WILLIAM BLACK 

William Black was born in Birkenhead, in 1895, the son of John Charles Black. His father was born in Birkenhead, in1864, and later married. He had 2 sons: John James Black (born in 1893), and William Black. Between 1895 – 1905, John Charles Black’s wife died, and in 1905, he re-married to Emily Ann Smith, who had 6 children of her own: Alfred Smith (born in 1891); Annie Smith (born in 1889); Ernest Smith (born in 1892); Samuel Smith (born in 1894); Sydney Smith (born in 1899); and Emily Smith (born in 1902); and the couple had 2 daughters together: Edith Black (born in 1906), and Florence Black (born in 1908). In 1911, they were living at 42, Neptune Street, Birkenhead, and John Charles Black was employed as an Engineer Fitter. John James Black was a General Labourer; William was a Railway Goods Checker with the London & Norh Western Railway Company; Edith was still at school; Alfred Smith was a Carter; Annie was a Soap Packer at Messrs. Lever Brothers, Port Sunlight; Ernest Smith was a Railway Porter; and Sydney and Emily Smith were still at school. William Black later became a Junior Goods Porter. In his spare time, he was a member of the St. Nathanael’s Boy’s Club, and the church football club.

On 19th January 1915, William Black enlisted into the 2nd/10th Bn King’s (Liverpool) Regiment, and subsequently posted to “B” Company, which was then training at Blackpool. Private Black later trained at Tunbridge Wells, and was sent overseas with the 4th draft on 27th March 1915. He was killed in action at Hooge, Belgium, on 16th June 1915.



His body was never recovered and identified from the battlefield and is therefore commemorated by name only on Panel’s 4 & 6, The Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.

Private Black’s medal entitlement consisted of Memorial Plaque, 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal.

He is also commemorated in The London & North Western Railway Company Roll of Honour Book.

Family application form requesting William to be added to the Birkenhead War Memorial.

 

One of his brothers served with the Australian Imperial Forces and was wounded landing at the Dardanelles.




Researched and compiled by Peter Threlfall.