William Wallace's Story.
Birkenhead News 28 December 1918
DIED WHILST ON XMAS LEAVE
Mr. W.W. Almond, of 11 Borough Road, Birkenhead, the machine-room overseer at Messrs. Willmer Bros. Ltd, and Mrs. Almond have sustained the severest of losses in the death of their only son, Mr. William Wallace Almond, at the age of 19 years. Whilst an apprentice with Messrs. Cammell Laird and Co. the deceased, of his own free will, joined the Navy on June 24th 1917, and during the last twelve months had been engaged on the “Berwick”, a convoy ship. About nine weeks ago he was taken seriously ill at Devonport but recovered and came home on sick leave about Nov 2nd. Whilst on this leave he was again laid low, and for three weeks was an inmate of the Borough Hospital. He was discharged as cured from that organisation and returned to his ship. On Dec 16th he came back to Birkenhead for his Christmas leave, and told his parents that he was very well save that his head troubled him but on Saturday morning he died quite suddenly, and in announcing this sad end of a bright and promising young life deep sympathy must be extended to his bereaved parents.
A large number of people assembled at Flaybrick Hill Cemetery, on Thursday last, when the funeral took place. The coffin was draped with the Union Jack and a contingent of sailors from H.M.S. Eagle marched in procession, naval honours being given.