Capt Arthur de Bells Adam (MC)
1885 - 1916

CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916

Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916

Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916

Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918

Pte 306003 William James McFarlane

Age: 30
From: Everton, Liverpool
Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
K.I.A Friday 18th October 1918
Commemorated at: Maurois Cc
Panel Ref: 54

William James McFarlane was born in Everton on 31st October 1887, the eldest son of James McFarlane and his wife Elizabeth Ann (née Wall). James, from Liverpool, and Elizabeth Ann, from a Stockport, married on the 23rd January 1887 at St Mary's R.C., Highfield Street. James was of 24 Cunliffe Street, father Michael, whilst Elizabeth was of 7 Portland Place, father James. They and had eight children, two of whom, Thomas and Francis, died in infancy. William was the eldest; his siblings were Edward, Vincent Joseph, Mary Elizabeth, John, and Gertrude, all born in Liverpool. William James was baptised in All Saints, R.C. Church in Liverpool, on 2nd November 1887.

On the 1891 Census the family are living at 58 Townsend Lane, Anfield. His father, James, is not present, his mother, Elizabeth M., is aged 22, born in Stockport, children William J. is aged 3, and Thomas is aged 7 months. They also have a boarder Edward Matthews 28.

James was a pupil at Our Lady Immaculate School.

In 1901 the family is living at 79 Louisa Street, Everton. His father is aged 38, a shoe/boot maker, his mother, Elizabeth, is aged 30, William James is 13, Edward 7, Vincent 4, and Mary 2.

By 1911 they have moved to 19 Lune Street, Everton. His father James, 46, is a master boot maker at the Beacon Lane Industrial School, his mother Elizabeth is 40. They advised that they had been married for 24 years, and have had 8 children, 6 of whom have survived. All six surviving children are declared in the household; William James, aged 23, is an assistant manager/music hall attendant (Buckley Hall), Edward, aged 17, and Vincent, aged 14, are grocer’s assistants, Mary is aged 12, John, aged 9, and Gertrude aged 5. They also declare a 16-year old boarder, a boot finisher.

James enlisted in Liverpool as Private 306003, 2/8th King’s (Liverpool) Regiment, (This was a second line Territorial battalion, formed in Liverpool in August and September 1914.)

At some point, possibly after being wounded, James was transferred to the 14th Bn K.L.R. His name appeared in the list of Wounded in the Weekly Casualty List on the 04th September 1917.

Liverpool R. - M’Farlane, 300063, W. J.;

He was subsequently transferred to the 18th Bn (Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry), K.L.R. James was killed in action on the 18th October 1918 aged 30, during the hundred days offensive which ended the First World War (8^th August-11^th November 1918).

He now rests at Maurois Communal Cemetery Extension, France where his headstone bears the epitaph:

“ON WHOSE SOUL SWEET JESUS HAVE MERCY”

Maurois village was the scene of fighting in the Battle of Le Gateau, 1914, and it remained in German hands until it was occupied by the South African Brigade on the 9th October, 1918. There are now over 80, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Three were buried by the enemy in August, 1914, three by their comrades in October, 1918, and one in October, 1918 in a single grave. The remainder were buried in October and November, with one of February, 1919. The plot covers an area of 286 square metres.

His death was announced in the Liverpool Echo on 30th November 1918:

“Private James McFarlane killed in action, after four years’ service, was an old scholar of Our Lady Immaculate. Sadly missed by parents, sisters, and brothers (in France). He lived at 11, Lune Street, Everton.”

His brother Vincent joined the same battalion, 2/8th K.L.R. as Private 305938, and served in France. His brother Edward also served in France, regiment unknown.

His father James joined the Royal Army Ordnance Corps in March 1916, giving his age as 46 (he would have been 51). He served in Palestine and Egypt and was discharged with a disability, no longer physically fit for war duty, in February 1918.

His parents, still living at 11 Lune Street, off Beacon Lane, received William’s effects, Army pay of £35 12s 2d and War Gratuity of £22-10s. His pension cards do not seem to quote any award.

On the 1921 Census at Lune Street, his father, James, is aged 56, and still a boot maker, his mother, Elizabeth, is aged 50, Vincent is aged 24, and a clerk, Mary is aged 22, and Gertrude is aged 15.

His mother Elizabeth died at the age of 66, in 1936. The pension card quotes 20th April 1936.

In 1939 his widowed father James was still at 11 Lune Street, with married daughter Gertrude and family.

His father died, aged 91, in 1954.

We currently have no further information on William James McFarlane. 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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