Name
William (Willie) Sygrove
27 Aug 1893
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Harpenden Town Memorial
Pre War
William (Willie) Sygrove was born in 1893 to William Sygrove, agricultural labourer, and Sarah (nee Dowsett).
On the 1901 Census the family were living at Hatching Green, Harpenden. Willie’s father was now working as a brickmaker’s labourer. On the 1911 Census Willie was working as a fishmonger. Willie was working as a greenkeeper at Harpenden Golf Club prior to his enlistment.
Wartime Service
Willie enlisted in Bedfordshire Regiment on 31 Aug 1914 as Private 13207. He went to France on 17 Mar 1915 to Join 2nd Battalion who took part in the Battles of Festubert, Loos and the Somme.
He was made Lance Corporal on 30 Sep 1916. Willie was wounded (Gun Shot Wound to his left thigh) on 15 Oct 1916 during the Battle of Le Transloy and was returned to England on 18 Oct 1916 for treatment at Metropolitan Hospital in London and was discharged to duty on 18 Mar 1916. It was noted that he had a slight Bronchitis. Having been posted to 3rd Battalion Bedfords Willie was medically examined on and pronounced fit for active service with the King’s African Rifles being accepted on 15 Sep 1917. He left Devonport for Mombasa on 19 Sep 1917. His service came to nothing as his bronchitis worsened and together with Asthma required him to be treated in Hospitals in East and South Africa and he returned to UK and posting to 3rd Bedfords on 20 Apr 1918.
He had been rated as Sergeant in KAR. He was treated for Bronchitis and Asthma at Eastbourne Military Hospital and was finally discharged on 15 Nov 1918 as no longer fit for Service. He was awarded a Silver War Badge b 50367 and returned to live with his parents in Harpenden. He died on 13 Jan 1920.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of 22 10s paid to his father. He is not listed in the CWGC records.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild,Mary Skinner, Harpenden & District Local History Society (www.harpenden-history.org.uk)
