Name
William Charles Humphrey
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/04/1918
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
266534
Hertfordshire Regiment
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 153.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Rickmansworth Urban District Memorial,
St. Mary’s Church Memorial, Rickmansworth,
St. Peter's C & E Primary School Memorial, Mill End,
Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial, All Saints Church, Hertford
Pre War
William was born in Rickmansworth in 1897 the son of Arthur and Annie (nee Clark)Humphrey. In 1901, with three children, they were living Uxbridge Road, Rickmansworth.
In 1911, now with eight children, at Two stones, Rickmansworth. When William died they had moved to 104 Norfolk Road, Rickmansworth.
Recorded as enlisting in Hertford.
Wartime Service
The 1st Battalion, a territorial unit, mobilised for war early November 1914 and was immediately sent to France as part of 4th (Guards) Brigade, 2nd Division, arriving at the front line on the 11th of November.
They fought numerous actions during the next four years, changing Brigades/Divisions several times. Their last move, on the 11th of May 1918, was to 112th Brigade 39th Division.
William was probably killed in the defence of the Brasserie and the Spoil Bank at the Battle of the Scherpenberg. This was part of the Battle of the Lys, itself part of the German Spring Offensive.
Acknowledgments
Malcolm Lennox, Tanya Britton, Mike Collins, Jonty Wild
