Name
William Edward Field
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/04/1918
24
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
202327
Royal Welsh Fusiliers
17th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BOUZINCOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
I. J. 10.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Bushey Town Memorial, St James’ Church Memorial, Bushey Brass Cross in St George's Chapel, St Peter's Church, Bushey Heath
Pre War
Born in Bushey in 1894, William Edward Field was the youngest son of Edward and Emma Eliza (née Bousley) Field of 66, School Lane, Bushey. They were married on 26 May 1888 in Bushey. His father was a baker and confectioner with a business on Clay Hill and his mother worked as a laundress. William was one of four children, two of whom did not survive to adulthood.
At the 1891 Census, the family was living in London Road, Bushey. Edward (age 34) and Emma (age 32) now had two children, Gertrude Emma (born 1889) and Charles Edward (born 1890). Charles sadly died in April 1892. Edward was employed as a baker and confectioner. Edward was born in Elstree, whilst Emma and all of their children were born in Bushey.
By the 1901 Census, his parents had moved to 66, School Lane, Bushey and now had three children; Gertrude (age 11), Sophia (age 7) and William Edward (age 6). Edward was now shown as a journey-man baker.
At the 1911 Census, they were still at 66, School Lane and were there at the time of William’s death in 1918. William was now sixteen and employed as an assistant grocer. His sister, Sophie, was a year older and working as a domestic servant. Their father was now recorded as a baker and confectioner and their mother, a laundress.
Wartime Service
When war broke out, William enlisted at Watford initially as Private 25933 in the Bedfordshire Regiment, transferring later as Private 202327 to the 17th Battalion of the Welsh Fusiliers. He had a limp and so served in France and Flanders as a stretcher- bearer. He was killed in action on 27 April 1918, aged 24.
He is remembered with honour at Bouzincourt Communal Cemetery Extension in France. He is also commemorated on the Bushey Memorial, and at St James’ Church and St Peter’s Church, Bushey Heath, where an altar cross was given in his memory.
Additional Information
Information provided with the kind permission of Bushey First World War Commemoration Project – Please visit www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk.
Acknowledgments
Andrew Palmer
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild
