| Date of birth: | 1898 |
| Place of birth: | Southampton |
| Service No.: | 29624 |
| Rank: | Private |
| Regiment: | Hampshire |
| Battalion: | 2nd |
| Died: | 1917 aged 18 or 19 years |
| Death location: | Southampton |
Life before the War
Willie was born in Shirley, Southampton to parents William and Florence. William was born in 1872 in Southampton and died in 1932; Florence, nee Holmes, was born in 1872 in Southampton and died in the city in 1913. They were married in 1892.
Willie had 3 brothers and 2 sisters:
Florence E born 1893
Ellen S born in 1896 and died in 1971. Married John Poynter.
John born 1900
Alfred born 1904 and died 1937
Harold B born 1910 and died 1996
In 1901 the census shows Willie living with his parents and siblings at 129 Pound Street, Southampton.
In the census of 1911 he was living with his parents and siblings still at 129 Pound Street. His father was employed as a Corn Porter.
War Service
In 1915 Willie landed in Gallipoli and engaged in various actions including the Battle of Krithia and the Achi Baba Heights.
Early in 1916 he was evacuated to Alexandria due to heavy casualties from combat, disease and severe weather conditions. In March 1916 he moved to France, landing at Marseilles, where the division engaged in various actions on the Western Front including The battle of Albert, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges, and in 1917 the First, Second and Third Battles of the Scarpe.
Willie died on 17th may 1917 at home in Shirley of wounds sustained in action in France. He was awarded the Victory Medal and The British Medal. He is buried at Southampton Old Cemetery, plot 147.N.64.
| Researcher: | Shaun Connolly |
| Published: | 19th May 2015 |
| Updated: | Insert dates here |
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