Name
William James Mansfield
4/10/1893
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
21/03/1918
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
43020
Essex Regiment
11th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VAULX HILL CEMETERY
III. E. 2.
France
Headstone Inscription
"THY WILL BE DONE"
UK & Other Memorials
Barley Village Memorial, St Margaret's Church Memorial, Barley
Pre War
William James MANSFIELD was born in Barley, Herts, on 4th October 1893, son of Albert Mansfield a Builders Carman and Rebecca Manssfield (nee Chapman). One of their ten children.
He was Baptised on 17th December 1893, in the Parish of Barley, Herts.
1901 Census records William aged 7, living with his parents, sisters Emily (8), Edith (6) and three brothers, Arthur (5), Harry (3) and Albert (1), in Smiths End, Barley, Herts.
1911 census, William (17) is working as a Farm Labourer, living with his parents, four sisters and four brothers, still at Smiths End, Barley.
Wartime Service
William enlisted at West Ham, Essex, posted to the Essex Regiment, issued with the service number 43020. On completion of his training, he was sent to France. He was promoted to Lance Corporal in the field.
He was Killed in Action on 21st March 1918, aged 23, during the Battle of St Quentin. At the time of his death he was serving with the 11th Battalion, Essex Regiment.
He is buried in Vaulx Hill Cemetery, France. Grave Ref; III. E. 2.
Additional Information
His effects of £23-16-10, pay owing and his war gratuity of £16, when to his mother Rebecca Mansfield.
A Pension card exists for his mother as a dependent, but no Pension amount is recorded, Willliam and his brother Harry are both recorded on the Pension card.
His Headstone inscription “THY WILL BE DONE” was requested by his mother Rebecca.
His younger brother Private 126693 Harry Mansfield, died on 17th April 1918, of wounds received in action.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Paul Johnson, Adrian Pitts
