Name
William John Coster
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
21/01/1917
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
4772
Hertfordshire Regiment
1st/1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
STE. MARIE CEMETERY, LE HAVRE
Div 3, Row D, Grave 18.
France
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
Christ Church Memorial, Watford,
Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial, All Saints Church, Hertford
Pre War
Son of the late Charles and Elizabeth (nee SEABROOK) COSTER; husband of Priscilla (nee ROLLINGS) COSTER of Watford.
His parents married 1886 in the Watford district. Elizabeth died 1907 in Watford aged 41, and was buried 2 June in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Charles died 1912 in Watford aged 49, and was buried 24 October, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
William was born 21 December 1893 in Watford, and attended Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 5 January 1903 to 7 December 1906. He married 18 March 1916 at Christ Church, Watford. He resided in Watford. Priscilla remarried 19 April 1924 at Christ Church, Watford, to Alfred WEBB.
On the 1901 Census, aged 8 he lived in Watford, with his parents and five siblings. On the 1911 Census, a builder’s labourer aged 18, he still lived in Watford.
Wartime Service
He enlisted into the Territorial Force for 4 year’s service in the United Kingdom in Hertford 26 March 1915: aged 22, 5’6½” tall, C of E.
He embarked from Southampton 21 April 1916, arriving at No. 1 T B Depot 22 April 1916. He then went to No. 6 Entrenching Battalion 19 May 1916, finally joining his Battalion 22 June 1916.
He suffered gun shot wounds to both thighs, spent time at 132 Field Hospital before transferring to 49 Casualty Clearing Station 15 November 1916. He died at No. 2 General Hospital, Havre, of wounds received in action.
He was entitled to the Victory and British War medals.
Additional Information
There is an article about William in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 27 January 1917.
His brother Charles died 3 May 1917 and also features on Watford Borough Roll of Honour.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
