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
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 31175 Richard Bretherton
- Age: 31
- From: Liverpool
- Regiment: 13th KLR
- Died on Wednesday 5th June 1918
- Commemorated at: Sandpits British Cemetery
Panel Ref: II.C.5
Richard was born in Liverpool on the 02nd December 1886, the son of Richard Bretherton and his wife Martha (née Pownall) who were married on the 17th December 1879 at St Michael in the Hamlet Church, Toxteth. Richard senior was a 28 year old plasterer of Marshall Street, father John a plasterer, whilst Martha was aged 24 also of Marshall Street, father John a blacksmiths striker. (They also had a son Richard who died in infancy in 1885.)
Richard junior was baptised on the 07th August 1899 at St Peter's Church, Liverpool, his father a plasterer of Pyramid Street.
On the 1891 Census the family, all born in Liverpool, are living at 43 Luther St, Everton. Father Richard is aged 38, a plasterer, mother Martha is aged 30, children at school are John 10, Hannah 8, Richard 4, with Thomas 2.
On the 1901 Census the family have moved to 14 Pyramid St, Everton. His father, Richard, is aged 51, a plasterer and bricklayer, mother Martha is aged 42, children John 19, a plasterer and bricklayer, Anne 18, Richard 14, a shop boy, Thomas 11, Phoebe 9, twins Christina and Charles 7, and Miriam 4.
Richard was a scholar of St Polycarp’s, Netherfield Road.
On the 1911 Census the family have moved to 32 Havelock Street, Everton. His father, Richard, is aged 60, a jobbing plasterer,his mother, Martha, is aged 54. They advised that they had been married for 30 years, and have had 11 children, 8 of whom have survived. All eight surviving children are in the household; John 29, a jobbing plasterer, Anne 27, Richard 22(?), a painter, Thomas 20, a painter, Phoebe 19, twins Christina and Charles 16, and Miriam 14.
His service record has not survived so his military career can only be estimated.
Richard enlisted in Liverpool as Private 31175, probably with the 17th Battalion King’s Liverpool Regiment. As he did not receive the 1915 Star he must have arrived in France in 1916.
His brother Thomas enlisted in Liverpool on the 09th September 1914 as Pte 14382 in General Service and transferred to the Loyal North Lancs.
Richard was killed in action on the 5th June 1918 in the area of Chocques, west of Bethune.
13th Battn. King’s Liverpool Regt. - War Diary
CHOCQUES
4th Sept 1918 - The usual inspections were held prior to going into the line and at night the Battalion moved up to the relief of these 2nd SUFFOLK REGT in the RIGHT SUBSECTION HINGES SECTION.
5th - On completion of relief the Battalion was disposed as follows:-
“A” Coy RIGHT FRONT, “D” Coy LEFT FRONT, “C” Coy SUPPORT, “B” Coy RESERVE.
All work was duly taken over and the usual patrols organized and carrying parties provided.
6th - Remained in this position. About 12 a.m. the enemy attempted to raid one of our posts but was easily repulsed with rifle and Lewis gun fire before he got within 20 yards of the post.
His death was reported in the Liverpool Weekly Courier on Saturday 18 July 1918:
Pte Richard Bretherton K.L.R., aged 29 years, is reported killed in action on June 5th, 1918 after nearly two and a half years service. He was an old scholar of St Polycarp’s. His family reside a 32 Havelock Street, Everton.
Richard earned his two medals.
His Soldiers Effects, Army pay of £17 6s 76d, £13 War Gratuity and Pension went to father Richard. His Pension went to mother Martha, 32 Havelock Street.
His family remebered Richard in the Liverpool Evening Express on Thursday 05 June 1919:
BRETHERTON - The loving memory of my brother, Richard, 17th K.L.R. (Pals), who fell in action, June 5, 1918.
How we watched for his safe return,
How we longed to clasp his hand;
But God has postponed the meeting,
It will be in the better land.
- John and Marion.
BRETHERTON - In loving memory of Richard Bretherton, killed in action, June 5. — Fondly remembered by Lizzie, and all at 89 Canterbury-street.
His family again paid tribute to Richard in the Liverpool Weekly Courier on Saturday 07 June 1919:
BRETHERTON - In loving memory of my dear son, Private Richard Bretherton, 13th K.L.R. (late 17th Pals), killed in action, June 5, 1918. (Sadly missed by all the family, 32 Havelock Street.)
Gathered to the Saviour's breast,
May God grant him eternal rest.
He now rests at Sandpits British Cemetery, Fouquereuil.
The cemetery was begun by XIII Corps at the outset of the German advance in April 1918, and continued to be used by them until September 1918. There are now 394 First World War burials in the cemetery. The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.
His father, died aged 74, on the 20th December 1920 and was buried at Everton Cemetery.
On the 1921 Census his widowed mother, Martha, is aged 65, and living with her four daughters Annie 38, Christina 29, Phoebe 26, and Miriam 25.
His mother died aged 76 on the 08th January 1934 and was buried at Everton Cemetery.
The family grave reads:-
In loving memory of
RICHARD BRETHERTON
Who died 20th Dec 1920, aged 74
And of MARTHA his beloved wife
Who died 8th Jan 1934, aged 76
Also of CHARLES their beloved son
who died 26th April 1913, aged 19
also of RICHARD their beloved son
Killed in action 5th June 1918, aged 30.
Killed On This Day.
(109 Years this day)Tuesday 5th June 1917.
Pte 23113 James Mellor
25 years old
(108 Years this day)
Wednesday 5th June 1918.
Pte James Douglas Quilliam
23 years old
(108 Years this day)
Wednesday 5th June 1918.
Pte 31175 Richard Bretherton
31 years old