Name
William Hart
24/08//1889
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
21/07/1916
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
7324
East Surrey Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 6 B and 6 C.
France
Headstone Inscription
He has no Headstone. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France, to the missing
UK & Other Memorials
St Matthew’s Church Memorial, Oxhey,
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
St Michael, and All Angels Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
William Hart was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, on 24th August 1889 and baptised 20 September 1889 at St Matthew’s, Oxhey, Herts. Son of William Hart, a Paper Mill Worker and Emily Hart (nee Morris). One of 11 Children three of which died in childhood. His parents married 1875 in the Dudley, Staffs, district. William died 1917 aged 62; Emily died 1929 aged 75; both in the Watford district.
Baptised on 20th September 1889, at St Matthew’s Church, Oxhey, Herts.
1891 Census records William aged 1, living with his parents, sisters Emily 14, Minnie 3, brothers Arthur 12, Charles 8, and James 5, at Hamper Hills, Eastbury Road, Watford, Herts.
1901 Census records him aged 11, living with his parents, brothers James 15, Frederick 9, sisters Minnie 13 and Alice 5, at Hamper Mill Cottages, Watford, Herts.
By 1911 now aged 21 William was working as a Carman (Driver of a horse draw vehicle) and lodging with Mr & Mrs Pollard, at 5 Shaftesbury Road, Watford, Herts.
William married Elizabeth Emily Wheeler the daughter of Alfred Wheeler and Annie Wheeler (nee Hunt), in Croxley Green, Herts, in October 1913. They had two children Thora Irene Hart and Sylvia Rose Hart.
Wartime Service
William enlisted in Watford, Herts, posted to the East Surrey Regiment, with the service number 7324. His medal index card indicates he landed in France on 17th July 1915.
On the evening of the 20th July 1916, the Battalion arrived in the front-line trenches between High Wood (Bois des Foureaux) and Longueval.
William was Killed in Action on Friday 21st July 1916, at the “Battle of the Somme – Attack on High Wood”.
William has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. Pier and Face 6 B & 6 C.
His younger brother Frederick Hart was killed in action on 25th November 1917, he is also commemorated on the St Matthews Church Memorial.
Additional Information
The value of his effects were £1-0s-2d, Pay Owing and £9, War Gratuity which went to his widow Elizabeth.
Elizabeth received a widows pension of 18/6 per week, at the time the Pension was issued she was living at 96, Harwood Road, Watford, Herts.
Elizabeth remarried 1928 in the Watford district to Sidney GARTON, and died 15 February 1986 in Watford aged 99.
There is an In Memoriam for William in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 27 July 1918.
His brother Frederick died 25 November 1917 and also features on Watford Borough Roll of Honour.
Also see ‘Additional Information’ provided with kind permission of Bushey First World War Commemoration Project – Please visit www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk), Jonty Wild
