Lives of the First World War

August 1918

Details taken from The Nuneaton Chronicle. William joined the 12th Warwicks in 1915 and in 1916 transferred to the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry as Sergeant. In 1917 he received the DCM for 'bravery in the field'. He then had the choice of either a commission or transfer to the Royal Flying Corps. He chose the RFC and went to France as an observer. He received the DFM and had the prospect of a Flying Officers commission. He was engaged in a 'cloud fight' in 1918 and was wounded. He was treated at a private hospital in Chichester for wounds to his back and his left foot was amputated. He died from his wounds. After his funeral 3000 members of the public lined the route to the cemetery. The cortege was led by a choir and his coffin draped in the Union Flag was carried on an aeroplane lorry pulled by airmen

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