Pte 34808 James Henry Furber

James Henry Furber was born 11th December 1894 in Liverpool. He was the son of Henry Furber and his wife Elizabeth Ann (nee Parker). His mother, born in Wavertree, had been married previously, to George Twyford, and had at least seven children, all born in Derbyshire. George died in 1889 and Elizabeth married Henry Furber, a general labourer born in Cheshire, in 1894. James was their only child, and was raised all his life with his step-siblings. 

James attended Clint Road Council School, Edge Hill, Liverpool.  

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 21 Kempton Road Wavertree, Liverpool.

The father Henry is aged 62, born 1849 and is employed as a general labourer and was born in Wymbury, Cheshire. His wife Elizabeth Ann is aged 56 and was born in 1855 in Liverpool and she has no occupation listed. They have been married for eighteen years and have the one son. They have two stepsons from Elizabeth’s first marriage. Their children are Robert Ernest Twyford aged 26, born 1885 and employed as a hay carter, Charles is aged 22, born 1889 and a telephone operator for a railway company were both born in Stanton, Derbyshire and James Henry is aged 16, born 1895 and employed as a van lad also on the railways and was born in Liverpool.

James joined the National Union of Railwaymen (Central Branch) in 1913 when aged 18, and his job role was given as a cleaner.

His father died in 1914.

Unfortunately, James’ service record has not survived, so the details are unknown, but we do know that James enlisted in the 4^th Bn, King’s (Liverpool) Regiment, as Private 34808, and was later transferred to 17^th (Pals) Bn.  James was wounded during the fighting on the Somme, and was evacuated to a casualty clearing station or hospital behind the lines, where he died of his wounds on 15^th July 1916, aged 21. 

He now rests in La Neuville British Cemetery, Corbie, Somme where his headstone bears the epitaph:

“THY WILL NOT MINE BE DONE

        MY HERO AT REST”

In April 1916, No.21 Casualty Clearing Station came to La Neuville and remained there throughout the 1916 Battles of the Somme, until March 1917. La Neuville British Cemetery was opened early in July 1916. Most of the burials date from this period, but a few graves were added during the fighting on the Somme in 1918. Neuville British Cemetery contains 866 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There are also 27 German war graves. The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

His mother placed a notice in the Liverpool Echo on 05^th August 1916: 

“July 15, died of wounds in his 22^nd year, Pte. James H. Furber (Len), King’s (Liverpool Regt.), the dearly loved son of Mrs. Furber, 6, Altcar Avenue.  (Sadly missed). – Charlie and Lizzie.”

Liverpool Echo 16th Aug 1917

FURBER - In sad but loving memory of my dear son Private J.H. Furber, 17th K.L.R.,who died from wounds in France July 15th 1916, aged 21 years.

Far from is happy home he sleeps under the foreign sun,

His only thought his country's call, and now his life's work done;

No organ peals has funeral march, but bugle, drum and gun,

And lo ! I hear a heavenly voice, well done ! dear Len, well done !

- Sadly missed and deeply mourned by his sorrowing mother and Bob, 23 Elmore Street, Everton.

His mother Elizabeth Ann received his effects, pension, and war gratuity.  She died in 1925, aged 69. 

James is also commemorated on Liverpool’s Hall of Remembrance, Panel 64.

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