Name
William James Griffin
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
11/10/1918
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
55063
Manchester Regiment
21st Bn
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BELLICOURT BRITISH CEMETERY
VII.K.6
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Rickmansworth Urban District Memorial, St. Mary’s Church Memorial, Rickmansworth, Not listed on the Hertfordshire Yeomanry Memorial, St Albans Cathedral
Pre War
William was born in Marylebone in 1896 and baptised at Bryanston Square, St Mary's, Westminster on the 22nd of November 1896. His parents were Walter John and Florence Ada (nee Hayward) Griffin.
In 1901 they were living 50 Queen Street, Marylebone with their three children, Walter being described as a House Steward(Domestic). In 1911 they were at The King’s Arms in Church Street, Rickmansworth, Walter now a Publican. They now had four children including the 14 year old William James, an Office Boy. Also with them were his grandmother Maria Hayward, a widow, and a Boarder Joseph Cottrel.
Recorded as enlisting in Hertford.
Wartime Service
Formerly No 105995 Hertfordshire Yeomanry.
The 21st Battalion was formed in Manchester on the 13th of November 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. They landed Boulogne in early November 1915 under the command of 91st Brigade 30th Division and in November 1917 moved to Italy with the Division.
The Battalion returned to France on the 13th of September 1918 joining 7th Brigade 25th Division. On the 1st of October 1918 they moved forward to Villers Faucon and Ronssoy and early on the 4th relieved the Australians who attacked at 6.10 am. After four days of fighting 7th Brigade advanced to the cross-roads between Serain and Premont in support. On the 11th, when William was killed in action, they came under fire from a battery of field guns sited on the high ground between Suma (or Sonia) Farm and Serain.
Acknowledgments
Tanya Britton, Mike Collins, Jonty Wild
