Name
William Henry (Harry) Darby
1890
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
15/11/1918
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
3371
Hertfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
No. 4 Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, 4 Co' Hertfordshire Reg' Territorials’ Memorial, Hitchin, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin
Pre War
William was born in 1890 in Hitchin and baptised on 20 July 1890 and his parents were Henry and Emily Ellen (possibly occasionally listed as Helen, born in Royston) Darby.
In 1891 the family were living at 5 Dacre Road, Hitchin. Present were both parents: Henry (27) and Emily (32), with Henry working as a carpenter. Their only child at this time was William Harry Darby (1).
In 1901 the family were living in Whinbush Road, Hitchin. Present were both parents and two children: William and Wilfred James (9).
By 1911 the family their address was given as 85 Whinbush Rd, Hitchin, Herts. Present were both parents, Henry still working as a carpenter. The census recorded they had been married for 2 years with 2 children all living. William, now 21 was also a carpenter, and his brother Wilfred James Darby
19 an apprentice coach painter.
A pension records that he married Edith Nellie which must have been after 1911 and probably after October 1914 as she is not mentioned in his service record.
He enlisted on 2 October 1914, and gave his home address as 90 Ickleford Road, Hitchin, where his father lived. He was 5’ 5” and 24 years and 10 months old.
Wartime Service
Military records for William are scarce. He was in No. 4 Company of the Regiment, as his name appears on their memorial. However, his name does not appear in the Herts volume of ‘Soldier; died’ nor has it been found in the CWGC records.
He was embodied immediately after enlisting and underwent training until 13 February 1915 and then sent to France. He returned to England on 6 January 1916 where he remained until his discharge. His was later given a Silver War Badge number 256641 to denote his service. He was discharged as no longer fit for active service on the 24th March 1916 under the clause 2. (b). (a), (1) aged 26. The reason for his discharge is not given, but it has been suggested that this was because of a valvular heart disease contracted whilst on active service.
He died in Hitchin and wife's home was at 6, Cannon's Cottages, Hitchin Hill, Hitchin.
Additional Information
His name is missing from the CWGC records and he has not been identified in the Soldiers Died in the Great War records.
His pension cards record Edith Nellie as his widow as his next of kin but does not give details of any pension.
An ‘In Memoriam’ notice was placed in the Hertfordshire Express of 15 November 1919
Acknowledgments
David C Baines, Jonty Wild
