Name
William Arthur Flack (DCM)
1893
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
19/12/1915
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Second Lieutenant
Royal Garrison Artillery
27th Trench Bty.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Distinguished Conduct Medal
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BOULOGNE EASTERN CEMETERY
VIII. C. 70.
France
Headstone Inscription
TILL WE MEET AGAIN
UK & Other Memorials
Odsey Village Memorial, Not on the Ashwell Village Memorial
Pre War
William Arthur Flack was born at Ashwell Station, nr Steeple Morden, Cambridgeshire in 1893, the eldest son of Arthur and Rosetta Flack (nee Revell) and one of five children.
On the 1901 Census the family were living at 166 Sturton Street, Cambridge where his father was working as an Engine Driver (Grand Packer). He was educated at Merchant Taylors' School, Mill Street, Ashwell. By 1911 they had moved to Odsey Mill, Ashwell Street, Baldock, Herts. His father was working as an Engine Driver on a Farm with William working as a Coalman (porter).
Before enlisting, William was a labourer on a nearby farm and his parents were living in Rock Road, Royston.
Wartime Service
William served in the Royal Garrison Artillery Regiment, 27th Trench Mortar Battery, in the Western European Theatre of War, entering overseas service on the 6 June 1915.
While a corporal, he showed extreme bravery and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. “For conspicuous gallantry at Hooge on 13 November 1915. He unscrewed a burning fuse from a 50lb trench mortar bomb, which had fallen back into the bore of a gun owing to a misfire. By his prompt and brave action, he saved the lives of the detachment and averted the destruction of the gun. The unscrewed fuse exploded as he threw it from him”. He was then promoted and commissioned to Second Lieutenant 7th December 1915 – 12 days before his death.
William was shot in the head by an enemy sniper and was being transported back to England but died in Boulogne on 19 December 1915 and is buried in the Boulogne Military Cemetery, France.
Biography
Additional Information
His father received a war gratuity of £43 10s and two payments of pay owing totalling £38 17s 8d.
No pension records found.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild, Patty Briggs
