Pte 405620 Edward Llewellyn

• Age: 26
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Tuesday 31st July 1917
• Commemorated at: Menin Gate Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 4 & 6

Edward Llewellyn was born Edward Llewellin in the December quarter of 1890 in Liverpool and was the son of John William LlewellIn and his wife Frances Catherine (née James) who were married on the 14th July 1883 at St. Augustine's Church, Everton. John was “a Gentleman” of 18 Alma Street, his father, John, was a grocer, whilst Frances,of the same address, gave her father, Benjamin, as a printer. 

Edward was baptised on the 17th December 1890 at St. Ambrose with All Saints Church, Everton.

A daughter Frances Mary was born in 1888 and christened on 20th November 1889. She sadly died, aged 2, in 1890. 

The 1891 Census shows the family living at Howarth Street, Everton, Liverpool. His father John aged 39, born 1852 in Liverpool, his occupation is shown as a scavenger, whilst his mother Frances is aged 29, born 1862 in Liverpool has no occupation listed. Their three children, all born in Liverpool are listed as; John aged 6, born 1885, Benjamin aged 4, born 1887 and Edward born 1891. Their father in law Benjamin James, is a widower, aged 53, born 1838 in Liverpool and is employed as a cotton porter. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 1 Howarth Street, Everton, Liverpool. His father, John, is aged 49, occupation corporation labourer, his mother, Frances, is aged 39, with no occupation listed. They have four children dec;lared in the household; John aged 16, employed as a jobbers labourer, born 1885, Benjamin aged 14, is a shop-boy for a greengrocers, Edward aged 10 and  born 1901 and Henry born 1901.

His father John passed away, aged 54, in 1905.

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 7 Knowsley Street Everton Liverpool. His mother, Frances Catherine now widowed, is aged 49, and is employed as a general charwoman. She has her four sons still living at the address, John aged 26, employed as a bricklayer, Benjamin aged 24, is a labourer in a wire-works, Edward aged 20 is a packer in a printers and Henry aged 10 is at school.

Before joining up he was for many years employed by Gilbert G. Walmsley, stationer, of 54 Lord Street. 

He enlisted in Liverpool and was serving as Edward Llewellyn in the 19th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 405620 when he was killed in action on the 31st July 1917, aged 26, during the Third Battle of Ypres.

19^th Battalion

The 19^th Battalion started the day in Divisional Reserve but were called forward in the early morning of 31^st July and reached Maple Copse in late afternoon. It was originally detailed to continue with the morning’s attack but this was cancelled and they eventually relieved a Battalion of the 53^rd Brigade in the newly captured line, sustaining casualties from shell fire.

The Battalion was relieved on the night of 03^rd/4^th August.

Although not actively engaged in the assault the Battalion lost 26 men killed or died of wounds with four officers and 101 men wounded.  

Edward was one of those killed in action. He was originally reported as Missing and the Liverpool Echo on the 27th September 1917 recorded: 

Private E. Llewellyn (No. 405620 K.L.R.) of Giddygate Lane, Melling, near Liverpool is now reported as missing since July 31.

It was not until the Liverpool Weekly Courier reported his death on Saturday 18 May 1918;

Pte E. Llewellyn is officially reported killed in action July 31st, 1917. He was previously reported wounded and missing, before joining up he was for many years employed by G. G. Walmsley, 54 Lord Street, and resided with his mother at 56 Smeaton Street, Kirkdale.

Edward earned his three medals. 

Edward's body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated as Llewellyn E. on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres in Belgium.

The site of the Menin Gate was chosen because of the hundreds of thousands of men who passed through it on their way to the battlefields. It commemorates casualties from the forces of Australia, Canada, India, South Africa and United Kingdom who died in the Salient. In the case of United Kingdom casualties, only those prior 16 August 1917 (with some exceptions). United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after that date are named on the memorial at Tyne Cot, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war. New Zealand casualties that died prior to 16 August 1917 are commemorated on memorials at Buttes New British Cemetery and Messines Ridge British Cemetery.

The YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL now bears the names of more than 54,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield with sculpture by Sir William Reid-Dick, was unveiled by Lord Plumer on 24 July 1927.

Soldiers Effects, Army Pay of £3 2d, £11 War Gratuity, and Pension of 10/- pw to mother Frances, 56 Smeaton Street.  

His mother, Frances, date of birth 24th November 1861, appears on the 1939 register at 72 Peter Road, Liverpool with her sons Benjamin and Henry.

She died, aged 81, in 1948.

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

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