Pte 17591 Edgar Hargreaves

• Age: 36
• From: Burnley, Lancs
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• D.O.W Sunday 26th May 1918
• Commemorated at: Cheltenham Cem Glos
  Panel Ref: A1.967

Edgar was born in the fourth quarter of 1881 in Burnley and was the son of Benjamin Hargreaves and his wife Elizabeth (nee Lowcock) who were married in Burnley in the first quarter of 1864. 

The 1891 Census shows the family living at Colne Road, Burnley. Edgar is shown as 9 years old and is living with his parents and eight siblings. His father, Benjamin is shown as an insurance agent born in Burnley in 1842, whilst his mother, recorded as Elizabeth was born in Colne in 1842. His siblings, all born in Burnley and employed as cotton weavers, are recorded as: Mary, born in 1865, Walter born in 1869, Dyson born 1871, Benjamin born 1874, Frank born 1876, Ernest born 1877, Fred born 1879 and Harold a scholar born in 1884.

The 1901 Census shows his mother Elizabeth as head of the household,living at 33 Colne Road, Burnley, she is described as married. Edgar is now 19 and is employed as a book makers assistant. Four of his siblings are still living in the family home, they are listed as; Benjamin, Ernest, Fred and Harold.      

The 1911 Census shows Edgar as a traveller in wholseale stationery living as a boarder with the Summer family at their home address of 100 Cambridge Road, Seaforth, Liverpool.  

He married Eleanor Reeves in the third quarter of 1914.

He enlisted in Liverpool in September 1914 joining the 19^th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 17591.

Formed on 07^th September 1914 the 19^th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

Edgar died of wounds on the 26th May 1918 aged 36, during the German Spring Offensive.  Details of his wounding are featured in the Newspaper article below:

POPULAR BURNLEY SOLDIER

Death At Cheltenham of a Twice Wounded Soldier

The news has just come to our notice that a Burnley hero of war, Private Edgar Hargreaves recently passed away in a Cheltenham hospital, after several months of suffering, patiently endured. The deceased soldier who was 36 years of age, was a son of Mr Benjamin Hargreaves of Shere Manse, Cernholme, and was a native of Burnley. In his early youth he was engaged at the booksellers store associated with the well-known name of Lupton in the Market Hall. He regularly attended the Sunday school at Ebenezer Baptist church where he was well liked by both teachers and scholars. He left Burnley to go abroad and returning to this country about seven or eight years ago, he entered the service of the Mersey Dock and Harbour Board at Liverpool. He was in this employment when war broke out and he immediately joined the King's Liverpool Regiment. After a course of training he went out to France at the beginning of July 1915 and was wounded in the leg during that same month. He was invalided home for 3-months and recovering from his wounds he returned to France and went through some heavy fighting. In the early part of this year he was badly wounded by gunshots and shrapnel in the spine and was removed to Naunton Park Red Cross hospital at Cheltenham. He was there for six months during which time he underwent several operations, but medical skill and the kindly care of the nursing staff failed to save his life and he passed away in the hospital on May the 26th. The funeral took place with military honours on Wednesday May 29th at Leckhampton Cemetery near Cheltenham and was of a most impressive character. The relatives present were Mrs Edgar Hargreaves, the widow, who resided in Cheltenham during the time her husband was in the hospital: Mr B Hargreaves, the father, who inspite of his advanced years, insisted on making the journey; the Re. J.J. Hargreaves of Chester (brother) and Mr Dyson Hargreaves of Burnley (brother). The members of the Hospital medical and nursing staff, who had become greatly attached to the deceased soldier, where present, as well as a large number of wounded soldiers with whom Pte Hargreaves had become very popular. A firing party of twenty, from the Cheltenham College also attended and fired three volleys over the grave.      

Edgar now rests at Cheltenham Cemetery, Gloucester, where his headstone bears the epitaph:

“HIS DUTY NOBLY DONE”  

There are 183 First World War burials in the Cemetery.

Soldiers Effects to father Benjamin, Pension to widow Eleanor, 77 Moss Grove, Lodge Lane

S/E adds he died of pneumonia caused by bullet wound in Cheltenham Hospital.

Probate records show the following:

HARGREAVES Edgar of 77 Moss Grove, Liverpool died 26th May 1918 at the Red Cross Hospital, Cheltenham. Administration (with Will) London 06th September 1918 to Benjamin Hargreaves insurance agent £80 3s 9d.     

CWGC records show his family details as: Son of Benjamin and Mary Hargreaves; husband of Eleanor Hiatt (formerly Hargreaves), of 77, Moss Grove, Sefton Park, Liverpool. Born at Burnley. 

His medal roll suggests service with the 9th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment

Edgar is commemorated on the following memorials:

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 59

Mersey Docks and Harbour Board Memorial situated in the Port of Liverpool Building, Pier Head, Liverpool 

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