FINIGAN Wilfred James 2/Lt

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Surname: FINIGAN;

Forename(s): Wilfred James;

Initials: WJ;

Rank: 2/Lt;

Born in: New Brighton;

Enlistment Date: 04-Sep-1914;

Resided in: Wallasey;

Previous Number: 16043;

Previous Battalion: 17 of;

Previous Regiment: Liverpool Regt;

Date of transfer to MGC: 26-Jan-1917;

MGC Branch: Infantry;

MGC Unit: 225 Coy;

Other MGC Unit Served (1): 225 Coy;

Other MGC Unit Served (2): 15 Bn;

Date abroad: 07-Nov-1915;

Theatre of War: 1;

How killed: KIA;

Where: France;

When killed: 28-Mar-1918;

Other Data: w. 12/7/1916 - gsw left arm - to UK
to MGC OC Bn 3/11/1916
Liverpool Scroll of Fame p83
death noted in narrative of operation of 15 Bn 21-28/3/1918
Estate 515/16/6d

Save the guns! Second-Lieutenant Wilfred James Finigan and his detachment determined, at all costs, to prevent their weapons falling into the enemy's hand, made a bold and heroic attempt to do so, but most of them perished in the attempt. This gallant incident occurred near Arras on March 28th, 1918. The Germans had opened their mighty offensive, and for a week the battle had been raging bitterly, our troops retreating only with the most obstinate fighting. Second-Lieutenant Finigan set his men a noble example by his own steadfast bearing with words of encouragement. "They fought till all their guns were knocked out, and after that those I could collect went up with me and held a gap in the front line, acting as infantry men." So wrote his Captain, one of the two officers who survived the fight, and he tells how the young lieutenant had stuck to his post until shot through the heart by a sniper. From the Colonel there was an equally cordial tribute to his utter devotion to duty. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Finigan, of Danehurst Road, Wallasey. Educated at St. Francis Xavier's College, where he won his Senior Oxford and Matriculation Examinations and other distinctions, he passed into the Liverpool Office of the Royal Insurance Company. Scarcely had his business career commenced when he heard the call to arms, and, like the keen young patriot he was, he was one of the, earliest volunteers to enrol with the Liverpool "Pals." Going abroad with them, he was wounded in the brigade's succession of victorious assaults on the Somme in July, 1916. Upon his recovery he was selected for a commission, and this he obtained with the 15th Machine Gun Corps, with whom he saw his further service in France. Nobody could know Finigan long without being attracted by his warm-hearted and pleasant disposition. Ha had a gift of friendship, and to his military acquaintances, of whom he had many, the news of his death came as a tragedy. He took a delight in open-air sports, boating being one of his favourite pursuits, and he was also a chess player of no little ability. Photo (Liverpool Scroll of Fame)
Younger son of Mr. JA Finigan of 16 School Lane, Lane. Enlisted in 17 KLR in August 1914 and was wounded in France in July 1916. On his recovery he was commissioned in the MGC and returned to Framce in August 1917. Educated at St Francis Xavier College and prior to the war was on the staff of the Royal Insurance Company. (Post and Mercury 6/4/18)

Address at embarkation for France that of his next of kin, his father JA Finigan

Enlisted as No 16043 ‘D’ Coy 17 KLR. Commissioned 25/1/17 MGC;

Other Notes: FINIGAN, Second Lieutenant, WILFRID JAMES, 15th Bn. Machine Gun Corps (Inf). 28th March 1918. Age 29. Son of Joseph A. and Mary Finigan, of 4, Danehurst Rd., Wallasey, Cheshire. Bay 10. Arras Memorial - Pas De Calais, France.;

Related National Archives files: WO339/80480;

END OF RECORD.

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