Tracing a WWI Ancestor in the King’s Liverpool Regiment: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Gather What You Know

Before diving into the archives, collect all known details about your ancestor:

• Full name and approximate birth year

• Place of residence around 1914

• Any known service number or medals

• Family stories or photos (especially with cap badges)

Even a small detail — like “he was wounded at Ypres” — can be the key to unlocking deeper records.

Step 2: Identify Service Number and Battalion

The King’s (Liverpool) Regiment had dozens of battalions during WWI, from the regular 1st and 2nd Battalions to Pals units like the Liverpool Scottish and Liverpool Irish.

Finding a service number helps you narrow down:

• Which battalion he served in

• When he enlisted (you can often date enlistment from number ranges)

• Whether he was part of Kitchener’s Army, the Territorial Force, or the Regulars

Sources to check include:

• Medal Index Cards

• Silver War Badge rolls

• Pension records

Step 3: Look for the Medal Rolls and WWI Service Records

Once you have the service number and regiment:

• Medal Rolls will show campaign medals like the British War Medal, Victory Medal, or 1914/15 Star

• WWI Service Records (if they survive) may include enlistment forms, postings, medical reports, and next of kin

• Check both WO 363 (Burnt Documents) and WO 364 (Pension Records) for service details

Only around 30–40% of WWI records survive, but there are other ways to trace service.

Step 4: Explore the King’s Liverpool Regiment War Diaries

Once you’ve identified the battalion, you can explore the war diaries kept at battalion level:

• These record daily movements, battles, and casualties

• Searchable at The National Archives (series WO 95)

• Even if your ancestor isn’t named, you’ll understand what they experienced on specific dates

Example:
If your ancestor was in the 13th (Pals) Battalion, the diary might detail their role at Guillemont during the Somme offensive in 1916.

Step 5: Check for Casualty, POW or Death Records

If your relative was wounded, killed, or taken prisoner, search:

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission for burial/memorial info

• Soldiers Died in the Great War (SDGW) database

• Red Cross POW records for those captured in France or Mesopotamia

• Local newspapers and memorials in Liverpool or your family’s hometown

Step 6: Use Regimental Histories and Roll of Honour Lists

The King’s (Liverpool) Regiment has well-documented battalion histories and several printed Rolls of Honour:

• Liverpool libraries and archives hold many of these

• The Liverpool Scottish Museum and Regimental Museums can offer further insights

• Look for printed lists of officers, casualty reports, and citations for gallantry

Why the King’s Liverpool Regiment Matters

From the Ypres Salient to the Hindenburg Line, the men of the King’s Liverpool Regiment stood at the heart of the British war effort. Whether your ancestor was a dock worker turned rifleman or a Pals battalion volunteer, his story is one of duty, sacrifice, and resilience.

Need help tracing your King’s Liverpool Regiment ancestor?
At History Recon, we specialise in researching WWI British Army soldiers, including detailed battalion histories, war diary extracts, and medal record analysis. We’ll help you uncover the personal story behind the uniform — and bring your family’s history back to life.