Pte 54111 Albert Edward Forshaw

• Age: 20
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Wednesday 8th May 1918
• Commemorated at: Tyne Cot Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 31-34

Albert Edward Forshaw was born on 06th April 1898 in Liverpool and was baptised 29th May 1898 at Emmanuel Church, Everton. He was the son of William Forshaw and his wife Alice Anne (nee Wilcock). His parents married in 1893 at St Peter's Church, Everton. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 73, Hughes Street, Everton, Liverpool. Albert's father, William, is aged 34, born in Liverpool in 1867 is a cotton porter, his mother Alice Anne is aged 33, born 1868 in Liverpool and has no occupation listed. They have four children at the time of the Census, all born in Liverpool, William aged 6, born 1895, Frederick aged 4, born 1897, Albert Edward aged 2, and Alice born 1901.  

The 1911 Census shows the family are still living at 73, Hughes Street, Everton, Liverpool. His father William  is aged 44 and is a cotton porter. His mother Alice Anne is aged 43. They advise that they have been married for 17 years and have had 8 children, 5 of whom have survived. They have 5 children in the household; William A. aged 16 is an errand boy, Frederick aged 14 is also an errand boy, Albert Edward aged 12 at school, Alice M. 10 at school, and George 8 at school. They also have a boarder William Pass 60.  

He enlisted in Liverpool and was serving in the 18^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 54111 when he was killed in action on the 08^th May 1918 aged 20 during the German Spring Offensive.

He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.

Those United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after August 16th 1917 are named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war.

The Tyne Cot Memorial now bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Joseph Armitage and F.V. Blundstone, was unveiled by Sir Gilbert Dyett on 20 June 1927.

The memorial forms the north-eastern boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery, which was established around a captured German blockhouse or pill-box used as an advanced dressing station.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 03rd June 1918:

ROLL OF HONOUR

Killed In Action

FORSHAW - May 8, killed in action, in his 20th year, Private Albert Edward Forshaw K.L.R., the dearly beloved third son of William and Alice Forshaw, 73 Hughes Street, Liverpool. (Dearly mourned by all at home)

Somewhere in France in a soldier's grave,

Lies our dear son and one of the brave;

Only those who have lost are able to tell,

The grief of his parents, who loved him well.

Father and Mother

Soldiers effects to his father William and pension to his mother Alice Ann.

Albert Edward is commemorated on the Liverpool Hall of Remembrance at Panel 2. 

 His father died in the March quarter of 1924, aged 57. His mother died in the March quarter of 1931. 

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