William's Story.
William was the son of Henry and Mary White, Henry was originally from Knutsford, his wife Mary from Pemberton, Lancashire. In 1901 the family were living at 1 Eaton Road, Tarporley, Henry was 46, and working as a bricklayer's labourer. The census shows that William 11, had an elder brother, Thomas 20, working as a labourer on the roads, and then three younger siblings, Alice 8, Martha 6 and Harry 2. By 1911 the family had moved to 117 High Street, Tarporley. Henry 56 was working as a farm labourer as was Thomas. William 21 was working as a bricklayer’s labourer. Martha 16 was working as a domestic servant, and Harry 12 was still at school. Also, at the time when the census was taken a granddaughter, Maggie 9, was also in the family home. The 1911 census also shows that Henry and Mary had been married 34 years they had ten children of which three had sadly died.
William went to France in 1916 and was attached to the 10th battalion Cheshire Regiment. In the first half of the year the battalion were near to Vimy. In late June they were in the rear area of the Somme region on the 3 July, three days after the battle had started, they moved into the front line at Authuille wood. The following few weeks the battalion moved in and out of the line in the area around La Boisselle, and Hamel. On the 23 August the battalion relieved the 3rd Worcestershire Regiment for the next few days they were subject to heavy shelling. William is listed as killed in action on the 25 August, the Chester Chronicle dated 30 September 1916, stated his was shot in the head. However, it could be he was hit by shrapnel from the shelling, the war diary for day states.
25 Aug. very heavy bombardment during the evening, much damage done to our trenches. Saw the S.O.S. go up and the battalion stood by, the battalion bombers under 2nd Lieutenant Dummer were called up from the reserve, but they were not after all required, and they spent the night in dugouts close to the battalion right. Enemy bombardment lasted all night. We fortunately had no casualties.
Although the diary states there were no casualties, this can be misleading as it may have been written up a few days later, it could also mean that there were no casualties from the shelling and that William was indeed shot by a sniper. Records today show that William was the only soldier from the battalion to fall on 25 August 1916.
Another Tarporley Boy
Killed in Action.
Pte. William White, who joined the Cheshire Regiment on the 17 February, was killed in action on the 25 August. He was shot through the head. Pte. White was a steady young man, and a great help and support to his parents. Much sympathy is felt for them in their bereavement. A memorial service was held in the parish church on Sunday. Canon Hughes preached. Special hymns were sung, and Mr. W.E. Garner played the “Dead March.”
Chester Chronicle 30 September 1916.
William went to France in 1916 and was attached to the 10th battalion Cheshire Regiment. In the first half of the year the battalion were near to Vimy. In late June they were in the rear area of the Somme region on the 3 July, three days after the battle had started, they moved into the front line at Authuille wood. The following few weeks the battalion moved in and out of the line in the area around La Boisselle, and Hamel. On the 23 August the battalion relieved the 3rd Worcestershire Regiment for the next few days they were subject to heavy shelling. William is listed as killed in action on the 25 August, the Chester Chronicle dated 30 September 1916, stated his was shot in the head. However, it could be he was hit by shrapnel from the shelling, the war diary for day states.
25 Aug. very heavy bombardment during the evening, much damage done to our trenches. Saw the S.O.S. go up and the battalion stood by, the battalion bombers under 2nd Lieutenant Dummer were called up from the reserve, but they were not after all required, and they spent the night in dugouts close to the battalion right. Enemy bombardment lasted all night. We fortunately had no casualties.
Although the diary states there were no casualties, this can be misleading as it may have been written up a few days later, it could also mean that there were no casualties from the shelling and that William was indeed shot by a sniper. Records today show that William was the only soldier from the battalion to fall on 25 August 1916.
Another Tarporley Boy
Killed in Action.
Pte. William White, who joined the Cheshire Regiment on the 17 February, was killed in action on the 25 August. He was shot through the head. Pte. White was a steady young man, and a great help and support to his parents. Much sympathy is felt for them in their bereavement. A memorial service was held in the parish church on Sunday. Canon Hughes preached. Special hymns were sung, and Mr. W.E. Garner played the “Dead March.”
Chester Chronicle 30 September 1916.