WILLIAM HENRY GRIFFITHS

A Corporal with the 4th Battalion London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) (84118).  He was born on 21st December 1895 in Hordley, Shropshire, and died on 18th March 1919, aged 23.  He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.  His parents were James and Mary Jane Griffiths (née James).

William's army service records are not available

The 1901 Census shows William living at home at Weston Common, with his father, mother and young sister Mary Ellen, he is aged five and his father's occupation is 'Cowman on Farm'.

The 1911 Census shows William living at home at Hawthorn Cottage, Weston Common, with his father, mother, sister and two brothers, Frank and Tom. He is 15 and a 'Shop Assistant Grocer'. His father's occupation is given as a 'Waggoner on a Farm'.

William's Medal Rolls Index Card shows he originally enlisted with the Army Ordnance Corps (013590) and transferred to the Kings Royal Rifle Corps (204251) before joining the London Regiment.

William's death certificate shows he died from a machine gun bullet wound, which was sustained in August 1918, eight months prior to his death. William died at Heald's Place Military Hospital in Rusholme, Manchester. His cause of death is given as, '(1) Machine Gun Bullet Wound 8 Months, (2) Septicaemia 1 month'. His home address is given as Weston Common, Bashurch and his occupation 'Grocer's Assistant'.

Annie Jones