Ainsdale's fallen Service men and women

Ainsdale’s War Memorial is situated on the village green, Liverpool Road, Ainsdale and lists the names of 49 Service men and one military nurse who died in battle during WW1.

Some of the men and women have additional information about their lives and where they were born or lived before the war.

SurnameFirst NameRankService No.Regiment/Ship/ SquadronLast known addressDiedAge at deathBurial place and/or memorial where commemoratedBiography Medals
AughtonEdmund WadsworthStoker 1st ClassK/132401Royal Navy, HMS "Invincible"54 Eastbourne Road, Birkdale21/05/191621Portsmouth Naval MemorialEdmund was killed at the Battle of Jutland on 31st May 1916 whilst serving aboard HMS Invincible.
Ball(Robert) ErnestPrivate212072Labour Corps17/10/1918Birkdale Cemetery, SouthportErnest was born in Ainsdale. He enlisted in the Devon Labour Corps as a private in June 1917. He died on October 10th, 1918 and was buried in Birkdale Cemetery.
BallLeonard3320619th Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment19 Pinfold Lane, Ainsdale24/03/191828Leonard's pension records show  that he enlisted on 10 March 1916. His original service number was 5008, which was later changed to 332061. He was posted overseas on the 18 February 1917, but by this date he had already started to exhibit the symptoms of diabetes. He spent just over a month on the Western Front before he was invalided back to the UK on 20 March 1917. He was described by the medical board as wasted. He was discharged from the army with a 100% pension on 17 May 1917, dying on 24 March 1918. He is not officially war dead as he died after being discharged.
BarronNormanSapper4493088th Field Company, Royal Engineers39 Station Road, Ainsdale13/09/191520Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, TurkeyNorman died on a hospital ship from exhaustion following an acute attack of dysentry, and was buried at sea. 
Boue-BlandyClaude ReginaldSecond Lieutenant (Temporary Captain)5th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment34 Delamere Road, Ainsdale18/04/191632Birkdale Cemetery, SouthportClaude volunteered at the outbreak of the war, and joined the Manchester Regiment. After training on Salisbury Plain he was sent to France. Read more about Claude
Boue-BlandyStella RoseSisterQueen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service34 Delamere Road, Ainsdale13/01/191932Birkdale Cemetery, SouthportStella joined the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Nursing Service in 1912. Read more about Stella
ChartersJamesPrivate531324th Battalion, Australian Infantry, Australian Imperial ForceSeaview Crescent, Black Rod, Melbourne, Australia4/09/191838Warloy-Baillon Communal Extension, Somme, FranceJames completed his training in Australia, and was sent to France. He was fatally injured while serving in the trenches of Northern France. He died at the Casualty Clearing Station in Warloy-Baillon.
ClarkWilfredPrivate42776158th Battalion, Canadian Infantry(Central Ontario Regiment)Massams Farm, Pinfold Lane, Ainsdale10/08/191630Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont, Somme, FranceWilfred is thought to have died on Sunday 8th October during an attack on the village of Courcelette, on the Somme battlefields. Wilfred was reported missing on 16th October and 'presumed killed' on 5th November.
DrummondAlan JohnCorporal993025th Battery, Royal Field Artillery.07/02/1916Bully-Grenay Communal Cemetery, British Extension, Pas de Calais, FranceAlan enlisted with the Royal Horse Artillery in October 1915, and then volunteered to swap to the Royal Field Artillery. This enabled him to serve on the front line sooner. Alan was killed in action between 9 -10 o’clock in a front-line trench during heavy shelling.

EcclesRobertPrivate28793King's Liverpool Regiment and 6th Battalion, South Lancashire RegimentPinfold Lane, Ainsdale22/11/191630Kirkee 1914-1918 Memorial, Bombay, India Robert was killed while his battalion were on training exercises in Amara, Southern Iraq.
ElkesFrederick John Gausson MayLieutenant-CommanderRoyal Naval Reserve, HMS "Ocean"12 Isabel Grove, Tuebrook 12/07/1914Basra War Cemetery, IraqFrederick was killed during an operation to take  Kurnah, in the Persian Gulf, after his ship was disabled by heavy fire. 
FletcherJoseph SaulCadetMercantile Marine, S..S "Chupra"19 Station Road, Ainsdale. 22/09/191417Madras (St Mary's) Cemetery, Chennai, IndiaJoseph was killed when the S.S. Chupra was hit by a shell when the German battleship S.M.S. Emden attacked the city of Madras, India.  Joseph was the first from Ainsdale to die in combat, he was just 17.
GreenThomasDriver24394440th Division, Small Arms, Section Royal Field Artillery attached to North Staffordshire Regiment17 Hargreaves Street, Southport20/08/191834Longueness (St Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, Pas de Calais, FranceThomas died of his wounds at a casualty clearing station, behind the lines at St Omer
HackettNicholasSapper515511th Field Company, Royal Engineers20/05/1917Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, FranceNicholas was a pupil at Birkdale Farm School. He is listed as 'killed in action' on 20th May 1917.
HarrisonFrank CyrilSecond Lieutenant1st/5th Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment11 Station Road, Ainsdale05/04/191822Lapugnoy Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, FranceFrank joined up in 1914 and was first wounded in 1916. He was fatally wounded in 1918, by a bursting shell. He died shortly afterwards at a casualty clearing station.
HawthorneHarryPrivate265827Notts and Derby(Sherwood Foresters) Regiment17/06/1917Fosse No 10 Communal Cemetery extension, Sans-en-Gohell, Pas de Calais, FranceHarry was killed in action
HawxbySamuel HaroldSergeant61715th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment22 Station Road, Ainsdale28/08/191626Thiepval Memorial, Somme, FranceSamuel was killed during an attacked on the Sunken Road east of La Briqueterie, on the Somme. He is listed on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing alongside 72,000 others who lost their lives on The Somme battlefields
HawxbyHaroldCompany Sergeant Major711516th Battalion, Manchester Regiment30 Gordon Road, Seaforth07/09191834Thiepval Memorial, Somme, FranceHarold resided in Ainsdale and enlisted at Manchester. A married man, he resided at 30 Gordon Road, Seaforth with his wife Hilda. He was drafted to France on 8/11/1915.
HodkinsonWilliamLieutenant6th Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment, and Royal Air Force22 Knowsley Road, Southport10/09/191821Preseau Communal Cemetery, Nord, FranceWilliam was flying as an observer when his plane was shot down, and reported missing on 9th October 1918. He had previously served with the 6th Battalion, Kings Liverpool Regiment.
HoldenWilliamSergeant4885087th Company, Royal Engineers65 Leamington Road, Ainsdale08/05/1917Feuchy British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, FranceWilliam joined the Royal Engineers in 1914 and was awarded a Military Medal for gallantry during the Somme campaign. He was mentioned in despatches for bravery displayed in the fighting at Loos and had also been recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal. He was killed in actionMilitary Medal
HoughtonEWe can find no information about E Houghton, it is possible that this is a mis-spelling of Edmund Wadsworth Aughton.
JacksonWilliamDrummer485334th Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment34 Leamington Road, Ainsdale17/04/191821Tyne Cot Memorial, West Vlaanderen, BelgiumWilliam joined up at 17 and spent just over two years on the front line, before his death during the Battle of Lys 
JenkinsWilliam HenryMechanician308004Royal Navy H.M.S. "Warrior"72 Leamington Road, Ainsdale06/03/191634Dalmeny Parish Cemetery, South Queensferry, Linlithgowshire, ScotlandWilliam was born in Liverpool on 20th March 1883 and died on 3rd June 1916 as a result of wounds sustained at the Battle of Jutland, whilst serving aboard HMS Warrior.
LittleThomasPrivate44611South Wales BorderersShore Road, Ainsdale11/10/191721Passchendaele New British Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, BelgiumNews of Thomas' death was reported in the Southport Visiter on 4th Dec, 1917: "News has been received that Private T Little , Shore Road, Ainsdale has been killed in action. At the time of his enlistment in 1916, he was an engineering student at Liverpool University"
LloydPeterSapper146051152nd Field Company, Royal Engineers15/11/1916Thiepval Memorial, Somme FrancePeter was killed in action, in the Battle of the Somme, in November 1916. The battleground came to a halt on 18th November with the onset of winter, three days after Peter's death. Peter's father John collected his effects which were valued at £3.11.4s (£360.46 at todays' value)
MakinsonFrederick ValentineSecond Lieutenant3rd Battalion, attached 4th Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment49 Claremont Road Birkdale14/04/191820Ploegsteert Memorial, Hainaut, BelgiumFrederick volunteered for service on 12th August 1914, aged only 16. He rose through the ranks to Second Lieutenant, attending officer training in Britain. According to his commanding officer he was 'killed instantly by a shell and was buried where he fell'
MarshallWilliamPrivate3604020th Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment14 Segars Lane, Ainsdale8/01/191729Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West Vlaanderen, BelgiumWilliam was killed in action during the Battle of Pilkem Ridge. His battalion were pinned down in a shallow trench under heavy shelling. He died alongside one officer and 41 other ranks.
McLarenRoyalSecond Lieutenant16th Battalion, Cheshire RegimentMossgeil Avenue, Ainsdale17/07/1735Dive Copse British Cemetery, Sailly-Le-Sec, FranceRoyal joined the Cheshire Regiment in April 1915, and went over to the front in January 1916. He was wounded at Waterlot Farm, Delville Wood on the Somme. He died of his wounds.
NixonAndersonPrivate20412012th Battalion, King's Liverpool RegimentNixons Farm, Ainsdale.20/11/1917Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, Nord, FranceAnderson enlisted with the 6th King's when he was 18. On his first deployment to France Anderson contracted trench fever and was sent to England for treatment. Anderson was killed during the Battle of Cambrai.
PinningtonRichardPrivate498121st Battalion, Essex Regiment, formerly King' Liverpool Rgiment and Sherwood Foresters29 Leamington Road, Ainsdale15/10/191822Terlincthun British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, FranceRichard endured a gas attack while serving in Ypres, after treatment he transferred to the Essex Regiment. Richard died of spinal injuries at the 2nd Australian General Field Hospital at Terlincthun.
PrescottArthurLance Corporal86771st Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment670 Liverpool Road, Ainsdale.19/05/191528Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, FranceArthur was an army reservist and one of the first to be called up at the onset of war. He was wounded in the retreat at Mons in 1914 and after treatment he return to the front line. He was killed in the Battle of Festubert, his body was never recovered.
RimmerCharlesTrooper31551st Life Guards, Household Cavalry569a Liverpool Road, Ainsdale26/01/191620Vermelles British Cemetery, Pas de CalaisCharles was killed alongside three comrades by a shell explosion.
RushworthArthur CyrilGunner190797C Company, 77th Brigade, Royal ArtilleryDelamere Road, Ainsdale4/04/1918Poziers Memorial, Somme, FranceArthur travelled to France towards the end of 1917, and was killed in action just over 6 months later. His body was found by soldiers returning from the front line, he had been killed by shellfire. The soldiers collected Arthur’s papers and effects and ensured they were returned to the family. They also buried him in a shallow grave just outside the village Poziers.
SawyerHenryPrivate2660497th Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment168 Kew Road, Birkdale18/06/191836Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, FranceHenry joined the army in 1914 and spent two years fighting before he was severely wounded and gassed on June 13th 1916. Just over 2 years later he died of wounds received in action at one of the general hospitals along the coast between Calais and Boulogne.
ShawRobertCaptain7th Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment4 Buckingham Avenue, Sefton Park20/09/191725Dochy Farm New British Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, BelgiumRobert obtained his commission in December 1914, and went to France in spring 1915. Robert was killed during the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, during a German counter attack.
SnowdenWalterLance Corporal13984C Company, 12th Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment22 Segars Lane, Ainsdale16/08/191721Tyne Cot Memorial, West Vlaanderen, BelgiumWalter joined the King's Liverpool Regiment and was sent to France. He died of wounds sustained during the Battle of Langemarck ( Part of the Third Battle of Ypres) His body was never found or identified.
SumnerJohnActing Bombardier112824216th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery20 Leamington Road, Ainsdale15/08/191733Calais Southern Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. John died of his wounds on 15th August 1917 at the Number 9 British Red Cross Field Hospital near Calais.
SuttonRichardSapperRoyal Engineers26/11/1919Ainsdale War Memorial booklet states: "Sapper Richard Sutton - Joined Royal Engineers on April 12th 1915. Was killed in whilst serving in France on November 26th 1919"
SuttonRichard StuartCorporal2043A Company, 7th Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment20 Leamington Road, Ainsdale23/05/191523Lillers Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, FranceRichard joined the King's Regiment in August 1914, and was sent to France after completing basic training. He was wounded in the shoulder by a Maxim Machine Gun bullet. He was taken to a casualty clearing station but died of his wounds.
SuttonThomasPrivate120021st Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment17/11/1915Bethune Town Cemetery, Pas de Calais, FranceThomas was a reservist so was one of the first to be called up at the beginning of the war. He took part in several battles including Nueve Chappelle, La Bassee and Givenchy, where he was wounded in the foot. After returning to the front line he contracted a chill, he went to hospital but never recovered.
TaylorWilliam JohnPrivate3575612nd/10th Battalion, attached to 1st/10th Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment73 Burnley Road, Ainsdale27/04/191838Lapugnoy Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, FranceWilliam joined the King's Regiment and was sent to France where he was awarded a Military Medal for his bravery. He died of wounds received in action, in the Labouse area of France.Military Medal
ThompsonGeorgePrivate5234013th Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment10 Station Road, Ainsdale16/08/1620Thiepval Memorial, Somme, FranceGeorge was killed while in his dugout during an attack on an offensive line from Gommecourt to Maricourt. The losses during the fighting were catastrophic.
ToughArnold BanatyneCaptain11th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment34 Delamere Road, Ainsdale7/01/191626Queens Cemetery Puisieux, Pas de Calais, FranceArnold was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. His battalion were attacking a line from Matthew Copse to Mark Copse in the Gommecourt area of the battlefield. He died alongside 6 other officers. His brother John James Tough also fell.
WallSydney FrithPrivate1888012th Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment27/08/191524Ploegsteert Memorial, Hainaut, BelgiumSydney died from concussion as a result of a shell explosion. His brother Wilfred Ewart Wall was killed at Ypres.
WallWilfred EwartPrivate4650323rd Battalion, Manchester Regiment and Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry22/10/191721Tyne Cot Memorial, West Vlaanderen, BelgiumWilfred was killed in action during the Third Battle of Ypres, known as Passchendaele. He was buried were he fell. His brother Sydney Frith Wall was also killed in action.
WhittakerHerbertPrivate525572nd Garrison Battalion, Northumberland FusiliersAugust 7, 1917Basra War Cemetery, IraqHerbert initially enlisted in the King's Liverpool Regiment, before transferring to the Easts Lancashire Regiment. He was attached to the Northumberland Regiment in Iraq when he succumbed to illness and died.
WilkinsonRichard Hartley SagarPrivate5143313th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers4/11/191740Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, FranceRichard originally enlisted in Southport to the 105th Training Reserve before transferring to Royal Fusiliers. He was killed in action in the Arras area of France.  
WilliamsErnestPrivate3523222nd (East Lancashire) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps6 Green Walk, Ainsdale10/10/191736Potijze Chateau Grounds Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, BelgiumErnest was killed in action on 10th October 1917, at Ypres.
WilsonJohnTrooper357Royal Canadian Dragoons47 Mill Road, Ainsdale23/04/191828Tourgeville Military Cemetery , Calvados, FranceJohn joined The Royal Dragoons and saw action at Cambrai. He died from wounds he suffered at Vimy Ridge, whilst trying to save a friend. He was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery.Military Medal
WyattArnold BakerMidshipmanRoyal Navy, H.M.S. "Partridge"5 Burnley Road, Ainsdale12/12/191720Fredrikstad Military CemeteryArnold was lost on the 12th December 1917 when a convoy which included the destroyer HMS Partridge was torpedoed and sunk en route to Bergen, Norway. Read more about Walter