great War had an impact on the area, and in particular on the dozens of families of those servicemen who were killed.

Thanks to support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, children learned about the Great War over several month, working alongside history experts.

Schools taking part were St GeorgeÊs Catholic Primary School and Summerhill Primary School. Youngsters participated in WW1 cookery, singing and drama workshops. They also attended digital research workshops with Sefton Libraries staff.

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Visits took place to the local war memorials in Maghull and learning days were held at Liverpool Cathedral. Children also visited an exhibition about the Great War held at Aintree Davenhill Primary School.

One of the highlights of the project was a Remembrance Service at St AndrewÊs Church, Maghull, when pupils united with the local community to remember those who died in WW1.

A film about our project is featured on our website alongside stories and photos. Take a look at:

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