The Following biography was written by Victoria Doran
WILLIAM HERBERT DAVIES
William Herbert Davies (1874-1916) was one of very few civilians from West Kirby to die during the First World War. Known to his friends as Will, he was the eldest son and second child of the five children of Robert Davies (1848-1898) and Jane Sharpe (1846-1919). He was born in Rock Ferry where his father was a master butcher. According to the London Gazette, his father went bankrupt in 1879, and by 14 May 1880 the family are at Village Road, West Kirby where his father is working as a journeyman butcher. He must have been able to pay his creditors as when he died in 1898 he left over £2,500. By 1901 Will is working as manager of the shop, which, it is believed was then owned by his mother.
James Rainford Norman was born on 7 September 1896 in West Kirby, the 2nd son and third child of George Norman (a bricklayer) and Mary Ann Rainford. In all they had 8 children, 2 of whom died in infancy. He was baptised into the Church of England at St Bridget, West Kirby on 19 Nov 1896. His father came from Neston, but his mother was West Kirby born and bred. His mother’s youngest sister Jane Rainford married Frank Lunt, brother of THOMAS LUNT.
James was not the only member of his family to serve in WW1, as this photograph which includes both his older brother Gordon and his ‘uncle’ Frank Lunt shows.
James Rainford Norman’s Brother Gordon Rainford Norman and Friends in the “West Kirby News”. Tom Rainford was his second cousin once removed.
The family moved around West Kirby quite frequently as in 1901 they were living in Acacia Grove, in 1911 at 10 Westbourne Road and on his enlistment in the Royal Marines on 30 November 1914 at 13 Brook Terrace.On his enlistment he lied about his age, claiming to have been born in 1895. In fact he was just 18 years old. At the time he was a builder’s labourer.
Royal Marines light Infantry Cap Badge
His record describes him as 5ft 6 in tall, with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. Throughout his service his conduct was ‘very good, whilst his ability improved from moderate to satisfactory.
Having joined the Royal Marines in Liverpool he was posted to the Plymouth Battalion of the Royal Marines Light Infantry. After training he left Gosport on 16 April 1915 for Gallipoli, where he was wounded 3 times, including a gun shot wound in his right arm, by 31 July 1915. On 1 Jan 1916 the Plymouth Battalion was merged with other units to form the 2nd ‘Hawke’ Battalion. On 27 January 1916 he had recovered from his wounds and rejoined his Battalion in France.
On 10 July 1916 he is recorded as having rheumatic fever, and on 31 August 1916 he was killed in action between Arras and Bethune.
“Birkenhead News” 16th September 1916
As well as his actual grave he is commemorated on his parent’s grave at St Bridget, West Kirby.
Notes Birth: 7 Sep 1895 at West Kirby Death: 31 Aug 1916 in Pas de Calais, France; killed in action Addresses: Acacia Grove, West Kirby (01); 10 Westbourne Road, West Kirby (11); 13 Brook Terrace, West Kirby (14) Occupation: builder’s labourer Unit: 2nd Battalion, Royal Marines Light Infantry Number and Rank: PLY/594/S; Private Medals: 1915 Star, Victory and British War Commemorated and Buried: WK, GH, St. Bridget’s, France : Tranchee de Mecknes Cemetery, Aix-Noulette Sources: BR, CWGC, SDGW, SR, Medal record, BN, Census: 01, 11, PR, BR
An Imperishable Record 