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William Harvey
Second Lieutenant, 1st The King’s (Liverpool Regiment)
Killed in action, 25 September 1915, aged 23
Buried at Cambrin Military Cemetery, France
CWGC registered (Son of Mr JE and Mrs MC Harvey, of “Elmsdale”, Sefton Park, Liverpool)
William Harvey is not mentioned on the Llandudno memorials. However, he is remembered with two brothers, one of whom died in infancy (John) and another who also died in the Great War (James – qv) on three crosses in St. Tudno’s Churchyard. There is no indication that William Harvey ever lived in Llandudno and this page has been included for interest only.
The boys were the sons of James Eugene Harvey and his wife Mary Cooper (née Henderson). James Eugene Harvey was a timber merchant and JP in Liverpool. The Harveys clearly enjoyed a close connection with Llandudno for in 1897, James Eugene’s sisters, described as frequent visitors to the town, presented a lychgate to St. Tudno’s Church in memory of their father (another James).
William and was born in Liverpool in 1892. His baptismal record (20 November 1892) records the family living at 97 Ullet Road. The 1901 Census records the family and four servants living at the same address; James was aged 12 and William was aged 8. William attended Rugby School and Cambridge University where he was a member of the Officer Training Corps.
On the outbreak of war, William enlisted into the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment. Because of his previous membership of the OTC, on 17 November 1914 he received a commission as a second lieutenant (on probation) in the 3rd Battalion. The 3rd Battalion was a regular reserve battalion, training soldiers and subalterns for the frontline regular battalions. William’s commission was confirmed on 17 July 1915. Meanwhile, on 13 August 1914, the 1st Battalion had landed at Le Havre and William was posted to it in a draft of reinforcements after his commission had been confirmed.
William Harvey was killed in action aged 23 on 25 September 1915, the first day of the Battle of Loos. He was buried at Cambrin Military Cemetery alongside 56 other officers and men of the 1st KLR who were killed on the same day.
Known memorials:
- Family plot, St. Tudno’s Churchyard, Great Orme
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