William George Warner was born in September 1894 while his family were living at New Barn, Great Marlow and baptised on 14 October 1894. His parents were Thomas William & Belinda Warner and he was brother to Albert Edward born around 1892, Annie born around 1898, Lilian Rachel born around 1900, Ada May born around 1903, and Ernest Emmanuel born around 1906. 

The 1901 census shows the family living in Bicester Road, Long Crendon and in the 1911 census William is shown as a groom on a farm living at Burcote Farm, Abingdon.

William was Private No.14170 Lancashire Fusiliers   and was awarded the Victory Medal & British Medal. 

William’s brother Albert also served in the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry. The 10 September 1915 edition of the South Bucks Free Press published a letter to Mr & Mrs Warner from L/Cpl E.D. Stock of the Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry who was a friend of Albert E. Warner saying Albert had been wounded in the leg but not seriously, by a bomb bursting in the trenches. 

On 13 March 1916, while his family was living at Holmers Farm, Booker William died. A report of his death, which included a copy of a letter from his Lieutenant          to his parents at Holmers Farm, was published in the South Bucks Free Press dated 24th March 1916. His family moved to Beachgrove Farm Cottages, Chinnor shortly afterwards. 

William is remembered with Honour at Rue-Des-Berceaux Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L’avoue. He is also commemorated at Booker Memorial Hall, Bucks and West Wycombe Church.

Julie Wright