William's Story.
Birkenhead News 22 November 1916Champion Swimmer Falls
Private W. Slater Killed in Action.
We regret to announce that Private William Slater, of the King’s (Liverpool Regiment), who was prior to the war a well-known championship swimmer, has been killed in action. He was the victim of a German shell 50 yards away from where one of the brothers was at the moment.
Private Slater was the youngest son of Mr. Thos. Slater, of 103, Oxton Road, Birkenhead, and had only just attained his 21st birthday. He was educated at Claughton Higher Grade School. Before the war he was apprenticed as a cotton salesman with the firm of Messrs J. R. Atkinson and Co. He joined the Pals when the first call was made, and saw 12 months’ service at the front. As an accomplished devotee of the natatorial art, Slater had in pre-war days taken part in much championship swimming. He was captain of the Birkenhead squadron team which won the championship in 1911, and in polo contests had often represented Port Sunlight in their matches.
Two brothers of Private Slater are still at the front, and two others are with the colours in England.