William was born, the 2nd child, of career soldier William Bentley Howes, so early childhood was spent following his father to various military postings in British Isles, finally settling in Melbourn, Cambridgeshire on his fathers departure from the army. He moved to Hillingdon, where he married Elizabeth Jane Tucker in 1907, who gave birth to Bessie in 1909 & Helen in 1911 (who died same year). He continued his trade as a bricklayer, which is what he was doing when he was called up in March 1915, aged 32. The great tragedy for William is that he was not ****ed by enemy fire, but by an horrific accident when he and other soldiers were preparing charges for an ***ault the following day, New Years Day 1916. Somehow there was a m***ive explosion, and those involved were ****ed and many others nearby were injured. This in no way diminishes his courage, or the high esteem in which the family held him.

Steve Howes