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
D.C.M
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 memorials
Pre War
William was born in 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.
In 1911 the family were living at 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 with the Royal Garrison Artillery 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 commissioned to Second Lieutenant 7th December 1915 – 12 days before his death.
He was shot in the head by an enemy sniper and was being transported back to England but died in Boulogne on 19 December 1915.
William was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, the 14/15 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.
He is buried in the Boulogne Military Cemetery, Eastern Part 11 UK Graves A-F,
Biography
Additional Information
His personal headstone inscription reads “Till We Meet Again” as requested by Mr A Flack of Rock Road, Royston.
His father received a war gratuity of £43 10s and two payments of pay owing totalling £38 17s 8d.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild, Patty Briggs
