William Henry's Story.
Nantwich Guardian, Friday, May 11, 1917.
Sandbach.
How Private Stockton Died.
The parents of the late Private W. H. Stockton, of Bradwall Road, Sandbach, have received a letter from one of his comrades, giving an account of his death.
The writer (Corporal Arthur Boulton), a youth from Hanley says: “ Your son along with another boy, went out to draw rations and on their return, they were both hit by a sniper about 200 yards from the trench. We heard someone shout “oh my God I am hit, “ and looking over the trench we saw a boy put up his hand. The officer who was in our trench asked for a volunteer to fetch him in, so without delay I jumped over the top and brought in a boy named Winterbottom. After he was dressed, I asked where his mate was, and he said he said he was hit also. Over the top I went again, in search of your son. After looking about for a few minutes, I found your son, but it was no use, he was then on the point of death, I put him on my shoulder and brought him in. He asked me to promise to write and tell you of his downfall just as he was dying. I am keeping my promise now. He died twenty minutes after I got him in the trench on, the 19th of February and was buried the same night. I put a small cross on his grave. He was hit in the head but was quite conscious until death.”
The parents have also received a letter of sympathy from Captain H.W. Stapleton-Cotton.