William was one of my maternal grandfather's cousins. Grandad’s brother ‘Charlie’ (Thomas Charles Tointon Turner) was also killed in action in WWI and is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial. Both lads were natives of Waltham Abbey in Essex.

My husband and I made a trip to France and many of the CWGC Cemeteries in June 2014 and we visited Williams’ final resting place to pay our respects and place a poppy.

Norfolk Cemetery is relatively small, and by a quiet, rural roadside, it is surrounded by lush, green fields and a wonderfully peaceful location. We were overwhelmed with the heartfelt inscription on the headstone, which reads: "DEAR SON, I MISS YOU AS EACH DAY GOES BY YOUR MEMORY AND LOVING FACE WILL NEVER FADE". Such a beautiful and poignant tribute. I learnt today that the families were charged 3.5pence per letter, which makes this even more special, as from the research I have carried out the family were certainly not well-off, quite the contrary in fact.

Ever grateful for the sacrifice made.

Jane Ruffell