Soldier Record

William was born in 1873 in Plaistow.Moved to Tunbridge Wells with family at age of five. Became a house painter on leaving school and married in 1892 to Mathilda Price when he was 19. On the marriage certificate he made his age 21 as he did not have his parents consent. He joined the 3rd battalion Royal West Kents in 1892 (number 3272). A son William Thomas was born in 1893. Willian Snr. was posted to India in 1894 then on to Aden and returned to England in 1902.

On his return Mathida had left leaving the child with her brother.

It appears that he met a Annie Fancett also from Tunbridge Wells and had five children.

This Liason was unknown by his first family until I went get a picture toTunbridge Wells Library to find a newpaper Photograph of him which stated he left a widow and five children. After his career as a regular soldier finished in 1904 he returned to civillian life as a postman. At the outbreak of war he volunteered and was made a Sargeant in the 8th Batallion, 72 brigade, 24th division Royal West Kents. During the Battle of Loos in France he found himself surrounded by barbed wire whilst a gas attack was under way. 250 men managed to get back to the trenches but as he was wounded in the battle he was amongst those that were taken prisoner.The prisoners were then forced to march to Germany. He died of his wounds in Merisee Hospital ,Gaschen and was buried in Cologne Southern cemetery, (plot 13 ,row 8 grave1). William is commemerated on the roll of honour All Saints church Maidstone , also at Tunbrige Wells and Post Office sorting office in Lansdowne Road , Charlton.

A memorial service was held in St Georges ,Hanover Square on the 8th October 1915 for the officers and men who fell during this action.