Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral History Pte William Tinsley (Lyldesley/Tildsley)

A photograph put up recently (below) by Johnson with the description,Livingstone St, Birkenhead, 1st Jan 1916, Funeral of Pve Tildsley, who died in a showground disaster.
Its not exactly correct and I apportion no blame to Johnson but I thought it was worth looking in to. Any input would be appreciated.
At the time I can understand any confusion surrounding the name of the Pte who was killed, even the army didn't appear to know, as you will see from his Attestation papers (below).
Pte William Tinsley (correct name) was killed on the 1st January 1916 whilst billeted at a showground in Bebington (uncertain where the showground was located)
On the 1st of January it was reported, a great gale arose and the hut which billeted Pte Tinsley and others collapsed causing the walls and roof to fall in, Pte Tinsley was killed instantly and 14 others were injured. Pte Tinsley was lying on his bed and a heavy object, probably a roof beam, caused the fatal blow to the head.

The funeral took place on the 5th of January 1916, the funeral cortege left Birkenhead Borough Hospital mortuary and proceeded to Flaybrick cemetery, crowds lined the streets and his internment in the catholic sector was accompanied by a gun salute and last post.

Pte William Tinsley was married with 3 children, its unlikely his wife and family attended the funeral. During the Coroners hearing it was left to a mate and fellow soldier to tell the court he thought Pte Tinsley was married with 3 children.

You will see from his Attestation papers, he joined the South Lancashire Regiment, the date was April 1915 as William Lyldesley 10829 and later at the time of his death, Jan 1916, he was with the 2nd garrison battalion, Cheshire Regiment as William Tinsley, 31530.
The papers have clearly been changed, perhaps he enrolled under a false name or an Army error? Don't suppose we'll ever know.

Evidence below.

He was 52 years old. No wonder he was garrison duties. Not the oldest I have found. There is one in West Kirby that was in his mid sixties. Very unlucky to happen like that. I wonder if it was the Oval?

I looked through my photo's but can't find a war grave for William Tinsley although you have him on the tablet. He was entitled to one but perhaps the family didn't know?

Helles,

There was some confusion for his age, on the tablet which is a bad image, he's recorded as 32, he shares that grave with 5 others,
His enlistment papers shows 29 years of age.

I just took it from the commonwealth war graves site Bert. I have blown up my photo of the tablet Bert and it does say 52 not 32.

Thanks Helles,

Makes matters worse, 22 years older than when he joined up

As Helles correctly deduces, the accident took place at the Agricultural Showground in Bebington, which is now the Oval.

Thanks Marty,
that answers another query I had about the showgrounds, the 15th (Transport Workers) Battalion, South Lancs Regiment who worked on Birkenhead Docks was stationed there between Feb 1917 and Sept 1918, a bit after Pte Tinsley's time though.

Still puzzled over his age Helles.

Bert. The agricultural showground was first used as an army depot and billets by the Birkenhead Bantams (15th Cheshires)from November 1914.

Thanks NW,

Must have had a lot of comings and goings between 14-18,

What kind of area did it cover?, maps anyone.

Haven't got a map Bert, but this is a pic taken there of the first intake of the Bantams - early 1915. The showground was requisitioned because it immediately had a big training ground which could accommodate 1,000 men, had provision for dining rooms and stables for for officers' horses. Work was carried out in early 1915 to convert existing buildings and build new ones. It's probable that other work was undertaken in subsequent years.

Thanks NW, excellent,

No mistaking that's the Bantams, looking at the size of the officers.

I found a map, unfortunately 1913 before any further development for the troops, here's hoping there might be one available for 1918.

More meat on the bone,

It appears William Tinsley was Attested to the Kings Own Reg on the 3rd September 1914 and discharged on the 3rd October 1914, reason, Unlikely to become an efficient soldier. He was Attested to the Lancashire Fusiliers on the 5th January 1915 and discharged on the 14th March 1915, reason, unlikely to become an efficient soldier, finally the Cheshire Reg, 10th April, 1915 as William Lyldesley until his death, 1st January 1916. He was married with 3 children, the reason his wife Ellen didn't attend the funeral she had moved address and the Army only found her after.
On one of his Attestation forms the 3 children are named and one marked as illegitimate. Ellen received a pension of 21 shillings per week.
At the inquest it was reported the building they were billeted in was built in 1902 and in good order but the storm was so severer it lifted the roof and weakened the structure causing its collapse. 2 were killed and 13 injured.