Pte James Douglas Quilliam

• Age: 23
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: 5TH KINGS
• Died on Wednesday 5th June 1918
• Commemorated at: Houchin Bc
  Panel Ref: II.F.26

James Douglas was born on 23rd February 1895 the son of William Quilliam and his wife Jane (nee Bridson). He was baptised at St Benedict's Church, Everton almost a year after his birth on 12th February 1896. The baptismal records show that the family residence was at 40 Eastlake Street and that his father was a Police Constable.

The 1901 Census finds the family living at 38 Herschell Street Everton. James is 6 years of age. His father is a Police Constable born on the Isle of Man in 1861, whilst his mother was also born on the Isle of Man in 1859. James has four siblings, all born in Liverpool, listed as; Robert b.1888 William b.1890, John b.1893 and Harriet b.1897 

The family were still living at 38 Herschell Street Everton at the time of the 1911 census. James is now 16 years old and is shown as a Cotton Sampler. His parents are both resident at the property and his father is now shown as a Police pensioner. They have been married for 25 years and have had seven children all of whom have survived childhood. James has two sisters and three brothers listed as: Emily b. 1887 and a confectioner, Robert now and a Tramways cleaner, William Henry now 21 and a clerk, John Charles now 18 and a clerk and Harriet Elizabeth now 14 and at school.
 
James Douglas enlisted on 4th September 1914 at St George's Hall in Liverpool joining the 18th Battalion as Private 16882. He gave his age as 19 years and 161 days and his occupation as a clerk. He was described as being five feet nine inches tall, weighing 127lbs with a 37 inch chest. He had a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair and gave his religion as Wesleyan. 

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th 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.

He was wounded (GSW left arm) on 3rd July 1916 during the opening phase of the Battle of the Somme. He returned to the UK for treatment on 5th July 1916 and did not return to France until 14th November 1916. After disembarking on 15th November he was briefly posted to 12th Battalion KLR before transferring to the 13th Battalion K.L.R. on 25th November 1916.He was wounded in action on 4th May 1917 (GSW left arm again). He was treated in a Field Ambulance, Casualty Clearing Station and 26 General Hospital at Etaples before he returned to the UK on 26th May 1917 on board H.S St Denis for treatment. He was hospitalised initially at Poole and subsequently at Swansea, being discharged from care on 30th June 1917 and was posted to Depot until he returned to France on 12th September 1917 when he was briefly posted to the 4th Battalion K.L.R. until he transferred to the 19th Battalion on 21st September 1917. He served with the 19th Battalion and attended signalling school from 29th December 1917 until 18th February 1918. He was taken ill (unknown origin) in April 1918 and received treatment at Etaples. Upon discharge he was transferred to the 5th Battalion K.L.R on 24th May 1918.

He was killed in action serving with the 5th Battalion K.L.R. just a couple of weeks later on the 05th June1918, aged 23.

He now rests at Houchin British cemetery in France.

The cemetery was opened in March 1918 when the 6th Casualty Clearing Station came to Houchin. From April to September the German advance made Houchin unsafe for hospitals, and the cemetery was used by the 55th (West Lancashire) Division. In September 1918, the 6th Casualty Clearing Station returned to Houchin and was joined by the 15th CCS in October. Houchin British Cemetery contains 700 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and two from the Second World War. There are also 39 German and one Belgian war graves. The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

His death was the second hammer blow to the family in a matter of weeks following the loss of his older brother Robert Walter (see separate biography) who was killed in action on the 22nd March 1918 with the 19th Battalion K.L.R, aged 29. 

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 20th June 1918

QUILLIAM - June 7(sic), killed in action aged 23 years, Private J.D. Quilliam (K.L.R.), fourth beloved son of Mr and Mrs Quilliam, 63 St. Domingo Vale (Duty nobly done.) - Deeply mourned by Father, Mother and Sisters, also Harry (in India) and John (in France).

Soldiers Effects to his father William and Pension to mother Jane and William. 

In October 1918 his father, William, living at 63 St Domingo Vale, Liverpool recieved James' personal belongings which included; Identity disc, photographs, 2 wallets, 2 religious books, wrist watch with protector and strap, safety razor and blades in case, fountain pen, cap badge, diary, signalling certificate and one halfpenny stamp.  

In a sworn declaration on 1st August 1919 his father advised that James' living relatives were himself and his wife and James' siblings William Henry, John Charles, Jane, Emily and Harriet.  

James Douglas earned his three medals.

Both brothers are commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance in Liverpool Town Hall. Robert at Panel 46 and James at Panel 52 and alongside his brother on the Granton Road School Memorial now housed at Breckfield Primary School

James is also on the Cotton Association Memorial at Walker House, Exchange Flags, Liverpool.

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