Name
William Horace West
1 Jul 1897
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
21/12/1916
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
10978
Bedfordshire Regiment
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BETHUNE TOWN CEMETERY
VI. A. 31.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Haileybury College Cloister Wall Memorial, Hertford Heath, Hertford Heath Village Memorial, Holy Trinity Church Memorial, Little Amwell
Pre War
William Horace was born on 1 Jul 1897 in Little Amwell (Baptised 31 Oct 1897) to Daniel West, stoker of stationary engine, and Elizabeth (nee Potkins).
On the 1901 Census William was living at Priors Wood Cottages, Little Amwell with his parents, elder brother Daniel, and sisters Rosie, Jane and Harriet May. On the 1911 Census William Horace was living with his parents, elder brother Henry and sister Harriet May.
He was a member of staff at Haileybury College.
Wartime Service
William enlisted as Private 10978 in the Bedfordshire Regiment. His Service Number could have been issued between 25 Oct 1915 (10972) and 9 Nov 1915 (10983), but as no Service Record could be found for William this could not be confirmed.
Following training he was posted to 8th (Service) Battalion in France and may have taken part in the Battles of Flers-Courcelette, Morval and Le Transloy on the Somme.
On 18 Dec 1916 the 8th Battalion were in trenches at Givenchy-les-la-Bassee and were subject to heavy bombardment that day and on the following day (19 Dec 1916). William was wounded and died at 33 casualty Clearing Station, Bethune on 21 Dec 1916.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £4 and arrears of £1 19s 7d was paid to his father. Brother Henry served with Hertfordshire Regiment and was killed in action on 19 Nov 1914
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Malcolm Lennox, Karen Smith - Acting Director of External Relations www.haileybury.com/honour
