Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

Another Headstone I came across
WELSBY, JAMES
Rank: Private
Service No: 266333
Date of Death: 30/01/1919
Age: 24
Regiment/Service: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 7th Bn.
Grave Reference B. 11.
Cemetery LIVERPOOL (WALTON PARK) CEMETERY
Additional Information: Son of Mrs. Mary Welsby, of 21, Salisbury Rd., Rice Lane, Walton, Liverpool.

Thank you for posting this, particularly the photograph. I have been searching for information about my grandfather, and also about his brother James. This is his brother's tombstone. They are both named on a memorial in Northcote School, Walton.

It would be nice to get local school children to clean the Graves.

Hi and welcome to the forum.

If we can manage it we hope to make a small display about the WWI War Graves in this cemetery, at our Conference in October. If you have any more biographical information about Private James Welsby I would very much appreciate you sharing.

Hello, I found out about my great uncle whilst searching for information about my grandfather. My grandfather's name (John James WELSBY) is on the Tyne Cot memorial. Whilst searching I learned that Northcote School has a War Memorial plaque and both names are recorded. I was unaware of my great uncle. When I began searching I found that he died shortly after the end of the war whilst a patient in Bury Military Hospital. He death certificate records influenza and pneumonia as the cause of death. I believe this was very common after WW1.

Thank you for the extra information.

Hi, Please can you confirm that this is the cemetery opposite the prison, where the farm is now located. Thanks.
I want to visit the cemetery and take a current photo of the headstone to send to War Graves Commission. I understand, although i may be wrong, that they will clean up headstones of people lost in, or because of, military conflict.

I can confirm that this is the cemetery you mention although the entrance is along Rawcliffe Road, don't go to the gate opposite the jail as this is locked.

You may use the photograph I have posted if you wish, it is only a matter of weeks ago that it was taken, so quite current.

I would be interested to hear what the CWGC have to say as I don't believe they have taken any interest in this graveyard, any tidying up that is done is by a volunteer.

It's definitely worth getting in touch with them, the CWGC don't have enough people to inspect all the graves so they do rely on people reporting problems but whenever I have reported fallen or dirty CWGC headstones they have always fixed them up within a few days. If other CWGC markers in the graveyard look like this they might want to clean them all up for the centenary.

Amanda

Following the last post, I have been told that it would appear that an attempt at cleaning them has been made and they are not as bad as they used to be. The volunteer on site continues to tidy up and indeed has begun planting the poppy seeds that he wants to be in flower for a service later in the year.

Thank you for all the information and the offer to use your photograph. I am hoping to get across within the next 2 weeks and will make contact with CWGC to see if they can help.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I have been told that the War Graves have been cleaned up a bit since that was taken, something I didn't know when I made the offer. So it may not be a good representation to put to them.

We're planning to go across today and will take another photo if I get the chance. When and where are you having the conference? I would be happy to send copies of anything that I have about my great uncle James for use in a display.

Hi
Have been across to the cemetery and found my great uncle's name without any problem. 'Twas almost as if I had been guided to it. It looks as though it has been cleaned. What did surprise me that someone has visited the grave and left an artificial arrangement of flowers in the shape of a heart. Would be great if I could find out who left them, it could be that i have another relative that I was unaware of.
Please can you advise how I can insert a photo. Thanks.

Hi the Conference will be held in October, full details are yet to be finalised, but I can bring you up to date later if you wish.

Instructions to post a photograph are here http://forum.liverpool-genealogy.org.uk ... =16&t=9817

Thanks for the information. Here is the photograph of the gravestone as of today 30th May 2014.

The flowers look quite clean too, not been weathered, so I suspect they were left recently.

Apparently the flowers turned up approximately a month ago.

Thank you once again for the information. May I ask how you found out?

Just word from somebody who regularly visits the cemetery and attempts to keep it tidy and the CWGV gravestones clean.