Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | Cornamagh Cemetery | K. 70. | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.128 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 16D GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | |||
Early Life :
He married by the Reverend Coooke to Florence Maud Sanderson on the 1st September, 1913, at St. Clement's Parish Church, Urmston when he is recorded as an Insurance Agent resident at Blines Road, Urmston. She was 4 years his senior and from Flixton.Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 5th Res. Brigade RFA |
| Action : Accident |
Accidents were a minor factor in the casualty list. Our definition is deaths resulting from activities that were not directly associated with 'active service'. We have excluded Naval Accidents which are seperately identified because of their numbers and impact. Many accidents involved the aviators, operating at the the limits of technology.
Detail :
The case of 2/Lieutenant William LIVSEY provoked questions in Parliament. William LIVSEY and a brother officer Austin SIMMONDS were drowned whilst boating on Lough Ree in Co Athlone Ireland. They were stationed in the area and both were serving with the Royal Artillery. Their bodies were not recovered for 15 days. The incident was raised in Parliament on the 15th April 1918 when in oral questions to the Pensions Minister was asked if he was aware that the widow and children of 2/Lieutenant LIVSEY had been refused a war pension by the Pensions Department. Its reply stated that a pension was not allowed as the officer had drowned whilst engaged in 'recreation'. The Parliamentary questions continued about the fairness of that policy given that serving soldiers who had died whilst enjoying 'recreational' bathing were considered eligible. Hansard offers us the following exchange that would not be out of place in 'Yes Minister': ? Mr. HOGGE: Why do the Ministry of Pensions consider that a man drowned while bathing is on military duty and that a man drowned while boating is not? ? Brigadier-General McCALMONT: Is it not the case that one is learning to swim and that the other is boating for pleasure? ? Colonel GIBBS: That is so. ? Mr. HOGGE: Not necessarily; he may be washing himself. Worthy of 'Yes Minister'? After a further exchange which exposed the unfairness of the Government stance Col Gibbs agreed to inform the Minister. One hopes that the outcome was satisfactory for Mrs Livsey and her family. Sources; HANSARD 1803?2005 ? 1910s ? 1918 ? April 1918 ? 15 April 1918 ? Commons Sitting ? ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. NAVAL MILITARY PENSIONS AND GRANTS.HC Deb 15 April 1918 vol 105 cc39-40 39
Probate LIVSEY William Mylrea of Birnam Longfield-road Urmston near Manchester second-lieutenant Royal Field Artillery Special Reserve died 2 June 1917 at Lough Rea Athlone Ireland whilst in actual military service Probate Manchester 29 August to William Robert Livsey commercial clerk and Cyril Sanderson shipping clerk. Effects £381 18s.
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Shakespeare No. 1009 E.C. | East Lancashire |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
7th April 1916 | 3rd November 1916 | 1st December 1916 |
William is listed as a 25 year old Engineer from Urmston at the time of his initiation in 1916. He was a freemason for less than a year, the register showing he "Died 3rd June/17." War service is recorded in the contribution record.
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley