Name
William Wilberforce Bunnage
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
06/08/1915
24
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
14070
Worcestershire Regiment
4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HELLES MEMORIAL
Panel 104 to 113.
Turkey (including Gallipoli)
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, St Matthew’s Church Memorial, Oxhey, Not on the Croxley Green memorials
Pre War
William Wilberforce Bunnage was born in Croxley Green, Herts in 1892, the eldest son of Wilberforce Bunnage and Eliza Bunnage (nee Hill), William was one of seventeen children, five of whom died during childhood.
His parents married 25 December 1886 at All Saints, King’s Langley, Herts. Wilberforce died in Watford 1912 aged 48, and was buried 14 February in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Eliza died 1948 in Watford aged 82, and was buried 26 January, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
William was born 1892 in Watford, and resided in Watford.
1901 Census records William aged 9, living with his parents, sisters Annie 12, May 8, Elsie 5, Lily 2, brothers Harold 7 and 8-month-old Thomas, at Rookery Cottages, Watford.
By 1911 now aged 19, William was working as a Labourer still living at home with his parents, eight sisters and two brothers, at Rookery Cottages, Watford. His father Wilberforce died the following year aged 48.
Wartime Service
William enlisted in London and posted to the Worcestershire Regiment with the service No. 14070. His Medal Card indicates he arrived in Gallipoli in April 1915.
He was Killed in Action on 6th August 1915, during an assault on the Turkish Trench “H 13” (During the Battle at Krithia Vineyard). The assault started at 3:50pm, with 24 Officers and 800 other ranks of the 4th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment. Just 12 men returned to their original line after midnight. The worst day in the History of the Battalions.
He is remembered with honour at the Helles Memorial on the Gallipoli peninsular and is commemorated at the memorial at St Matthew’s Church, Oxhey.
He was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 30 April 1915.
Additional Information
There is a Death announcement for William in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 4 March 1916. The value of his effect were £3-19s-1d, Pay Owing and £3, War Gratuity which went to his mother Eliza. His mother was awarded 3/6 a week Pension as a Dependant. Son of Mrs. E. Bunnage, of 66, The Rookery Cottage, Watford. Unfortunately, William’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne, Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild, Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
