Name
William Rolfe Thurgood
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/03/1918
40
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Air Mechanic 1st Class
50277
Royal Flying Corps
2nd Aircraft Supply Depot
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
DOULLENS COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION NO.1
V. C. 51.
France
UK & Other Memorials
Much Hadham Village Memorial
St Andrew’s Church Memorial, Much Hadham
Stone Bench Plaque, Much Hadham
Congregational Church Memorial, Hadham Cross
Pre War
Born in 1878 and christened on 14 Apr 1878 in Much Hadham, Hertfordshire son of William and Mary Ann (Brace) Thurgood of High St., Much Hadham. He was living in Much Hadham and working as a carpenter in 1901. He married Alice Mariam Hopkins on 1 Oct 1902 in Shoreditch and they lived at Vine Cottage, Much Hadham. He enlisted in November 1916.
Wartime Service
On 21st March 1918, the Germans launched a massive attack on British lines, firing over 1 million shells in 5 hours. This was followed by an attack by ground troops. William was wounded around this time and died at the 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital.
Acknowledgments
Malcolm Lennox, “Lest We Forget – Much Hadham 1914-18” by Richard Maddams (Much Hadham Forge Museum)
