Name
William Howard Proctor (DSO)
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/04/1917
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Captain
The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
10th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Distinguished Service Order
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ARRAS MEMORIAL
Bay 7.
France
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Bengeo War memorials
Kirby Le Soken War Memorial, Essex
Pre War
Born in 1894, his father was the Reverend William George Proctor and his mother was Ellen Carter Proctor and at the time of his death they were living in Tonwell Cottage, Bengeo. William may have been born in India and had two sisters Ruth and Margaret and one brother George Dennis and in 1911 were living at 160 Beckenham Road, Penge, but this has been difficult to confirm.
Wartime Service
Enlisted in the Loyal North Lancs. Regt., sent to France in late July 1915. Took part in the Somme campaign at the Battle of the Ancre, during which William, then a Temporary Lieutenant was awarded the DSO (mentioned in the London Gazette 26/09/1916) despite suffering a bullet through his jaw he continued leading his men until exhausted by loss of blood. In 1917 they took part in the First Battle of the Scarpe in the Arras campaign and then on 23rd April at the Second battle of the Scarpe. William was killed during the attack on the Hindenburg Line near Roeux Station.
Acknowledgments
Terry & Glenis Collins
