William was the eldest boy in a large family who joined up aged only 17 and arrived in France in December 2014. He died with 11 others when the barn he was sleeping in took a direct shelling early in the morning of 1st January 1915. William has no known grave and is one of the many commemorated on the Menin Gate. Sadly his parents were unable to attend the opening ceremony at the gate but future generations ie nephews, great and great great nephews and nieces have been very proud to visit Ypres and remember the sacrifice of William and his brothers in arms.

Valerie King