Soldier Record

William Emanuel was the much loved son of Robert and Mary Emanuel and was the 3rd child of 6 children. We are decendents of his older brother Robert who joined up on 15th January 1915 and served in France.

Private 16723 killed on 4th October 1917 near Ypres no known resting place.

William joined the 4th Devonshire Regiment at the age of 19 and was killed at the young age of 21. There was never a grave but his name is on the plague at Tyne Cott cemetry. I took my family to Tyne Cott a couple of years ago and we were the first family members to visit. I took my parents there two years ago and it was a very moving experience.

We have been researching our family tree and we have an old family bible that was given to William's parents on their wedding day. We have found a lot of information in the bible but the most memorable find was the locks of hair from the children within the pages.

Ninety years have passed but William has never been forgotten and the new generation of children are learning about him and the way he gave his life for King and country.