Name
William Sidney Francis Poole
23/07/1898
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
09/10/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
9405
Honourable Artillery Company
2nd
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BUTTES NEW BRITISH CEMETERY, POLYGON WOOD
XXI. A. 5.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
He has no family inscription on his Headstone.
UK & Other Memorials
Cheshunt Town Memorial, Church of St Mary the Virgin Memorial Cheshunt
Pre War
William Sidney Francis Poole was born in Ilford, Essex, on 23rd July 1898, son of George Poole a, Labourer and Katherine Poole (nee Wakefield), their only son.
He was Baptised at the Church of St Edward the Confessor, Romford, Essex.
1901 Census records Walter aged 3, living with his parents at, 3 Magdala Cottages, Clyde Estate, Ilford, Essex. The family have a boarder, Septimus Anderson.
The family moved to Cheshunt, Herts, about 1909, William is recorded as attending Cheshunt County Senior school from September 1909 until December 1912, when he left to go to College, aged 14.
1911 Census, William (12) and his parents are living at, Aldbury Farm Cottages, Waltham Cross, Cheshunt, Herts. His father’s occupation is given as Farmers son.
Wartime Service
Aged 18, William travelled to Armoury House, City Road, London, the HQ of the Honourable Artillery Company to enlist for the duration of the war on 15th November 1916, issued with the service number 9405.
On completion of his training, he embarked at Southampton, Hampshire, on 21st August 1917, for Le Havre, France, arriving the following day the 22nd. Remaining at Base Camp at Le Havre until 30th August 1917, when he was posted to his unit in the field. He was reported missing presumed Killed in Action on 9th October 1917, in the area of Reutel in Belgium, He was serving with No 3. Company, 2nd Honourable Artillery Company at the time of his death. He is buried in Buttes New Cemetery, Polygon Wood, Belgium.
Additional Information
His mother Katherine received a Dependents Pension of 3/6 a week for life from 6th November 1918, Katherine died in the latter half of 1920, aged 51, her death was recorded in Edmonton, Middx.
His effects of £3-10-9, pay owing and his war gratuity of £3, went to his father George Poole.
His service record is available on-line.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
