2390 Rifleman William Bolton, 6th Battalion The King's Liverpool Regiment (Liverpool Rifles)

Identification

The CWGC had 17 results for William Bolton. I could rule out 14 of them from the information on the certificates (born and lived in places other than Liverpool) The three that were left were from different parts of Liverpool, one was from Everton, the other two from the Toxteth Park area. I selected the William Bolton who was in the area nearest to the Church, during his life he lived in the same street as several of the other names on the memorial. Also, when I researched their births, the other William had a middle name (llewellin) which doesn't match the name on this memorial. Finally, this identification was confirmed by a newspaper notice of William’s death.

Family Information

William was born on 24th November 1894 and baptised in St Michael's Church, Toxteth, on 30th December 1894. The baptismal record shows his parents to be Richard and Margaret Bolton who lived at 29 White Street. Richard was a Ship Smith.

In the 1901 census the family lived at 13 Geraint Street. The census return shows us that Richard was born in Newton-in-Furness and Margaret in Liverpool. Margaret’s widowed father was living with them, James Brown, aged 71 and a retired mariner from Scotland.

Richard and Margaret had 5 children living with them in 1901:

Esther (daughter) single, aged 21, tailoress, born Liverpool.

Margaret (daughter) single, aged 18, assistant in shop, born Liverpool.

Annie (daughter) single, aged 14, dressmaker apprentice, born Liverpool

Richard (son) single, aged 9, born Liverpool

William, (son) single, aged 6, born Liverpool.

In the 1911 census the family lived at 45 Gwendoline St, this is the street next to Geraint Street where they lived in 1901. Margaret completed the census return, she listed herself as Head of the family and married, the census return shows that she had been married for 35 years (which means she married aged 18) and had 6 surviving children from 8 born. In 1911 Margaret was working as an office cleaner for the railway.

At home with Margaret were:

Esther, aged 31, single, sewing machinist for a tailor

Margaret, aged 28, single, shop assistant for a dairy

Richard, aged 19, single, freight clerk for a shipping office

William, aged 16, single, cooper’s apprentice

Also there, was James Brown, a nephew, aged 22, single and an unemployed ‘printer’s machine man’

Military Information

William's service records survive and show us that he volunteered early in the war, signing up on 10th September 1914 for 4 years service. He served with the 6th Battalion The King's Liverpool Regiment (The Rifles) with the regimental number 2390.

His attestation papers show that William was 19 years and 10 months of age when he enlisted.

The medical report shows that William was 5ft 9 and 1/2 inches tall and weighed 127lbs, his vision was good and his physical development was good.

William listed his family members as his mother, brother Richard, sisters Esther and Margaret all living at 14 Hemans Street and his sister Isabella (Jameson) living at 80 Madryn Street.

Details of rank:

Rifleman 10/9/14 to 30/10/14

Sergt 31/10/14 to 7/5/15

Rifleman 8/8/15 to 23/1/16 (rank reduced at own request)

Lance corporal 24/1/16 to 15/8/16

William's total service towards engagement in the territorial force to 15/8/16 (date of death) was 1 year and 341 days.

Death in consequence of gunshot wound head

William's Medal Index Card shows that he first entered a theatre of war in France on 8th August 1915 which means that, although it is not recorded on this card, he was eligible for the 1914-1915 star, the card does show he was eligible for the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

Death and Commemoration

William's record shows that he was wounded in action (gunshot wound head) on 9/8/16 and died 6 days later at 1st General Hospital, Abbeville

The Battalion Casualty Ledger (available at the Maritime Museum Archives, Liverpool) gives the following information:

Wounded in action 9/8/1916

Admitted 13 corps main dressing station 9/8/1916

Admitted 21 casualty clearing station 9/8/1916

Admitted number 1 South African General Hospital 15/8/1916 (gunshot wound head, penetrating brain) died 15/8/1916)

The 6th KLR battalion war diary for the day that William was wounded gives the following information:

TRENCHES IN FRONT OF MALTZ HORN FARM 9/8/1916

"C" Coy took over the new advanced trench from 5th Liverpools. Battalion bombers manning COCHRANE ALLEY. "A" and "B" companies in close support. There was considerable hostile shelling this day, particularly of all support trenches. At night "A" company received orders to join up the left of new advanced front line with the previous front line. Hostile machine gun and rifle fire prevented this being successfully accomplished. Casualties: 2 officers wounded; other ranks nine killed and 48 wounded. 2/Lt Adam with balance of Battalion Bombers reinforced the block in COCHRANE's ALLEY at night

William’s family made sure he was commemorated in several places in Liverpool.

The following information about the inscription on the family grave was found thanks to the ToxtethParkCemeteryInscriptions website:

Consecrated section 14, grave number 539

In memory of

Richard BOLTON,

died 24th Jany 1907, aged 57.

Also his dear wife

Margaret,

died 28th May 1934, aged 80.

Our dear mother.

*Re-united.*

Also of Annie, their daughter

died 15th Dec. 1916, aged 30.

Also of William, their son

died of wounds at Abbeville,

France, 15th Aug. 1916, aged 21.

Also of Richard, their son

died 29th April 1934, aged 43.

Steadfast. Immovable.

Always abounding in the works of the Lord.

The family had a matching inscription Steadfast, Immovable, Always Abounding in the Work of The Lord added to William's CWGC headstone. This is a quote from the Bible, 1 Corinthians, the following line is "knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain"

William is buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery, France in section VI plot J1. You can click here to view his entry on the CWGC website.

William was also commemorated the St Cleopas' Church Memorial, Toxteth (below).

His name was also added to the Roll of Honour at Liverpool Town Hall and the Book of Remembrance in the Anglican Cathedral (image below.)

His family, workmates and friends also placed several notices in the Liverpool newspapers at the time, and on the anniversaries of, his death. Here are a few examples:

William's mother received a pension of 12/6 per week for the loss of her son.