Willam Lockart's Story.
Birkenhead News 15 July 1916
Killed While on Sentry Duty.
Another “Pal” Gives up His Life.
The numerous friends of Mr. and Mrs. Pinkerton and family, of 35, Park Road East, are extremely sorry to hear of the death in action on 3rd July of Private William Pinkerton, of the Liverpool “Pals”. He was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Pinkerton, and was very popular among a wide circle of friends. The young man was killed only three days after his 20th birthday. It appears that his battalion had stormed a certain position, and after “real hard” fighting had succeeded in capturing and holding it. Pte. Pinkerton was on duty with two of his intimate friends when a high explosive shell burst near them, killing the three young men almost instantaneously and wounding several others who were near the place at the time the accident occurred. In a letter from one of the officers of the regiment to which Private Pinkerton was attached the young man is spoken of in the highest terms :-
“It may please you to know that your son was, in my opinion, a really splendid fellow. He suffered all the hardships of the winter without a murmur. He was always cheerful, when “grousing”, could not have been blamed. When I took over No. 3 Platoon some months ago from our company commander, he pointed out your son as one of the good men who could be depended on. It may comfort you to know your son was killed instantly – he had not a moment’s suffering. There were two of his intimate friends who were killed by the same shell, and they were all buried side by side.”
Private Pinkerton was an ardent devotee of outdoor sport, especially football. He was educated at Tranmere Higher Grade School, and joined the “Pals” when they were formed. He had been at the front for eight months, and had several narrow escapes. Private Pinkerton will be sadly missed by his many friends.