Pte William Tinsley (Lyldesley/Tildsley) - 26th Aug 2012 8:51am
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.
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.