WILLIAM WATERMAN 

The St. Mary's  “Roll of Honour” records two lad’s named Waterman, J. and W. Waterman. The “Fallen” Memorial lists these lads as Wm. Waterman Pte. and Jas. A. Waterman Pte. (The initial thought was these lads would be brothers are at least related but now ………...…)

Wm. (William) Waterman Pte. (Fallen)

C.W.G.C. - record 18 “Fallen” lads named Waterman with the initial “W” or were the first name has the initial “W,” 10 of which have no family reference. From the 10 lads with no family connections, two lads look to have a local connection. Eventually Dec. 2021, a Chester Chronicle & Guardian articles were found which confirmed which of the two lads had the Weaverham connection.

 

Chester Chronicle, 3rd Sept. 1916, P6/C7   WEAVERHAM VICTIM OF MALARIA.   PTE. WM. WATERMAN.

News has been received that Pte. William Waterman, Cheshire Regiment, who made his home with his brother at 40 High St. Weaverham, has lost is life. A letter was received dated August 29th from the Rev. J.W.M. McDonald, Chaplin to the Forces in which he said;- “I am sorry to have to inform you that your brother died in hospital on the 27th and was buried yesterday at the Military Cemetery. I am enclosing a photograph of the cemetery. I was with him when the end came. He just breathed a big sigh and passed quietly away. Your sorrow for him ought to be tempered by the fact that he died while doing his duty for his God, his King and his Country. The cause of death was was malaria and heat stroke. May I express my sincere sympathy with you in your loss.” Pte. Waterman was single and nearly 25. He was a native of Over, Winsford but had resided at Weaverham for a good number of years. He was a groom and had worked for Mr Reiss at Cassia Lodge and also for Captain Higson, Oakmere Hall. He enlisted at the outbreak of war. (The late finding of this article, Jan. 2024, adds to the confusion of who this lad is as the Chester paper states he was from Over, Winsford.)

 

Northwich Guardian, 22nd Sept. 1916, P5/C3   PRIVATE W. WATERMAN.

Mr. J. H. Waterman, of 40 High Street, Weaverham, has been notified that his brother, Private William Waterman, of the Cheshire Regiment, has died from disease in hospital. A letter conveying the news was sent by the Rev. J. W. McDonald, Chaplin of a general hospital, dated August 28th as follows:- “I am sorry to have to inform you that your brother died in hospital on August 27th and was buried yesterday at the military cemetery. I was with him when the end came. He just breathed a big sigh and passed quietly away. Your sorrow for him ought to be tempered by the fact that he died while doing his duty for his God, his King and his Country. May I express my sincere sympathy with you in your sad loss.” Private Waterman, who would have attained his 25th birthday on the 1st inst., had made his home with his eldest brother and sister-in-law at Weaverham since he was 16 years of age. Prior to the war he was employed in the stables at Oakmere Hall, Sandiway, the residence of Captain Higson. He joined the Colours in August 1914, and after a period of training, was sent on active service, and saw fighting in various theatres of war.

C.W.G.C. remember a W. Waterman, Private with the 2nd Bn. Cheshire Regiment, Service No 25181, died 27/8/1916. Remembered at the SALONIKA (LEMBET ROAD) MILITARY CEMETERY, GREECE. (Age not stated and no family details included.)

N.A.M.C. have medal cards for 378 lads named Waterman and 34 lads who use the Christian name William. They have 2 medal cards for William, with the Service No 25181 being:- William Waterman, Cheshire, awarded 15 Star, British and Victory medals, Theatre of War France, Date of Entry 2/6/15. Written on the card “Died 27/8/16.”

Research Bob Heaton