Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

When a ‘Liverpool Jock’ signed the visitors’ book at Peterborough East Station on 13 July 1916 he wrote “But two short hours have I spent in this Room, Still, same has dispersed all wearyness and gloom, Fine rest and refreshment have I obtained, And strength to pursue my journey have gained.”

This soldier didn’t give his name, but he did leave us one clue – his service number, 5395.  Using this number, we have identified two soldiers serving with the Liverpool Regiment – Malcolm Sommerville and Thomas Galvin.  Neither of their service records have survived, but their medal records have. Taking all the information found including census returns, the ‘Liverpool Jock’ it is most likely to be Malcolm Sommerville.  He described himself as a ‘Liverpool Jock’, pointing to a connection to Scotland and although Malcolm was born in Liverpool, his father was born in Scotland.

Malcolm McMillan Thomson Sommerville was born in West Derby, Liverpool on 17 November 1894 to parents Andrew, a shoeing smith, and Sarah Emma (nee Hubbard).  He was one of thirteen children and in 1911, Malcolm (16) an office boy with a wholesale drapers was living at 1a Lilley Road, Liverpool with his parents and ten siblings.

Nothing is known of Private Sommerville’s war service except that he served with the ‘Kings’ Liverpool Regiment and the Labour Corps, and was awarded the British War and Allied Victory Medals.

On 17 June 1920, he married Helen Margaret Scruton at the Parish Church, St Cyprian, Edge Hill, Liverpool.  Both were living at 59 Botanic Road and Malcolm was a general clerk.   They went on to have three children, Audrey (1921), Keith (1923) and Geraldine (1926).  In 1939, Malcolm and Helen were living at 14 Rowland Avenue, Harrow with their children.  Malcolm worked as a chief clerk for an African merchant company.  Malcolm died at Hendon in September 1969, aged 74.

Malcolm’s younger brother, Andrew Carnegie Sommerville died in Malaya on 14 April 1945,  and is buried at Labuan War Cemetery, Malaysia.  He was serving with the Pioneer Battalion of the Australian Infantry and lived in Boronia, Victoria, Australia.

Can you confirm that Malcolm is our “Liverpool Jock”? Please get in touch if you can tell us more.