Name
William Charles Todd
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
08/03/1915
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
7243
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 31 and 33.
Belgium
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour
Pre War
Son of William John and Harriet (nee WILSON) TODD; husband of Edith Kate (nee PASSINGHAM) TODD.
His parents married 29 June 1886 at St Matthew’s, Oxhey, Herts.
William was born 1886 in Watford, and baptised 17 December 1886 at St Mary’s, Watford. He married 1908 at St Nicholas’, Elstree, Herts; they had two children. He resided in Elstree. Edith remarried 1921 in the Barnet district to Frederick C ELDRIDGE, and died 1951 in the Barnet district aged 66.
On the 1891 Census, a scholar aged 5 he lived in Watford, with his parents and two siblings. On the 1901 Census, a farm labourer aged 15, he lived in Bushey, with his parents and one sibling. On the 1911 Census, a gardener aged 25, he lived in Elstree, with his wife and one child.
Wartime Service
He previously enlisted in the Militia 10 January 1902 in Watford: a carman aged 17 of Bushey, Herts, 5’4″ tall, C of E.
He had deficient sight for the Army but was passed fit for the Militia. However, on 14 July 1902 he enlisted in the Bedfordshire Regiment.
When war broke out he re-enlisted in London, was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals, his qualifying date being 30 August 1914, and was killed in action in the trenches on the banks of the canal south of Ypres.
Additional Information
There is an article about William in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 27 March 1915.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
