Cpl 21951 Alfred Greenwood

• Age: 28
• From: St Helens, Lancs
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Sunday 30th July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

Alfred was born in St Helens in 1888, the son of Walter Greenwood and his wife Ellen (nee Neill). His parents were both born in Lancashire, Walter in Cronton, and Ellen in Tarbock. They married on the 6th June 1881 at the Parish Church of St Helens, Walter was a 21 year old grocer, Ellen was 22, and they went on to have six children. Alfred had older siblings Edward, Walter, and Nellie, and younger siblings Elizabeth Esther and John Neill.

The 1891 census shows the family living at 133 Stanhope Street in St Helens.
The 2 year old Alfred has older siblings – Edward aged 9. Walter 6 and Nellie aged 5. Their father Walter, is aged 31 and is working as a grocers assistant.

His father, Walter, died at the age of 36 in late 1895 when Alfred was 7 years old, leaving Ellen with six children under 14, and the youngest about one year old.

By the time of the 1901 Census his mother, Ellen now aged 42 is the head of the family, at 143 North Road, St. Helens, with six children at home.  Alfred now 12 has two more siblings Elizabeth aged 8 and John aged 6. His two elder brothers are working: Edward, 19, is a grocer's assistant, and 16-year old Walter is a glassworker's apprentice. They have a boarder, Esther Dixon, 24, an elementary school teacher.

His brother Edward died in 1904, aged just 22.

The 1911 census shows Ellen, now 52, still living at 143 North Road. Living with her are Alfred, aged 22 who is a brewery clerk – later records show he worked for Greenall Whitley, Elizabeth 18, who is at school, and John 16 who is a lab assistant in the chemical works.

Alfred was a teacher in St Mark’s Church Sunday School and a member of the church choir.

He enlisted in the Territorial R.A.M.C on 23rd May 1911, aged 22, giving his occupation as clerk with Greenall Whitley, and next of kin his mother Ellen at 143 North Road.  He was promoted to Corporal on 11th July 1912 and to Lance Sergeant on 24th May 1913. He was discharged on 22nd May 1914 having completed three years' service.

He married Louise Goodwin on 20th July 1914 at Eccleston Parish Church.

Pre-war he had served in the West Lancs. Field Ambulance. 

Alfred enlisted on 10th November 1914 at Liverpool, joining the 20th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment, as Private 21951. He gave his age as 26 years and 124 days and his occupation as a clerk. He was described as being five feet six inches tall, weighed 119lbs, 34” chest, with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and light brown hair. He gave his religion as Church of England. He gave as next of kin his wife Louie at Neill Cottage, Moss Bank, St. Helens.

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th 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. 

Alfred became a father in October 1915 when Louie gave birth to a son, Michael (Alfred was granted a weeks leave in June 1916 so he did get to see his baby son).

07.11.15: Embarked for France with his battalion.

08.11.15: Appointed paid Lance Corporal.

Alfred was granted a weeks leave in June 1916 so he did get to see his son Michael, he arrived back in France on 1st July 1916 and was appointed acting Corporal.

He was killed in action on the 30th July 1916, aged 28, at the village of Guillemont, France, during the Somme Offensive. 

The 20^th King’s Battalion Diary records:

“At 4.45am prompt the attack was launched. Unfortunately, a thick mist prevailed and it was impossible to see more than 10 yards ahead. This continued until about 6 o’clock when it lifted slightly, but it was still too hazy and impossible to see what was happening 100 yards ahead. This being so, it was not surprising to find that the attacking waves were experiencing great difficulty in maintaining connection.”

At 6am, Lt. RE Melly, No.1 Company, reported that his men had taken the German Maltz Horn trench.

At 6.30am, 2/Lt. CP Moore reported that he had 150 men, 4 Stokes Mortars and 2 Lewis Guns, but he was the only officer. He also said that due to the fog, both his “flanks were in the air” i.e. he was not in contact with neighbouring troops.

At 9.10am, Moore was still not in contact at his flanks, and now he had only 75 men, he had sent out 2 patrols and neither not returned. Later Moore established communication with the French on his right.

Around 10.00am, 2/Lt Musker reported that he had just over a company with him, but his left flank was suffering from German machine gun fire. Later he reported that he had over 30 casualties from the machine gun fire. His flanks were also “in the air”. No contact was made with this party until the remnants returned around 9.30pm, all runners sent were killed or missing. The War Diary states that this group had: ”held the ground won all day, and this permitted the consolidation of the ground won on the Maltz Horn ridge with little interference from the enemy”.

Relief for 20/Kings had been planned for 11.00pm, but it was 5.00am on the 31st July before it took place, ending a tragic day for the Liverpool Pals.

Casualties for 20^th Battalion were 16 Officers and 357 Other Ranks

When darkness fell on the battlefield the 30^th Division held a line from the railway on the eastern side of Trones Wood , southwards and including Arrow Head Copse, to east of Maltz Horn Farm. On this line the division was relieved by the 55^th Division during the early hours of the 31^st July. 

The events of 30^th July 1916 were regarded at the time as Liverpool’s blackest day. There follows an extract from The History of the 89^th Brigade written by Brigadier General Ferdinand Stanley which gives an indication of the events of the day.

Guillemont

Well the hour to advance came, and of all bad luck in the world it was a thick fog; so thick that you couldn’t see more than about ten yards. It was next to impossible to delay the attack – it was much too big an operation- so forward they had to go. It will give some idea when I say that on one flank we had to go 1,750 yards over big rolling country. Everyone knows what it is like to cross enclosed country which you know really well in a fog and how easy it is to lose your way. Therefore, imagine these rolling hills, with no landmarks and absolutely unknown to anyone. Is it surprising that people lost their way and lost touch with those next to them? As a matter of fact, it was wonderful the way in which many men found their way right to the place we wanted to get to. But as a connected attack it was impossible.

The fog was intense it was practically impossible to keep direction and parties got split up. Owing to the heavy shelling all the Bosches had left their main trenches and were lying out in the open with snipers and machine guns in shell holes, so of course our fellows were the most easy prey.

It is so awfully sad now going about and finding so many splendid fellows gone.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Courier on 10th August 1916:

News of the death of Corpl.Alfred Greenwood, of the 20th King's Liverpool Pals, has caused great regret at St.Helens. Corporal Greenwood was an old chorister of St.Mark's Church, St.Helens, and was in the office of Messrs. Greenall, Whitley and Co. He served four years on the 3rd West Lancashire R.A.M.C. On the outbreak of was he joined the Liverpool "Pals," and was greatly respected by his company. He leaves a widow and little boy. 

The next day the St. Helens newspaper also reported on his death:

"Corporal Alfred Greenwood, of the Liverpool "Pals", who has been killed in action, was 28 years of age, and for 15 years was employed on the clerical staff of Messrs. Greenall, Whitley and Co., at their Hall Street offices. He enlisted in the Liverpool "Pals" soon after the outbreak of war, and went to France with his battalion in November last. For many years he was a prominent worker at St. Mark's Church, where his loss will be deplored by many. He leaves a widow and one young child. The following letter has been received by Mrs. Greenwood:-

August 2nd, 1916
Mrs. Greenwood,