Name
William Edward Bartlett
29 Dec 1889
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/09/1915
24
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
B/1715
Rifle Brigade
9th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY
I. D. 19
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
LET ANGELS WATCH OVER HIS GRAVE R.I.P.
UK & Other Memorials
Potters Bar, Little Heath & Bentley Heath Memorial, Potters Bar, All Souls Chapel Book of Remembrance, Potters Bar
Pre War
William Edward Bartlett was born in Bethnal Green, London on 19 Dec 1889 (baptised on 16 Jan 1890) to William Bartlett, a car man, and Jane (nee Boyce), a boot machinist.
On the 1890 Census William was living with his parents were living at 16, Middle Walk, Bethnal Green.
On the 1901 Census the family of parents, William, Henry F (born 1892), Louisa (born 1894),Matilda (born 1897), Richard J (born 1898) and Rose (born 1901) were living at 48, Westmoreland Place, City Road, Hoxton.
On the 1911 Census William was working as a domestic groom and living at Church Road, South Mimms with James and Ada Oxbury. His family of parents Louisa, Matilda, Rose, Arthur and Gertrude were living at 55, Westmoreland Place, City Road, Hoxton. His father died in 1918.
Wartime Service
William volunteered on 31 Aug 1914 as Rifleman B/1715 in the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own) and reported at Winchester on 1 Sep 1914 for training. On 3 Sep 1914 William was posted to 9th (Service) Battalion KRRC. He was promoted to Corporal on 2 Feb 1915. William and 9th Battalion went to France on 20 May 1915 as part of 41 Brigade 14th (Light) Division and were deployed to the Ypres Salient occupying trenches at Hooge (an area of much activity). On 30 Jul 1915 the Germans attacked using Flame throwers for the first time. During fighting around this period William received a Gun Shot Wound to his right forearm and was treated at 24 General Hospital, Etaples. He returned to his Battalion on 30 Aug 1915.
The Battalion took part in the attack at Bellewaarde on 25 Sep 1915 (a subsidiary attack as part of the Battle of Loos). During this action William was wounded and although removed to 17 Casualty Clearing Station for treatment, he died of his wounds on 25 Sep 1915. He was initially buried at Map Ref. Sh27 L 22 D.6.3.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £4 10s and arrears of £6 10s 8d was paid to his mother Jane. She ordered his headstone inscription while living at 55, Westmoreland Place, Nile St., Hoxton, London, it reads: "LET ANGELS WATCH OVER HIS GRAVE R.I.P.".
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
