William French died in the last days of the war. He was wounded on the field of battle and as he lay injured he had anything of value stolen from him. This included his pencil and paper for writing home. He was rescued and spent several weeks in hospital where the staff were amazing and supplied him with writing materials etc. He wrote home regularly to his little family very loving and positive letters. I have his letters and telegrams sent and also the letters from the hospital staff telling of his demise. They are very poignant. He made good progress and was expecting to come home but then had a massive haemorrhage from which he died. My grandmother (his wife and daughters) managed to make the journey by sea to his grave but unfortunately the sea was so rough the ship had to turn back to Port in England without ever landing She never tried again as the crossing had been so awful. My son (his great grandson) was the first to visit and we have since visited the grave too. It is an amazing place overlooking the sea and very peaceful and immaculately maintained.

ann ellis