William's Story.
C.W.G.C. remember a William Gandy with the 6th Bn. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry, Service No 26273, died 5th October 1916 aged 18, on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 12A & 12D, France. Son of Thomas and Sarah Ada Gandy of 11 Hooker St. Castle, Northwich.
Cheshirebmd records the birth of a William Gandy in 1898, Northwich which agrees with his age of 18 years when he died in 1916. The 1911 census has this Gandy family living at 11 Hooker Street, Northwich. Head of the family was Thomas, aged 37, Station Engine-man at the Chemical Works, born Northwich; Sarah Ada, wife aged 39, born Northwich; William, son aged 13, school, born Northwich; Sister Ada aged 7 and John, brother aged 4.
B.M. & Co. Roll of Honour records a William Gandy, at the Winnington Wks., Pte., 3rd Cheshire, K.i.A.
N.A.M.C. have a card for a William Gandy with the Cheshire Regiment No 2920 and Kings Shropshire Light Infantry No 26273, awarded the British and Victory medals with no other data recorded.
13th October 1916, Northwich Guardian PRIVATE W. GANDY.
Official notification as received yesterday that Private William Gandy, the 18 year old son of Mr. and Mrs Gandy, Hooker Street, Northwich, had been killed in action after a few weeks on active service. He was in the Cheshire Regiment. Prior to the war he was in the clerical services of Messrs Brunner, Mond and Co.
20th October 1916, Northwich Guardian KILLED - PRIVATE WILLIAM GANDY
Private William Gandy, a young Castle soldier has been killed after only a few weeks on active service. His parents live at 11 Hooker Street, his father Mr. Thomas Gandy being an employee of Messrs Brunner, Mond and Co., at Winnington. The first intimation which Mr. And Mrs Gandy had of their son having fallen in action was a letter from his company officer, Captain E. Marshall-: “I am sorry to have to tell you that your son was killed early this morning. His death which was instantaneous, came as a great blow to me, for although he had been in my company only a few days, I was very much impressed by his keen , smart upright appearance and expected him to be a great mainstay to the company. With deep sympathy. Lieutenant W. Cullimore, the office in charge of the company to which Private Gandy belonged whilst in training has sent the following letter to the parents:- “It was with deep regret learned of the loss of your son, killed in action. I have known him for nearly two years and he was liked by everybody for his wit and good humour. All his old friends who are now with us were very much upset. It was a great surprise to me to learn that he was at the front after we had transferred him to the Reserve. You have my deepest sympathy in your great loss.
Quartermaster-Sergeant O’Hara’s Tribute.
From Quartermaster-Sergeant O’Hara, son of Sergeant O’Hara of Northwich Police Force, Mr. and Mrs Gandy have received a letter as follows:- “I hope you will pardon the great liberty I am taking in addressing these few lines but I cannot refrain from writing to offer, on behalf of the few remaining boys here of William’s company, our heartfelt sympathy in the great grief which has just befallen you. It appears to be short a time since he took his departure from us but it must be six weeks. From our captain downwards, we were very sorry indeed to lose him, as, by his noble example, he always earned the esteem and good will of everyone with whom he came in contact. He was always respected by the Northwich boys of the company and I am very sure many of these now in – will feel keenly this very great loss. Allow me once again to offer you our sympathy.
An Old Wittonian
Willie Gandy as he was familiarly known to every one in Castle, was a boy of an exceedingly bright and cheerful disposition and he was a favourite with all who knew him. When at school, under Mr. Guy, he was a most promising student and at the age of 11 he gained a county scholarship, which entitled him to four years tuition at Sir John Dean’s Grammar School. On leaving school he entered the employ of Brunner Mond and Co., on the clerical staff in the inspection department. He was in training for over 15 months. He was drafted out to the front about seven weeks ago. He was connected with Castle Church as a scholar in the Sunday School and a member of the Band of Hope Society.
Northwich Guardian 25th October 1918. FOUND DEAD IN BED.
A well known Castle resident, Mr. Thomas Gandy, of Hooker Street, was found dead in bed on Thursday morning. He had worked for many years as a shift man at Winnington. Latterly he had grieved over the death of his son, who was killed in action two years ago. The deceased was about 50 years of age. (Freebmd records the death of a Thomas Gandy in Northwich in 1918 with the age of 44. Cheshirebmd does not record his age. The 1911 census records his age as 37.)
Research Bob Heaton
Northwich Guardian 25th October 1918. FOUND DEAD IN BED.
A well known Castle resident, Mr. Thomas Gandy, of Hooker Street, was found dead in bed on Thursday morning. He had worked for many years as a shift man at Winnington. Latterly he had grieved over the death of his son, who was killed in action two years ago. The deceased was about 50 years of age. (Freebmd records the death of a Thomas Gandy in Northwich in 1918 with the age of 44. Cheshirebmd does not record his age. The 1911 census records his age as 37.)
Research Bob Heaton