King’s Liverpool Regiment
Link to Liverpool Museum King’s Liverpool Regiment Collection
The King’s Liverpool Regiment is one of the oldest in the Army, dating from 1685. Before the war the Regiment had 2 regular, 2 reserve and 6 territorial battalions; during the war this total rose to 49 battalions of which 26 served overseas. It was at Liverpool that the ‘Pals’ recruitment drive took off largely due to this efforts of Lord Derby – four Pals battalions (17, 18, 19 & 20 Bns) were formed over 2-3 days in late August 1914 with the patriotic enthusiasm spreading to other places, including Oswestry.
King’s Liverpool, regulars cap badge (IWM INS 5535)
Liverpool Pals cap badge (IWM INS 7296)
4 Bn King’s Liverpool
The 4 Bn King’s Liverpool was a reserve battalion mobilised at Seaforth, Liverpool in August 1914. The battalion went over to France on 6 March 1915. Over the next months the battalion served with various divisions finally joining 98 Brigade 33 Division in February 1916. The battalion saw action on the Somme in 1916, at Arras and Third Ypres in 1917 and, in 1918 during the Kaiser Offensive and 100 Days.
Corporal 26963 William H (Henry) Roberts, DoW 29 February 1916, Bethune Town Cemetery
1/5 Bn King’s Liverpool Regiment
The 1/5 Bn King’s Liverpool Regiment was a territorial unit mobilised in August 1914 at their HQ, St Anne St, Liverpool. They went over to France on 22 February 1915 assigned to 6 Brigade, 2 Division and in January 1916 moved to 165 Brigade, 55 (West Lancashire) Division. In 1915 they saw action at the Battles of Festubert and Loos; in1916 were on the Somme; in 1917 at Third Ypres; and in 1918 the Kaiser Offensive and 100 Days. The battalion was demobilised between January-April 1919,
Rifleman 2425 Job Rees, KIA 16 May 1915, Le Touret Memorial (unknown).
Lieutenant William H Moore, KIA 8 August. 1916 Perrone Road Cemetery, Maricourt
1/10 Battalion The King’s Liverpool Regiment, ( Liverpool Scottish)
The 10 Bn King’s Liverpool Regiment (Liverpool Scottish), was a Territorial unit mobilised in August 1914 at their HQ in Fraser St, Liverpool. They went over to France on 2 November 1914 joining 9 Brigade, 3 Division and in January 1916 transferred to 166 Brigade, 55 (West Lancashire) Division. In 1915 they saw action at the Battles of Festubert and Loos; in1916 were on the Somme; in 1917 at Third Ypres; and in 1918 the Kaiser Offensive and 100 Days. The battalion was demobilised between January-April 1919,
Also in 1/10 Bn was Noel Chevasse, double VC and medical officer (CWGC) see also MotGNAME
Formerly in 1/10 Bn KLR – commissioned April 1917 – Second Lieutenant Ferdinand L Hughes, 25 Bn Machine Gun Corps. KIA 29 May 1918, Soissons Memorial (unknown)
18 Bn The King’s Liverpool Regiment. 2 Liverpool Pals – 21 Brigade, 30 Division.
Formed in August 1914, the 2nd of the 4 battalions, Liverpool Pals. Originally in 89 Brigade, transferred to 21 Brigade in December 1915. The battalion was reduced to cadre strength in may 1918 and then absorbed with 14 Bn East Lancashire Rgt. to become 8 Bn (Lancashire Hussars) The King’s Liverpool Regiment.
Private 22615 Charles Bethel West Felton War Memorial
19 Bn King’s Liverpool Regiment. 3 Liverpool Pals – 89 Brigade, 30 Division
20 Bn King’s Liverpool Regiment. 4 Liverpool Pals – 89 Brigade, 30 Division
The 19 Bn and 20 Bn King’s Liverpool Regiment were ‘Pals’ battalions raised in Liverpool in August 1914. They both served in 89 Brigade 20 Division and went over to France in November 1915. They were first in action on the Somme – on 1 July they were invovled in the capture of Montauban, one of the few successes of that day. They were also at Third Ypres. Both units were disbanded in France in 1918, 20 Bn in February and 19 Bn in May.
A church parade before going into the trenches. The King’s Regiment (Liverpool), the 1st Liverpool Pals, 17th Service Battalion, 89th Brigade. Carnoy Valley, 29 July 1916. (IWM Q 4069)
Shoulder insignia 2 Liverpool Pals. (IWM INS 7366)
2 Garrison Battalion King’s Liverpool Regiment
The 2 Garrison Battalion King’s Liverpool Regiment was formed at Pembroke Dock in November 1915. Garrison battalions were made up of men unfit for combat. they manned base depots typically on office or light manual labour. The battalion moved to Egypt in March 1916 and then on to Salonika where they remained until the end of the war.
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