Name
William King
1898
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
13/08/1917
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
31945
Bedfordshire Regiment
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
MENIN ROAD SOUTH MILITARY CEMETERY
I. T. 26.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin
Pre War
William was born in 1898 in Hitchin and christened on 4 March 1898 at St. Mary’s Church, Hitchin, His parents were Arthur and Julia King.
In 1901 the family were living at 4 Biggin Lane, Hitchin. Present were both parents: Arthur (43) and Julia (44), with Arthur working as an engineer mechanic. Their children were: Herbert (19), Emma (16), Arthur (junior) (17), Elizabeth (14), Rachel (5) and William (3).
In 1911 the family were still at 4 Biggin Lane, Hitchin, Herts. Present were both parents, with Arthur now working as a steam roller driver for Hitchin Urban District Council. The census recorded they had been married for 29 years with 6 children, of whom 3 had died. Of the children only Rachel and William were now living at home.
Officially William was recorded as born and living in Hitchin, Herts. when he enlisted in Bedford.
Wartime Service
William was given the Regimental Number 31945. He was already in the Army by September 1914. He was posted to the 7th Battalion of the Regiment and died of wounds in Belgium having been wounded in the leg on the 10th August 1917. He was probably admitted to either No. 48 or No. 21 Casualty Clearing Stations which operated at Ypres. One of his friends wrote to his mother saying that her son was wounded in the leg on August 10 and then stated that “he has heard that Private King died of wounds.”
This probably occurred as a result of an assault on the 10th August 1917 when the 18th Division attacked astride the Menin Road in the Ypres Salient. The 7th Battalion of the Bedfords and the 11th Royal Fusiliers were leading the attack by the 54th Brigade. The 7th Bedfords reached their objective in Glencorse Wood in about half an hour. However, the units on their flanks were held up and the Bedfords had to beat off counterattacks in an awkward salient. The Battalion lost 5 officers and 279 other ranks which was over one third of the Battalion strength.
He was buried in the Menin Road South Cemetery in Belgium in Plot I, Row P, Grave 26.
Additional Information
After his death £4 10s 4d was authorised to go to his mother, Julia, on 24 January 1918. Later, a war gratuity of £3 was authorised to be paid to her, on 3 November 1919.
His pension cards record Julia as his mother and dependant, living at 7 Biggin Lane, Hitchin. She was awarded a pension of 6s a week from 9 April 1918. After she died xxx the cards were amended to his father, Arthur at the same address.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
