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BIDSTON St OSWALD'S PARISH CHURCH WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 - Detailed information
Compiled and copyright © Martin Edwards 2013

This memorial is to be found within St Oswald's Church in Bidston Village Road, Bidston, Cheshire. It takes the form of a very ornate stone plaque on a black marble base with an elaborate carving of a gun, in relief, at the top. It lists in detail twenty-one names of those who died in World War 1.

Photograph Copyright © Roger Penny 2013

TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY
OF THE FOLLOWING FROM THID CHURCH AND
PARISH WHO AT THE CALL OF DUTY LAID DOWN
THEIR LIVES FOR KING AND COUNTRY
IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 - 1919

ALLENDER Frederick
Engineer Sub-Lieutenenat, H.M.S. Vanguard, Royal Navy. Killed at sea by an internal explosion of H.M.S. Vanguard at Scapa Flow 9 July 1917. Aged 21. Son of George Frederick and Mary Esther Allender. Born at Birkenhead. Brother of Miss R Allender. In the 1911 census Fredrick (sic) Allender was aged 17, a boarder with Henry Deverell, a Ship Fitter's Apprentice, born Bidstyon, resident at 53, Church Street, Birkenhead. No known grave. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 20.
BAZETT Arthur Hugh
Captain, 4th Battalion (Territorial), Cheshire Regiment. Killed in action at Gallipoli 10 August 1915 (memorial states 9 August 1915). Aged 25. Son of Arthur and Annie M Bazett, of "Bidston," Worplesdon Hill, Woking. In the 1901 census he is listed as a son, aged 11, born Birkenhead, resident with his family at 54 Shrewsbury Road, Birkenhead' his father was a Cotton Merchant. Went to Gallipoli July 1915. Buried in GREEN HILL CEMETERY, Turkey (including Gallipoli). Plot II. Row B. Grave 25.

His British Army Service Record give the following information:

He was born in the parish of Christ Church, Birkenhead. He was aged 19 years 1 month when he enlisted. He was a Cotton Trader with Messrs Jaynson, Bentley & Co., Orleans House, Liverpool. he was resident at 62 Bidston Road, Oxton. He enlisted in the 4th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment 15 March 1909. His parents were Arthur and mAry Bazett of 62 Bidston Road, Oxton.

BULLEN William Francis
Second Lieutenant, 10th Battalion, The King's (Liverpool Regiment). Missing in action at Hooge 16 June 1915 presumed killed. Aged 23. Son of William and Elizabeth Eleanor Bullen, of Bidston, Birkenhead. In the 1911 census he was the son of William and Elizabeth Eleanor Bullen, living at Whinmoor, Bidston, aged 20. unmarried, a Cotton Apprentice, born Liverpool. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 4 and 6.

BIBBY Charles Leslie
Private 15784, 17th Battalion, The King's (Liverpool Regiment). Wounded at Guillemont 30 July 1916, died of wounds 17 August 1916 at 2 Station Hospital, Abbeville. Aged 24. Born and enlisted Liverpool, resident Bidston. Son of Joseph and Ruth Bibby, of The Priory, Bidston, Birkenhead. Buried in ABBEVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY, Somme, France. Plot VI. Row J. Grave 4.

His British Army Service Record give the following information:

He was born in the parish of Grassendale, Liverpool. He was aged 22 years 330 days when he enlisted. He was a Manager. He enlisted 1 September 1914 at Liverpool. He was posted tot he front 7 November 1915. His possessions at his death ammounted to 1 dish, 1 purse, 3 letters and a card. He suffered shrapnel wounds to his back in July and then gunshot wounds to the chest 6 August 1916, of which he died. He was 5 feet 5½ inches, had a 35½ inch girth, dark complexion, brown eyes, dark hair, weighed 134lbs; he was Wesleyan. He spent a short period, 24 February to 3 March 1915, in Rainhill Hospital suffering from influenza & vaccination (8 days). He was inoculated 1st and 11th Decmeber 1914 and vaccinated 15 February 1915.

BIBBY Joseph Morten
Second Lieutenant, 8th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment. Missing after the attack on Monchy 3 May 1917 presumed killed. Aged 28. Son of Joseph and Ruth Bibby, of The Priory, Bidston, Birkenhead. IN the 1911 census he is unmarried, aged 22, a Clerk, born Lancaster, residing with his family at The Priory, Bidston. Went to the front 7 November 1915. He started out as Private 22013, Liverpool Regiment. No known grave. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 4 and 5.

COLE Leslie Stewart
Second Lieutenant, 3rd Battalion attached 2nd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment. Killed in action at Loos 3 October 1915. Aged 24. Son of Henry Alexander and Rhoda Cole, of The Homestead, Vyner Rd., Bidston, Cheshire. Educated at Uppingham School and Clare College, Cambridge. No known grave. Commemorated on LOOS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 49 and 50.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918

COLE, LESLIE STEWART, 2nd Lieut., 3rd (Reserve), attd. 2nd (22nd. Foot), Battn. The Cheshire Regt., eldest s. of Henry Alexander Cole, of Liverpool, and of The Homestead, Bidston, co. Chester, by his wife, Rhoda, dau. of Capt. Edmund Stewart Rice; b. Blundellsands, Liverpool, 19 May, 1891; educ. Uppingham School, and Clare College, Cambridge; subsequently joined his father's firm, Messrs.. Henry A. Cole & Co. Ltd., Liverpool and Birkenhead, of which he was the prospective head; volunteered his services on the outbreak of war, and was gazetted 2nd Lieut. 3rd Cheshire Regt. 15 Aug. 1914; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from May, being then attached to the 2nd Battn. as Machine Gun Officer, and was killed in action at the Hohenzollern Redoubt, during the Battle of Loos, 3 Oct. 1915, while in command of the machine guns. A brother officer, who was wounded in the same action, wrote: “He was always cheery and welcomed wherever he went. His men had the greatest regard for him, and would have followed him anywhere. I had not seen him in real action until we met in the Hohenzollern Redoubt, and I was struck by his remarkable coolness and bravery under the terrible ordeal. He was working his guns with deadly effect to the attacking enemy, and holding them in check, completely stopping their rushes and for a time saving our line from being surrounded. He died in a noble attempt to save his comrades." Unm.

CHRISTIE Andrew
Corporal 3632, 1st/10th (Liverpool Scottish) Battalion, The King's (Liverpool Regiment). Died on active service in 25 Stationary Hospital, Rouen 30 June 1916. Aged 21. Born Rock Ferry, Cheshire, enlisted Liverpool, resident Birkenhead. Son of James and Eliza Christie, of 52, Hoylake Rd., Birkenhead. Buried in ST. SEVER CEMETERY, ROUEN, Seine-Maritime, France. Plot A. Row 21. Grave 41.

His British Army Service Record gives the following information:

He was resident at 52 Hoylake Road, Birkenhead. He enlisted 12 September 1914 at Liverpool. Died in 25 Stationary Hospital, Rouen. he had served 1 year and 292 days at his death. He went with the Expediionary Force to France 23 January 1915. He was 19 years 6 months when he enlisted, He was 5 feet 6 inches tall with a girth of 36½ inches, wieghed 159 lbs. His personal effects were listed as letters, 5 photographs, 1 wrist watch in strap, 1 cap badge, 1 comb, 1 clean knife and a bag. His two sisters are listed. He was promoted to Lance Corporal 13 December 1915 and Corporal 16 April 1916.

EVANS Edward Herbert Sandford
Lieutenant Temporary Captain, 18th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. Killed in action in France 22 July 1916. In the 1911 census he was the head of the family, living with his brother Ernest, at Brentwood, Bidston, aged 18, an apprentice to a firm, born Birkenhead; they had four servants. In the 1901 census he was a boarder, aged 8, a scholar, born Birkenhead, resident Walter Earle, Bilton Grange, Rugby. Buried in PERONNE ROAD CEMETERY, MARICOURT, Somme, France. Plot III. Row C. Grave 28.
GARDNER William George
Private 406657, "A" Company, 8th Battalion, The King's (Liverpool Regiment). Killed in action at Cambrai 13 September 1918. Aged 27. Born Liverpool, enlisted Birkenhead, resident Bidston. Son of William and Annie Sophia Gardner, of Church Farm, Bidston, Cheshire. Formerly 25016, Cheshire Regiment. In the 1911 census his father was a farmer, William George Gardner was unmarried, working on his father's farm, aged 20, born Liverpool, resident Bidston. No known grave. Commemorated on VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 3 and 4.
HARVIE, MC Eric Fulton
Captain, 1st Battalion, The Gordgon Highlanders. Killed in action at Hinges, La Bassee Canal, 15 June 1918. Aged 22. Born 25 January 1896. Son of John W. and Edith Harvie, of Bidston, Cheshire. Brother of Stuasrt McLaren Harvie (below). Previously wounded on four different occasions, twice in the battles of the Somme in 1916, at Bullecourt in May 1917, and again at Passchendaele in Oct., 1917. Awarded the Military Cross. In the 1901 census he was aged 5, born Oxton, Cheshire, son of John W and Edith Harvie, resident Kingsmead, Bidston Hill, Bidston, Bidston cum Ford, Birkenhead, Cheshire. Buried in SANDPITS BRITISH CEMETERY, FOUQUEREUIL, Pas de Calais, France. Plot II. Row F. Grave 3. See also and Charterhouse School.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918, volume 5, page 80:

HARVIE, ERIC FULTON, M.C., Capt., 1st Battn. (75th Foot), The Gordon Highlanders, 2nd s. of John Walter Harvie, of Kingsmead, Bidston, co. Chester, by his wife, Edith, dau. of John Hagart McLaren; and brother to 2nd Lieut. Stuart McLaren Harvie (q.v.); b. Oxton, co. Chester, 25 Jan. 1896; educ. Moorland House School, and Charterhouse, and was entered for Christ's College, Cambridge; gazetted 2nd Lieut. 2 Jan. 1915; promoted Lieut. 1 Jan. 1917, and Capt. 18 March, 1918; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from Nov. 1915; was wounded on four occasions, twice in the Somme battles in 1916; at Bullecourt in May, 1917; also at Passchendaele the following Oct., and was killed in action at Hinges, near La Bassée Canal, 15 June, 1918. Buried there. He was awarded the Military Cross [London Gazette, 17 Dec. 1917) for conspicuous gallantry and leadership while leading a company at Passchendaele in Oct. 1917. Capt. Harvie was an excellent shot. a keen rider to hounds from boyhood, and an all-round athlete. He represented Charterhouse several times at football, and later played for his battalion; Unm.

Extract from Probate Calendars of England & Wales 1918:

HARVIE Eric Fulton. of Kingsmead Bidston Cheshire captain Gordon Highlanders M.C. died 15 June 1918 in France Administration Chester 10 August to John Walter Harvie stockbroker. Effects £398 8s. 9d.

HARVIE Stuart McLaren
Second Lieutenant, 2nd Battalion attached 6th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps. Died of wounds at Vermelles, La Basse Canal, 1 June 1918. Aged 19. Son of John W. and Edith Harvie, of Kingsmead, Bidston, Cheshire. Brother of Eric Fulton Harvie (above). In the 1901 census he was aged 2, born Oxton, Cheshire, son of John W and Edith Harvie, resident Kingsmead, Bidston Hill, Bidston, Bidston cum Ford, Birkenhead, Cheshire. In the 1911 census he was aged 12, born Bidston, Cheshire, a school boarder, resident Moorland House, Heswall, Cheshire. Buried in PERNES BRITISH CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot II. Row E. Grave 39. See also and Charterhouse School.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918

HARVIE, STUART McLAREN, 2nd Lieut., 2nd Battn. (60th Foot), The King's Royal Rifle Corps, 4th s. of John Walter Harvie, of Kingsmead, Bidston, co. Chester, by his wife, Edith, dau. of John Hagart McLaren; and brother to Capt. Eric Fulton Harvie, M.C. (q.v.); b. Oxton, co. Chester, 18 Nov. 1898; educ. Moorland' House School, Heswall; Charterhouse, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut., King's Royal Rifle Corps, in Dec. 1917: served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from the following March, and died at No. 1 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station 1 June, 1918, from wound, received in action at Vermelles, La Bassée Canal, on the 24th of the previous month. Buried in the British Cemetery, Pernesen-Artois. Second Lieut. Harvie was a good all-round athlete, an excellent horseman, and a keen follower of the Wirral Harriers from early days; Unm.

Extract from Probate Calendars of England & Wales 1918:

HARVIE Stuart McLaren of Kingsmead Bidston Cheshire second-lieutenant King's Royal Rifle Corps died 1 June 1918 in France at No. 1 Canadian Clearing Station Administration Chester 10 August to John Walter Harvie stockbroker. Effects £118 7s. 9d.

HOUGH, MC Eric Bernard
Temporary Captain, 19th Battalion, The King's (Liverpool Regiment). Killed in action at Voormezeele 28 April 1918. Aged 21. Son of Ernest Edward Hough, of "Sherwood," Vyner Rd., Bidston, Cheshire, and the late Louisa Hough. Awarded the Military Cross (M.C.). In the 1911 census he is a boarder, aged 14, born West Kirby, Cheshire, residing in The Mount School, Caldy Road, West Kirby. No known grave. Commemorated on TYNE COT MEMORIAL, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 31 to 34 and 162 and 162A and 163A.
NEWHOUSE Frederick aka Fred
Acting Corporal 7435, 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment. Killed in action at Ypres 22 October 1914. Aged 27. Born Birkenhead, enlisted Chester. Son of the late Matthew and Elizabeth Audrey Newhouse, of Bidston, Cheshire. In the 1911 cemsus he was a Regular Solider, aged 24, born Birkenhead, resident with the 2nd Battalion, Cheshire Regiemnet at The Ridge, Jubbulpore, India. No known grave. Commemorated on LE TOURET MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 13.
PARKINSON George
Private 39802, 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Died in France 12 November 1916. Born Moreton, Cheshire, enlisted Birkenhead. In the 1911 census George was a servant, aged 31, a Cowman on Farm, born Moreton, resident Bidston Hill. In the 1901 census he was a servant, aged 22, resident Rock Cottage, Bidston Hill, Bidston Cum Ford, Bidston. IN the 1891 census he was the son of John Parkinson, a widower, resident at Moreton Cum Lingham, Moreton. Buried in HEILLY STATION CEMETERY, MERICOURT-L'ABBE, Somme, France. Plot V. Row E. Grave 12.
PATON Morton Brown
Captain, 10th Battalion, Prince Of Wales's Volunteers (South Lancashire Regiment) attached 5th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. Killed in action at Gallipoli 7 August 1915. Aged 44. Son of the Rev. Dr. John Brown Paton and Mrs. Jessie Paton, of Nottingham. Cotton merchant of Liverpool. Formerly of Balliol College, Oxford. No known grave. Commemorated on HELLES MEMORIAL, Turkey (including Gallipoli). Panel 139 and 140.
PEMBERTON William Thomas
Private 45971, 15th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment. Killed in action in France 21 June 1918. Born Bidston, enlisted Birkenhead. Husband of C. Pemberton, of 20, Station Rd., Bridston (sic), Birkenhead. In the 1911 census he was the son of Thomas and Mary Pemberton, aged 23. working on his father's farm, born Bidston Hill and resident Bidston Hill. Buried in ENGLEBELMER COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Somme, France. Plot/Row/Section E. Grave 24.
RANDLES John
Serjeant 200383, 1/4th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment. Killed in action in Egypt 6 November 1917. Aged 35. Born Oxton, Birkenhead, enlisted Birkenhead. Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Randles, of Eastcourt Cottage, Holm Lane, Oxton, Birkenhead. No known grave. Commemorated on JERUSALEM MEMORIAL, Israel and Palestine (including Gaza). Panel 19.
SPALDING Robert Gordon
[Memorial states 3rd Battalion] Second Lieutenant, "A" Company, 2nd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment. Died of wounds at Etaples 28 September 1915. Aged 30. Son of Hinton and Margaret Spalding, of West Brow, Bidston, Birkenhead. Born at Liverpool. Buried in ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row B. Grave 6.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918

SPALDING, ROBERT GORDON, 2nd Lieut., 2nd Battn. (82nd Foot) South Lancashire Regt., elder s. of the late Hinton Spalding, of Jamaica and Liverpool, F.R.G.S., by his wife, Margaret (West Brow, Bidston, Birkenhead), dau. of Frauds Thornely; b. Liverpool, 5 April, 1885: educ. Greenbank School there, and Sedbergh, co. York; was in the offices of Duncan, Ewing & Co., and the Perim Coal Company, both of Liverpool. and acted as a Special Constable during railway strike, Liverpool, 1911; gazetted 2nd Lieut. South Lancashire Regt. 10 Jan. 1915; went to France 15 May, 1915; was wounded by shrapnel in Sanctuary Wood, near Ypres, 25 Sept., and died in No. 20 General Hospital, Etaples, on the 28th, from wounds received in action at Hooge, near Ypres. Buried at Etaples. His brother, Hinton Spalding, is now (1918) on active service with the Highland Howitzer Brigade; unm.

WALL Angus
Gunner 229565, 3rd Reinforcement Company attached to "C" Battery, 168th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Killed in action at Ypres 23 October 1917. Aged 35. Enlisted and resident Birkenhead. Eldest son of John Angus and Isabella Wall; husband of Sarah Wall, of 38, Primrose Rd., Birkenhead. In the 1911 census he was resident with his father-in-law at 26 Jermyn Street, Liverpool, aged 29, a Clerk, born Liverpool. Buried in MINTY FARM CEMETERY, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot II. Row C. Grave 24.
WILLIAMS, MC Harry Ben (Benjamin)
Second Lieutenant, 5th Battalion (Territorial) attached 13th Battalion, The King's (Liverpool Regiment). Killed in action near Arras 3 May 1917. Son of Harry Ben Williams, of "Westmount," Vyner Rd. South, Birkenhead. and the late Gertrude M. Williams. In the 1911 census he was aged 16, at school, born Oxton, Cheshire, resident with his family at Westmount, Bidston. Awarded the Military Cross (M.C.). No known grave. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 3.

WILSON Maude Millicent

Voluntary Aid Detachment (V.A.D.) R.R.S.C. (possibly Russian Railway Service Corps) Croix Rouge Francaise (French Red Cross). Medaille D'Honneur (Medal of Honour). Died nursing in Mentone 27 March 1917. In the 1911 census she is the daughter of Alexander and Edith Wilson (he was a solictor), aged 24, born Waterton, Lancashire, resident 16 Ashville Road, Birkenhead.

The England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations) has the following entry:

WILSON Maude Millicent of Firwood Eleanor-road Bidston Cheshire spinster died 27 March 1917 at The Auxiliary Hospital of the Entente Cordiale 222 Mentone France Administration London 10 July to Alexander Wilson solicitor.
Effects £697 10s.

AND ALSO IN MEMORY OF
HUTCHINSON Phyllis

Died in the sinking of the Lusitania 7 May 1915. In the 1911 census Phyliis was the daughter of Edward and Lucy Hutchinson (he was a Flour Miller), aged 20, born Birkenhead and resident Woodcroft, Bidston.

Note: The sinking of the Cunard ocean liner RMS Lusitania occurred on 7 May 1915 during the First World War, as Germany waged submarine warfare against the United Kingdom. The ship was identified and torpedoed by the German U-boat U-20 and sank in 20 minutes. The vessel went down 11 miles (18 km) off the Old Head of Kinsale, Ireland, killing 1,198 and leaving 761 survivors.

AND UNDERNEATH ARE THE EVERLASTING ARMS

Last updated 19 April, 2022

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