Pte 30068 Richard Devereux

• Age: 42
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• Died Sunday 19th May 1918
• Commemorated at: Epsom Cem Surrey
  Panel Ref: Screen Wall K.648

Richard Devereux was born in Liverpool on 22 March 1877, the son of Robert Devereux and his wife Mary (nee Lacey). His parents married in Liverpool in 1878. He was baptised in St. Brigid's Roman Catholic Church two days after his birth. His parents were both born in Ireland. Richard was the fifth of six known children, and the only surviving son. He had siblings Bridget, Martin, Ann (died in infancy), Mary Ann, and Catherine.  

In 1881 Richard, aged 4, is living with his parents and four siblings in 4/24 Court, Paul Street, Liverpool. His father is a 42 year old general labourer, his mother is 39 years of age. His siblings, all born in Liverpool, are shown as; Bridget aged 14, Martin aged 11, Mary Ann aged 6 and Catherine aged 2.   

The family is still at the same address is 1891. His father is recorded as a 50 year old bricklayer’s labourer., his mother is recorded as being 47 years of age. Richard is 14, at school and has four siblings in the household; Bridget aged 24, Martin aged 21, Mary Ann aged 16 and Catherine aged 11 is also at school. 

Martin, the twin of Ann, and Richard’s only brother, died in 1892.  

Richard’s father died in 1896, and his mother in 1898. 

In 1901 Richard and his sister Catherine are living at 4 Eaton Street, Liverpool. Richard, is aged 23 and is employed as a tanner, his sister Catherine is aged 21 and is a cotton picker in a cotton warehouse. Also present is Margaret Green, a 13 year old domestic housemaid.  

On 17^th November 1901 Richard married Sarah Sharps in St. Sylvester's Church, Liverpool. Richard gives his address as 72 Ashfield Cottages.

In 1911 Richard and Sarah are living in court housing at 2/7 Hook Street, Liverpool. Richard is a 34 year old tanner’s labourer working from home, Sarah is 33 years old and was born in Liverpool. They advise that they have been married for 10 years and have had five children, two of whom have died young. Their children are all recorded on the census: Robert 9 at school, Mary 7 at school, Thomas 5 at school, Patrick 3 noted as dead, Sarah Ellen 1 also noted as dead. 

They had two more children, Catherine in 1913, and Sarah in 1915.

According to the Medal Roll, Richard first enlisted in the 11^th Bn King’s (Liverpool) Regiment, and was serving in the 19^th Battalion King's Liverpool.Regiment when he died of gunshot wounds and a cerebral abcess at Epsom War Hospital on the 19^th May 1918, aged 42.

He is now commemorated on the Screen Wall in Epsom Cemetery, Surrey.

Screen Walls are a type of memorial for Commonwealth War Dead, they are predominantly used to record the names of individuals who have a known grave but where it is not possible to erect a CWGC headstone or the exact location of the grave is no longer known.

There are 233 First WOrld War burials in the Cemetery. 

His children were 16, 14, 5 and 2 years old when Richard died.

Soldiers Effects and Pension to widow Sarah of 32a Rice Street, and children Mary, Thomas, Catherine and Sarah. His British War Medal and Victory Medal were sent to his widow Sarah, at 204 Great Homer Street, Liverpool.

Richard is commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, panel 4 (as Deveraux).

His widow Sarah, died in 1941, at the age of 62 and was buried at Ford Cemetery.

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