William Harold's Story.
Address 369 High Street, Winsford
William was the son of Mr Phillip and Sarah Bolt, of Sutton Lane, Middlewich, Phillip was a gardener at the Manor Middlewich for 18 years. Prior to that he had held a similar position for 25 years at Over Hall under Captain Turner.
William was born in Over, Winsford, and the 1911 census has him as one of 9 children these where Phillip John (35) married to Florence Edith Lily (32), Sarah (33), Joseph (29), Violet (27), Lalia Primrose (24), George Frederick (22), Robert Sydney (22), Cecila Muriel (14) and Philis Lily Judd (8).
In 1912 he married Frances Done in Runcorn, who was the daughter of Richard and Eliza Done of 307 High Street, Winsford, so it appears that he moved to Runcorn following work and took Frances with him. It is stated they had two children, these being Kathleen born in 1915 and Violet born in 1917.
He was a boilermaker and employed at the Weston Point Works of the Salt Union, but immediately prior to joining up he was engaged in electrical work.
He entered the army in May 1918 with the Cheshires enlisting in Runcorn, Service No 67868. However, after going to France, in September he was drafted into the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry. His wife who appears to have moved back to Winsford, had received a field card from him to say that he was wounded and in hospital.
However, she then received a letter from the matron that said
“ I am awfully sorry to have to write and tell you that your husband passed away at one o’clock this morning. He was badly wounded in the abdomen and the groin and never really had much chance, although everything possible was done for him. He will be buried near here”.
It is reported that he was in D company of the 2nd Battalion, 15 platoon.
Wiiliam also had two brothers in the forces, Phillip in the Lancashire Fusiliers Reg No 34969 and later the Labour Corps, and another brother in the R.A.M.C.
It was reported that Frances had 4 brothers in the forces, one died, William who was married to Florence Sandbach in 1907, Ches Reg No 18940,
His wife remarried in 1920 to a Richard C Weedall, who died in 1953, Florence died in 1970.
William is commemorated on the cenotaph in Winsford town center and the Middlewich War memorial.
He is buried at Grevilliers British Cemetery which is just outside Bapaume. Grave XV D15
William's brother in law, William Done also fell. He can be found here.
Complied By Graeme Ainsworth