Name
William Frederick Courtis
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
30/11/1917
46
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Sapper
153038
Royal Engineers
120th Railway Operating Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
RENINGHELST NEW MILITARY CEMETERY
IV. B. 25.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Watford memorials (*1)
Pre War
Son of Charles Harry and Jane (nee BROWN) COURTIS; husband of Sarah Jane (nee THORNTON) COURTIS of Watford.
His parents married 13 February 1870 at St Saviour’s, Southwark, London. Charles died 1927 in the Camberwell district aged 77, and was buried 9 September in Nunhead Cemetery, London; Jane died 1929 in the Camberwell district aged 80, and was buried 24 May, also in Nunhead Cemetery, London.
William was born 1871 in Deptford, London, and baptised 8 October 1871 at St James’, Hatcham, London. He married 19 December 1914 at St Barnabas’, Kensington, London. Sarah never remarried; she died 29 December 1934 in Watford aged 67 and was buried 4 January 1935 in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford.
There is a Marriage announcement for William in the Observer dated 26 December 1914.
On the 1881 Census, aged 9 he lived in Deptford, with his parents and five siblings. On the 1891 Census, a painter aged 19, he lived in Camberwell, with his parents and eight siblings. On the 1901 Census, a house painter aged 29, he still lived in Camberwell, with his parents and six siblings. On the 1911 Census, a painter aged 40, he still lived in Camberwell, with his parents and three siblings.
Recorded as born in London and enlisted in Camberwell, Surrey.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Camberwell, Surrey, and was formerly Private 476 Royal West Surrey Regiment.
He was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 27 July 1915, and was killed in action.
Additional Information
There is a Death announcement for William in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 29 December 1917.
Unfortunately, William’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
