242097 Pte. Richard Cartwright British Army 9th (Service) Battalion Welsh Regiment from:Wallasey, Cheshire (d.20th September 1917) Richard Cartwright was the youngest son of John Cartwright, journeyman cordwainer (fine shoemaker), and his wife Sarah, who lived in Wallasey Village, Cheshire. John had died shortly after Richard's birth in 1896, leaving the family then at home (Sarah, daughter Beatrice, son Robert and youngest son Richard) in reduced circumstances. Sarah managed as a washerwoman but died in 1907.
Robert (my grandfather) joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a regular, in 1911. Young Richard ran away to London and is recorded as living in a home for destitute boys, learning a trade as a carpenter. He volunteered to join the Welsh Regiment and survived the Somme. Along with many comrades in his Section, he was killed by hidden German machine gunners on the first day of the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge (part of the battle for Passchendaele), 20th September 1917, aged 21. His body was not found but his name lives on, at Tyne Cott Cemetery, at St. Hilary's Church War Memorial, Wallasey, and - in memory - in the first name of his great nephew.
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