Pte 22724 Alfred James Howard

• Age: 29
• From: Newton-le-Wilows, Lancs
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Sunday 30th July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

Alfred James was born in Newton-Le-Willows in June 1887, and was the son of Alfred Howard and his wife Elizabeth (nee Glover). His parents married in 1878, registered in Warrington; Alfred was the youngest of their four children, and the only son. His sisters were Mary Selina, Annie Glover, and Jessie Edwardson. 

In 1891 the 4 year old Alfred was living with his father Alfred who is 38 years old and a blacksmith born in Newton, his mother Elizabeth is 36 born in St Helens, and his sisters born in Newton – Mary aged 11, Annie 8 and Jessie aged 7. The family are living next to the vicarage on Crow Lane, Newton-Le-Willows. 

The family are still living in Crow Lane East at the time of the 1901 census.

The father Alfred is now aged 49, and still employed as a blacksmith. Mother Elizabeth is 45, Mary 21 is working as a milliner, Annie 19 as a dressmaker, Jessie 17 is at home and 14 year old Alfred is working as a printers help. 

The 1911 census shows the couple are living at 153 Crow Lane East.

His father is a 59 year old blacksmith in a railway wagon works, his mother is 55, they have been married 42 years and have 4 children. They have three of their unmarried children still living at home. Annie, 28, is a dressmaker, Jessie 27 is shown as at home and Alfred, aged 24, is a printer's machinist having served his time with Messrs: McCorquodale and Co. His sister Mary is married and lives in Crow Lane. 

His father died aged 61 on the 10th Aug 1913 whilst on holiday in West Kirby. 

Newton and Earlestown Guardian - Friday 15 August 1913 

DEATH OF MR. A. HOWARD. 

Quite a painful sensation was caused in Earlestown and Newton on Sunday last when it became known that the telegraph wires had flashed a message through to the effect that Mr A. Howard, of Crow Lane East, had passed away with tragic suddenness whilst on his holidays at West Kirby. Mr Howard, who was a blacksmith at the Viaduct Works, was a man respected and liked by all who knew him, and great sympathy is felt throughout the town for his wife and family in their sudden bereavement. Deceased left Earlestown with his wife and daughter last week in perfect health and they were joined on Saturday afternoon by Mr Fred Howard (son), who found everyone in holiday spirit. The sad event which broke up the holiday occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning, and came without giving the slightest warning. Mr Howard awakened up and raised himself on his elbow to look at his watch, and this was the last action of his life. His son, who was residing in another bouse, and a doctor were immediately summoned, and the latter at once pronounced life extinct. The shock was naturally all the greater owing to the fact that it is many years since Mr Howard had had any necessity for medical attention. Whilst engaged in the arduous duties of a blacksmith he had never had any cause to complain of heart trouble. It was deemed necessary under the circumstances to hold an enquiry, and the verdict at the inquest was “from natural causes.” Deceased and his family have for many years being connected with the work of the Newton Congregational Church. The funeral took place at the Congregational Church, Newton-le-Willows, on Wednesday, the service being taken by the Rev J. Allatt. The coffin was of oak with brass fitting and bore the brief inscription: “ Alfred Howard, aged 61, died August 10th, 1913." The mourners were as follows:—Mrs Howard, Mr Fred Howard, Miss Annie Howard, Mr and Mrs Sephton, Mr and Mrs Bolton, Mr and Mrs W. Howard (Leeds), Mr Ben Howard (London), Mr and Mrs Cheeseborough, Mr John Owen, Mr Leonard Owen, Mr S. Glover (St Helens), Mr Roland Glover (St Helens), Messrs Charles and William Pritchard, Mr S. Himmer (Eccles), Mr and Mrs Valentine (Golborne), and Miss Allatt. An effective tribute to the personal character of the deceased gentleman was paid by the attendance at the funeral of the blacksmiths of the Works, about 50 being present. After the Scripture portion of the service, the rev. gentleman read the first and last verses of “Lead Kindly Light." The last remains were borne to the grave by deceased’s fellow-workmen. A number of wreaths were sent from relatives and friends. 

Prior to the war Alfred was an enthusiastic participator in choral music, and was connected with the local Congregational Church choir and the Earlestown Glee Society. He was also well known around St. Helens as a hockey referee and he was himself a member of the St. Helens club.

Alfred enlisted on the 9th November 1914 at Liverpool, joining the 20th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 22724. He gave his age as 27 years and nine months and his occupation as a printer. He was five feet six inches tall, weighed 133lbs, 35” chest, sallow complexion, grey eyes, and dark brown hair and gave his religion as Church of England. He gives his mother as next of kin. 

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th 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. 

7.11.15: Embarked for France with his battalion.

17.3.16: Admitted to 55 Field Ambulance then on to 96 Field Ambulance with fever of unknown origin.

31.3.16: Discharged to duty.

Alfred was killed in action on the 30th July 1916, aged 29, at the village of Guillemont, France, during the Somme Offensive.

The 20^th King’s Battalion Diary records:

“At 4.45am prompt the attack was launched. Unfortunately, a thick mist prevailed and it was impossible to see more than 10 yards ahead. This continued until about 6 o’clock when it lifted slightly, but it was still too hazy and impossible to see what was happening 100 yards ahead. This being so, it was not surprising to find that the attacking waves were experiencing great difficulty in maintaining connection.”

At 6am, Lt. RE Melly, No.1 Company, reported that his men had taken the German Maltz Horn trench.

At 6.30am, 2/Lt. CP Moore reported that he had 150 men, 4 Stokes Mortars and 2 Lewis Guns, but he was the only officer. He also said that due to the fog, both his “flanks were in the air” i.e. he was not in contact with neighbouring troops.

At 9.10am, Moore was still not in contact at his flanks, and now he had only 75 men, he had sent out 2 patrols and neither not returned. Later Moore established communication with the French on his right.

Around 10.00am, 2/Lt Musker reported that he had just over a company with him, but his left flank was suffering from German machine gun fire. Later he reported that he had over 30 casualties from the machine gun fire. His flanks were also “in the air”. No contact was made with this party until the remnants returned around 9.30pm, all runners sent were killed or missing. The War Diary states that this group had: ”held the ground won all day, and this permitted the consolidation of the ground won on the Maltz Horn ridge with little interference from the enemy”.

Relief for 20/Kings had been planned for 11.00pm, but it was 5.00am on the 31st July before it took place, ending a tragic day for the Liverpool Pals.

Casualties for 20^th Battalion were 16 Officers and 357 Other Ranks

When darkness fell on the battlefield the 30^th Division held a line from the railway on the eastern side of Trones Wood , southwards and including Arrow Head Copse, to east of Maltz Horn Farm. On this line the division was relieved by the 55^th Division during the early hours of the 31^st July. 

The events of 30^th July 1916 were regarded at the time as Liverpool’s blackest day. There follows an extract from The History of the 89^th Brigade written by Brigadier General Ferdinand Stanley which gives an indication of the events of the day.

Guillemont

Well the hour to advance came, and of all bad luck in the world it was a thick fog; so thick that you couldn’t see more than about ten yards. It was next to impossible to delay the attack – it was much too big an operation- so forward they had to go. It will give some idea when I say that on one flank we had to go 1,750 yards over big rolling country. Everyone knows what it is like to cross enclosed country which you know really well in a fog and how easy it is to lose your way. Therefore, imagine these rolling hills, with no landmarks and absolutely unknown to anyone. Is it surprising that people lost their way and lost touch with those next to them? As a matter of fact, it was wonderful the way in which many men found their way right to the place we wanted to get to. But as a connected attack it was impossible.

The fog was intense it was practically impossible to keep direction and parties got split up. Owing to the heavy shelling all the Bosches had left their main trenches and were lying out in the open with snipers and machine guns in shell holes, so of course our fellows were the most easy prey.

It is so awfully sad now going about and finding so many splendid fellows gone.   

Alfred James’ death was reported in the Newton and Earlestown Guardian of August 18th 1916: 

"From letters received it appears that Pte. Howard was assisting a wounded comrade, when he himself was fatally shot. He thus performed the greatest of sacrifices in that he gave his own life in his endeavour to save that of a friend." 

PRIVATE FRED HOWARD.  

The death of Private Fred Howard has been spoken of in the town since Sunday of last week though friends and relatives were not without hopes that some contradiction might come through. The possibility of this is now past. From letters received it appears that Pte. Howard was himself assisting a wounded comrade, when he was fatally shot. He thus performed the greatest of sacrifices in that he gave his own life in his endeavour to save that of a friend, and those who were personally acquainted with the deceased soldier will not be surprised to hear of his heroic end. Private Howard was attached to the 20th Service Battalion, King’s Liverpool (Pals) Regiment, as a machine gunner. He joined at the outbreak of war, along with two of his cousins (the brothers Charles and Allan Owen —the former of whom is now in hospital at Reading), and had seen service since the ‘“Pals”’ were drafted to the front. By trade he was a printer’s machinist, having served his time with Messrs. McCorquodale and Co., at Newton. Previous to enlisting he was at the well-known printing works of Messrs. Bibby, of Liverpool. When at home, he was an enthusiastic participator in choral music, and was connected with the local Congregational Church choir and the late Earlestown Glee Society. He was also well-known (more particularly in the St. Helens district) in hockey circles as a referee, and was himself a member of the St. Helens club. He was of a bright and cheery disposition, and very popular wherever his activities led him. He was the son of Mrs. and the late Mr. A. Howard, of Crow Lane East, Newton-le-Willows. Much sympathy is felt with Mrs. Howard, who has by this death lost her only son. 

Alfred's body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916.

On 01st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

He earned his three medals. His 1914-15 Star was returned for amendment, having been issued with the wrong regimental number. 

Alfred is remembered on the Newton-le-Willows war memorial, Market Street, Earlestown, St Helens.

He is commemorated in the (Temporary) Roll of Honour in the Chapel of Newton-le-Willows (Wargrave) Cemetery, Park Road South, Newton-le-Willows, St Helens.

All Saints Church, Crow Lane, has a WW1 Memorial, but Alfred's name does not appear on the Plaque, or on the McCorquodale & Co. Ltd. Memorial.

His soldiers effects including a War Gratuity of £7-10s, went to his mother Elizabeth who was awarded a pension of 10/- a week from April 1917.

In 1919 his mother provided information on living relatives; she states no father (no death record has been found).  She is still at 153 Crow Lane East with Annie, and her two married daughters live close by: Mary Sephton lives next door, and Jessie Bolton lives down the street. 

His mother died in 1934 at the age of 79.

We currently have no further information on Alfred James Howard. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Grateful thanks are extended to the Newton Le Willows Poppy Trail Board who kindly allowed permission for us to use the photograph of Alfred James Howard on this site.