The 8th ( Irish ) Battalion
King's Liverpool Regiment
Haldane's reforms established the Territorial Force in 1908 and organised it into brigades and divisions defined by region. The Battalion renumbered the 8th, became subordinated to the Liverpool Brigade, West Lancashire Division. Territorial infantry battalions inherited the composition of their volunteer predecessors; eight companies, each commanded by a Captain or Major. This structure was superseded by a four-company system adopted by the Regular Army in 1913 and extended to the Territorial Force during the First World War. Before its restructuring, the 8th ( Irish ) maintained a company of bicycle infantry-essentially a variant of mounted infantry that had acquired popularity among contemporary armies. All eight companies concentrated at Shaw Street, where the battalion maintained its headquarters. A personal strength of 942 was recorded in 1910, at which time the battalion's commanding officer was Colonel J.A Cooney.
world war 1
1914-1916: At the onset of war, in August 1914, the Liverpool Irish mobilised and moved to Canterbury. Two duplicate battalions were raised in October 1914 and May 1915, designated as the 2/8th and 3/8th respectively. Soldiers unable to volunteer for overseas service formed the nucleus of 2/8th, which trained recruits and supplied deployed units with drafts. The 2/8th was itself dispatched to the Western Front in February 1917, with the 57th Division's 171st ( 2nd Liverpool ) Brigade. The third-line remained responsible for training recruits and was ultimately absorbed by the 7th ( Reserve ) Battalion, West Lancashire Reserve Brigade.
The 1/8th transferred to the North Lancashire Brigade in February 1915 and Landed at Boulogne in May, one month after the Brigade was assigned to the 51st ( Highland ) Division. Heavy casualties were sustained in the battalion's first engagement of the war, in the Second Action of Givenchy ( 15th-16th June ). The attack by IV Corps was designed to support a renewed French offensive in Artois and secure the elevated ground near Violaines. Initially in reserve at Le Touret, the Liverpool Irish was committed after it received orders to deploy to the fire trenches in support of the battle. As the only battalion remaining in the Brigade able to undertake offensive action, the other three having incurred heavy losses on the first day, the 1/8th was ordered to renew the attack in the afternoon of the 16th. Companies were to advance sequentially beginning with 'C', then A, B and D.
After a preliminary bombardment of 45-minutes, the Liverpool Irish, commanded by Major J.A.C Johnson, left its trenches at 4.45pm. A maelstorm of fire confronted the men of 'C' Company; nearly all fell in No-Mans-Land without reaching the German front line. The three Companies that followed encountered similarly intense opposition. Some did penetrate the German first-line but were numerically insufficient to retain possession of the ground captured. Retirement to the British lines was completed by midnight and the battalion subsequently returned to Le Touret. In the three days in which they were engaged in the Givenchy sector, the 1/8th had suffered 232 casualties.
The 1/8th transferred to the North Lancashire Brigade in February 1915 and Landed at Boulogne in May, one month after the Brigade was assigned to the 51st ( Highland ) Division. Heavy casualties were sustained in the battalion's first engagement of the war, in the Second Action of Givenchy ( 15th-16th June ). The attack by IV Corps was designed to support a renewed French offensive in Artois and secure the elevated ground near Violaines. Initially in reserve at Le Touret, the Liverpool Irish was committed after it received orders to deploy to the fire trenches in support of the battle. As the only battalion remaining in the Brigade able to undertake offensive action, the other three having incurred heavy losses on the first day, the 1/8th was ordered to renew the attack in the afternoon of the 16th. Companies were to advance sequentially beginning with 'C', then A, B and D.
After a preliminary bombardment of 45-minutes, the Liverpool Irish, commanded by Major J.A.C Johnson, left its trenches at 4.45pm. A maelstorm of fire confronted the men of 'C' Company; nearly all fell in No-Mans-Land without reaching the German front line. The three Companies that followed encountered similarly intense opposition. Some did penetrate the German first-line but were numerically insufficient to retain possession of the ground captured. Retirement to the British lines was completed by midnight and the battalion subsequently returned to Le Touret. In the three days in which they were engaged in the Givenchy sector, the 1/8th had suffered 232 casualties.
Below, trench map of the Givenchy sector showing British trenches left and German line right.
Orders were received in early June that the Liverpool Irish Brigade were to transfer to the 55th West Lancashire Division. Dismantled in the early stages of the war when its constituent battalions were deployed to overseas theatres, the 55th reformed at Hallencourt under command of Major-General Hugh Jeudwine. Specialy trained volunteers from the Liverpool Irish were selected to conduct the division's first major raid on the German trenches at Ransart on the night of the 17th April. Split into two parties of wire-cutters and raiders, the Liverpool Irish entered the trench system and proceeded to grenade three dug-outs and destroy a munitions store. the raider's sole fatality, Second Lieutenant Edward felix Baxter, was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.
Below, the actual raiding-party photographed on the 18th April 1916, the morning after the raid .
Second-Lieutenant E.F Baxter VC
London Gazette 26th December 1916
His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to award the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and men:-
2nd Lt. Edward Felix Baxter, late Liverpool Regiment.
For most conspicious bravery, Prior to a raid on the hostile line he was engaged during two nights in cutting
wire close to the enemy's trenches. The enemy could be heard on the other side of the parapet.
Second Lieutenant Baxter, while assisting in the wire cutting, held a bomb in his hand with the pin withdrawn ready to throw. On one occasion the bomb slipped and fell to the ground, but he instantly picked it up, unscrewed the base plug, and took out the detonator, which he smothered in the ground, thereby preventing the alarm being given, and undoubtedly saving many casualties.
later, he led the storming party with greatest gallantry, and was the first man into the trench, shooting the sentry with his revolver. He then assisted to bomb the dugouts and finally climed out of the trench and assisted the last man over the parapet. After this he was not seen again, though search parties went out at oncelooking for him. There seems no doubt that he lost his life in his great devotion to duty.
* 2nd Lieutenat Felix Baxters grave is at Fillievres British Cemetary, France, 8 miles S.W of Hesdin.
He lies in row A, Grave 10. His Victoria cross is displayed at the Imperial War Museum, London.
For most conspicious bravery, Prior to a raid on the hostile line he was engaged during two nights in cutting
wire close to the enemy's trenches. The enemy could be heard on the other side of the parapet.
Second Lieutenant Baxter, while assisting in the wire cutting, held a bomb in his hand with the pin withdrawn ready to throw. On one occasion the bomb slipped and fell to the ground, but he instantly picked it up, unscrewed the base plug, and took out the detonator, which he smothered in the ground, thereby preventing the alarm being given, and undoubtedly saving many casualties.
later, he led the storming party with greatest gallantry, and was the first man into the trench, shooting the sentry with his revolver. He then assisted to bomb the dugouts and finally climed out of the trench and assisted the last man over the parapet. After this he was not seen again, though search parties went out at oncelooking for him. There seems no doubt that he lost his life in his great devotion to duty.
* 2nd Lieutenat Felix Baxters grave is at Fillievres British Cemetary, France, 8 miles S.W of Hesdin.
He lies in row A, Grave 10. His Victoria cross is displayed at the Imperial War Museum, London.
The Division was later committed to the Allied offensive in the Somme area in July. Positions adjacent to the village of Guillemont were occupied on the 30th.; in the process of relieving a battalion east of Trones Wood, the 1/8th sustained 18 casualties. Guillemont where other battalions of the King's Regiment had fought with resultingly high casualties, was the 1/8th's second major battle on the 8th August. The five-day tour that preceeded it was expensive, with about 50 casualties being incurred and an intense skirmish occuring on the 2nd
In the subsequent battle the battalion was directed to attack on the right of the 1/4th Royal Lancasters and establish itself on the northern boundary of Guillemont, extending as far as the village's railway station.
In the subsequent battle the battalion was directed to attack on the right of the 1/4th Royal Lancasters and establish itself on the northern boundary of Guillemont, extending as far as the village's railway station.
