Name
William Harmer Eyden
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/09/1916
30
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
22454
Grenadier Guards
3rd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ST. SEVER CEMETERY, ROUEN
B.23.59.
France
UK & Other Memorials
Aston War Memorial
St. Mary’s Church Roll of Honour, Aston
Stevenage Old Town Memorial
St Nicholas' Church Memorial, Stevenage Old Town
Holy Trinity Church Memorial Roll of Honour, Stevenage Old Town
Pre War
William was the son of William & Sarah Ann Eyden of Fishers Green, Stevenage. His father was a Domestic Gardner and after leaving school William took up the same profession.
Wartime Service
He was to lose his life in the Battle of Morval, during the later stages of the Somme offensive.
On the 24th September 1916 the Battalion formed up in the assembly trenches in front of the village of Ginchy. Regimental records show the trenches were so narrow that the men could not sit or lie down in them and had to remain shoulder to shoulder until the following day when, at 12.35, they attacked Ginchy.
The assault was held up by uncut wire and four officers went forward to try and cut it by hand. The battalion, led by NCOs, then charged through the gap to take the objective but the cost was high with William being amongst the wounded. He died the next day as a result of his injuries and is buried in the St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France.
Additional Information
www.stevenageatwar.com
Acknowledgments
Paul Johnson
