Willam's Story.
William had been born in the Portwood area of Stockport. As a younger man, he had joined the army, fighting in the Boer War and being wounded. He had then served eight years in India, leaving the army around 1909/1910. He had married and was living at 58 Brinnington Avenue, Stockport and was working at Faulder's Works in the town. An active man, William kept himself fit as a keen gymnast. On leaving the army, William had been required to undertake 5 years’ service as a Reservist. He had only one month left to complete when war was declared in August 1914. He was still recalled and was drafted to Birkenhead to train new recruits until September when he was sent to the front. He will have been part of group of re-enforcements who joined the Battalion on 16 September. After a short period of reorganisation, the Battalion was sent into action at La Bassee.