KING J E

KING, John Edward

John Edward KING

Regiment: 17th Bn. The King’s (Liverpool Regiment)

Rank: Private

Number: 15404

Died: 27 June 1916

Aged: 23

Buried/ Memorial: Cerisy-Gailly Military Cemetery, France

Address: 10 Philip Street, Hoole

Chester Chronicle 15 July 1916

“Pte. J.E. King of the King’s Liverpool Regiment (Liverpool Pals) was killed on 27th June. He was the son of Mr. E. King of Philip Street, Hoole, an engine driver on the L. and N.W. Railway, and was employed in the District Traffic Supplies Office of the L. and N.W. Railway at Chester, and subsequently at Conway. He would have been 24 at August next. He joined the forces in August 1914 and went to the front in October 1915. He was a bomb thrower in his company and was exceedingly well liked by his comrades. Great sympathy is felt for his bereaved relatives.”

“Official intimation has been received that Pte J E King of the Kings Liverpool Regiment (Liverpool Pals) was killed on June 27th. Son of Mr E King of Phillip Street Hoole an engine driver on the L and N W Railway Pte King was employed in the District Traffic Superintendent’s office of the L and NW Railway at Chester and subsequently at Conway. He would have been 24 years of age in August next. After leaving school he was first employed at the offices of the “Cheshire Observer” and “Chester Courant”. He always was well thought of by all with whom he came in contact and his patriotism knew no bounds. Joining the Forces in August 1914 he was most anxious to get to grips with the enemy and chafed at the long training his regiment was called upon to undergo. The dead soldier was a bomb thrower in his company and was exceedingly well liked by his comrades. Great sympathy will be extended to his bereaved relatives.”

The 1911 Census shows John as an 18-year-old railway clerk living at 10 Phillip Street with his father Edward, mother Jane, brothers Edwin (who saw home service during the War with the Labour Corps) and George and sisters Florence, Alice and Constance.