Soldier Record

My Grandmother always had a photo of 'Uncle Will' who was her youngest brother, it was the only picture she retrieved from her mothers house on her mothers death. Unfortunately this picture has been lost. Sadly nan died before we could find Wills grave. In 1996 I was able to find through the War Graves Commission where his grave is. Will must have gone straight from the farm to war, he died under what is thought of as friednly fire. He now rests in a small cemetry in Preiz northern France with 6 of his comrades. Will died in the battle of the Marne on the 11th September 1914, aged just 19 years. After visiting the grave we drove up the hill and could imagine what must have happened, the enemy were coming down the hill and The Royal Sussex boys were going up, they must have been recalled, to go back to the village just as more friendly troups were told to fire. Will was shot on the 10th of September and died on the 11th. He left brothers and sisters and his mother, we have found the village of Graffham where she lived and the house.

Today 11th We visited Graffham Parish church of St. Giles where there is a memorial plaque and a roll of honour, we left a poppy for Will to let him know he will not be forgotten. Who am I? I am Wills great neice, born during the 2nd World War.