Pte 22217 William Lockart Pinkerton

• Age: 20
• From: Birkenhead, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 3rd July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

William Lockart Pinkerton (known as Billy) was born in early July 1896 in Birkenhead, Cheshire. His middle name was registered as Lockhart, although both CWGC and the military have him as Lockart. He was the youngest of six children born to Thomas Pinkerton and his wife Marion Glendining Wright who were married in Birkenhead in 1883.  His father was from Donegal, Ireland, and his mother was born in Birkenhead.  Billy’s siblings were Alexander, Marion, John, Eleanor, and Thomas. 

In 1901 the family is living at 35 Park Road East, Birkenhead, with six children. His father is a self-employed grocer/shopkeeper. William is 4.  His brother Thomas died in 1908, aged 15.  In 1911 they are at the same address. His father is a grocer/employer. Willie (as he is listed) is 14, and at school. His four siblings are living at home, and helping in the business.

Billy enlisted in Liverpool on the 05^th November 1914 as Private 22217, No.1 company, 20^th Bn, King’s (Liverpool) Regiment, giving his age as 19 years and 124 days, and his occupation as a clerk.  In fact, he was 18 years old but lied about his age in order to serve overseas.  He is described as being 5’ 5” tall, weighing 126 lbs, with brown eyes and hair.  He gives his next of kin as his father Thomas, 35 Park Road East, Birkenhead, and his religion as Church of England. William, either through illiteracy or error, signs his attestation as Lockart, that is then propogated throughout his military records 

Billy would have been quartered at Tournament Hall in Knotty Ash, Liverpool, until the end of January 1915 when three of the four Pals battalions move to Knowsley Hall to begin infantry training.  In April the battalions leave Liverpool for Belton Park Camp in Grantham, Lincolnshire.  Whilst there, on 30^th August 1915, Billy was confined to barracks for three days for being absent without leave for two days. Soon after, the battalions move to Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain for final infantry training before leaving for the front.  Billy shipped to France with his battalion, disembarking at Boulogne on 07^th November 1915. 

In December 1915 the 20^th Bn is sent to Bienvillers on the Somme front.  In the new year the Pals battalions take up position in the south of the Somme line near Carnoy.  In May they move to Abbeville for specialist training for the ‘Big Push’.  The Battle of the Somme begins on 1^st July 1916, with the 20^th Bn in trenches near Maricourt.  The losses on this day make it the bloodiest day in British military history.  The 20^th Bn takes its objectives, but with casualties of 100 of all ranks.  On the 2^nd and 3^rd patrols were sent into Bernafay Wood and the battalion trenches were shelled heavily and suffered a number of casualties.  Private Billy Pinkerton was killed in action, aged 20 years.

His body was never recovered, or subsequently lost, and he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.  

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.”

(CWGC has his date of death as 3^rd July 1916, but Soldiers’ effects and the Casualty Form of his service record show date of death as 1^st July.)

His parents placed a notice in the Liverpool Echo, on 12^th July 1916: 

 “July 3, killed in action, aged 20 years, Private William (Billy) Pinkerton (Pals), the dearly loved youngest son of Thomas and Marion Pinkerton, 35 Park Road East, Birkenhead.”

The Birkenhead News of 15th July 1916 reported:

Another "Pal" Gives Up His Life

"The numerous friends of Mr and Mrs Pinkerton and family of 35 Park Road East, are extremely sorry to hear of the death in action on 3rd of July of Private William Pinkerton of the Liverpool "Pals". He was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs Pinkerton and was very popular among a wide circle of friends. The young man was killed only three days after his 20th birthday. His battalion had stormed a certain position and after “real hard fighting” had succeeded in capturing and holding it. He was on duty with three of his intimate friends when a High Explosive shell burst near them killing the three young men instantaneously and wounding several others…One of his officers spoke of him in the highest terms “It may please you to know that your son was in my opinion a really splendid fellow. He suffered all the hardships of the winter without a murmur. He was always cheerful, when grousing could not have been blamed. When I took over No 3 Platoon some months ago from our present Company Commander he pointed out your son as one of the good ones who could be depended upon. It may comfort you to know that your son was killed instantly – he had not a moment’s suffering. There were two of his intimate friends who were killed by the same shell and they were all buried side by side”. He was an ardent supporter of outdoor sport, especially football. He was educated at Tranmere Higher Grade School and joined the Pals when they were formed. He had been at the front for 8 months and had had several narrow escapes and will be sadly missed by his friends”

Birkenhead News 15th July 1916

PINKERTON -  July 3, killed in action, age 20 years, Private William (Billy) Pinkerton ("Pals"), the dearly loved youngest son of Thomas and Marion Pinkerton, 35 Park Road East, Birkenhead.

PINKERTON - In affectionate remembrance of our dear friend Willie, killed in action, 3rd July 1916.

" His merry laugh,

His cheerful smile,

Are pleasant to recall;

He had a kindly word for each

And died beloved by all "

He was remembered in subsequent years following his loss:

Birkenhead News 15th July 1917

In the annual report book of the Birkenhead and District Grocers' Association is being inserted a page which reads as follows:-

Roll of Honour - Members' Sons who have made the supreme sacrifice for King and Country

William Lockhart Pinkerton, son of Mr T. Pinkerton, Price Street.

Birkenhead News 6th July 1918

PINKERTON - In affectionate remembrance of our dear friend Willie (Pinky) 4th Pals, K.L.R., killed in action, 3rd July 1916. "In fond remembrance yet he smiles." - Never forgotten by Nell and Ern (in Salonika), 9 Ilchester Road, Seacombe.

PINKERTON - In affectionate remembrance of Private William L. Pinkerton (Billy), 4th Pals, K.L.R., killed in action, July 3rd 1916. His memory will live forever in the heart of his chum Elves and all at 462 Park Road North, Birkenhead.

Billy earned his three medals, which his father signed for.

Both parents died in 1937, his father in the March quarter, aged 81 and his mother in the June quater aged 74. 

He is commemorated on thefollowing Memorials;

Birkenhead Civil Memorial

Liverpool Presbytery, Grange Road, Birkenhead.

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