Name
William Arthur Ray
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
01/04/1918
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/71677
Royal Fusiliers *1
23rd (County of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
MESNIL COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
II. C. 18.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Wheathampstead Village Memorial, Not on the Harpenden memorials, Not on the Batford memorials
Pre War
William Arthur was born in 1899 in Wheathampstead to Thomas Edward Ray, a gardener’s labourer, and Clara (nee Jackson). The family were living at the Folly, Wheathampstead.
On the 1901 Census the family of parents (now listed as Wray) were living at the Folly, Wheathampstead with Milly (born 1891), Ada (born 1893) Violet (born 1895) Arthur Thomas (born 1897) and Willie (Arthur William). On the 1911 Census the family of parents, older brother Arthur Thomas, younger sister Emily Violet and grandson Harry Reginald were living at Cold Harbour, Harpenden.
William's parents later lived at Lea Cottages, Batford, Harpenden. The Family has been recorded as Wray at times.
Wartime Service
No Service Record was found for William however he was enlisted in 1917 and after training in 31st Training Battalion, as TR/10/27395, nominally for the Royal Fusiliers and was posted in 1918 to the 23rd (1st Sportsman’s) Battalion Royal Fusiliers in France.
The 23rd were a unit of 2nd Division and were involved in defending against the German Advances of Operation Michael (Kaiserschlacht) particularly St Quentin (21-23 March), Bapaume (24-25 March and Arras (28 March) William was killed in action on 1 Apr 1918 during this period.
Additional Information
War Gratuity £3 10s and arrears of £3 4s 4d paid to his mother.
Brother Arthur Thomas served with Queens (Royal West Surrey) Regiment from 1918 with Army of Occupation in Cologne, Germany and was demobilised in 1920.
*1 Believed
more correctly, (County of London) Bn. London Regiment.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
