Name
William John Lionel Rolls
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
241435
Devonshire Regiment
1st Garrison Battalion
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
William Rolls was listed in the Absent Voter Records for Abbots Langley in Autumn 1918 and Spring 1919. He was initially identified from the Absent Voter Records and was not recorded elsewhere in the Abbots Langley Parish records. In the Absent Voter Records William was listed serving with the 1st Garrison Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment and his address was given at Market Oak, Abbots Langley.
William’s Medal Roll indicated that he initially served with the 5th Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment, and that he deserted on 12th August 1915. At the time the Bedfordshire’s were fighting at Gallipoli. He had joined up on 6th October 1914, and due to his desertion he forfeited his 14 Star medal – awarded to all those who served in 1914. It appears that William did not face a Court Martial for his offence, and escaped a period of imprisonment – the normal penalty for a first offence. His Medal Roll indicated that he was “restored after three years clear of entry” or three years of exemplary service and he received the medals due to him for the rest of his service.
At the end of the War William was serving with the 1st Garrison Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. This unit had been despatched to Egypt on 27th September 1915 and fought in Palestine until the end of the War. The 5th Bedford’s withdrew from Gallipoli on 3rd December 1915, and after a short period on the island of Mudros arrived at Alexandria, Egypt on 18th December. At some point after this William joined the Devonshire Regiment.
In the Absent Voter Records William’s address was given at Market Oak, Abbots Langley, and this is the only association with Abbots Langley that has been identified for this man.
William Rolls survived the War.
Additional Information
Formerly 6255, 5th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
