Name
William Robert Pegrum
1867
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
01/12/1916
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
O/0745
Army Ordnance Corps
107th Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Searched but not found
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LONDON COLNEY (ST. PETER) CHURCHYARD
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
He has no family inscription on his Headstone.
UK & Other Memorials
London Colney Village Memorial, London Colney Roll of Honour, Royal Army Ordnance Corps Memorial
Pre War
William Robert PEGRUM was born In 1867, in Brentford, Middlesex, son of John George Pegrum a Carpenter and Harriet Pegrum (nee Hurst). One of their seven children, although two died in infancy. His parents were married on 13th January 1856, at Holy Trinity Church, Hounslow, Middx.
1871 Census records William aged 3, living with his parents, sisters Ellen (13), Elizabeth (9), brothers John (10) and George (6) in Ealing Lane Vale Cottages, Ealing, Middx.
In 1880 William and four of his friends were arrested for stealing six woollen scarves, they were aged between 12 & 14, the Charman of Richmond and Stains Magistrates Court stated, as they had been in trouble before, they would be sent to Feltham Industrial School.
1881 Census records William aged 13, an Inmate at Middlesex County Industrial School, Feltham, Middx. His mother Harriett is recorded as a widow, living in Enfield Road, Acton, Middx, with her children Ellen (23), Elizabeth (20) and George (17), Harriett and her two daughters are recorded as Laundry Woman.
John George Pegrum died between 1871 & 1881, the exact date could not be confirmed, Harriett Pegrum died in April 1885.
William married Emily/Emma Harrison on 18th March 1893, at All Saints Church, South Acton, Middx, they went on to have six children although four died in infancy.
1901 Census records William, Emily and 4-month-old son Frederick, as Boarding with William and Arabella Franklin, in Waterside, London Colney, Herts. William is recorded as a House Painter.
1911 Census, William, Emily, are now living in London Road, London Colney, Herts, with their two children Frederick (10) and Edith (1). They have two Boarders.
Wartime Service
William volunteered at St Albans, in 1915, aged 48, posted to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, after his training William served in various parts of the Uk, he did not serve overseas.
Owing to ill health William was admitted to the 5th Southern General Hospital, Milton Annex, Portsmouth, Hants, were he died on 1st December 1916. He is buried in St Peters Churchyard, London Colney, Herts. Emily and the family were living at “Mytle Cottage” London Colney, Herts.
Additional Information
Emily received a widow’s pension of 20/-, a week from 4th June 1917, and his effects of £4-11s-02d, pay owing and his war gratuity of £3-10s-00d.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild
