Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Grave: | Barenthal Military Cemetery, Italy | III.A.1 | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.125 | |
Awards & Titles: | |||
Early Life :
Born 3rd child and 1st son of Samuel and Amelia Hore. He had two older sisters: Amelia (b.1884) and Mary Elizabeth (b.1885). During his early life he was resident at Amelia House, Gillingham, but by 1901 and until at least 1911 William is living with family at 93 Rock Avenue, Gillingham, Kent. His father is listed as Principal Writer at the Chatham Naval Dockyard and he is working for the Admiralty.On 11th June of the same year, he married Ethel Sarah.
Ethel and William only ever had one issue, Eileen, born April 1914
Family :
Ethel Sarah (b.1888 -d. )nee Springay of 211, Gillingham Rd., Gillingham, Kent. Following the war, in 1922, Ethel moved to 45 Postley Road, Maidstone, Kent. At this time William's effects were sent on, consisting of a watch & chain, 2 Discs (ID?), Diary, purse, 2 metal rings, knife, letters and photographs. She also received his British War Medal and Victory Medal, having signed for them on the 1st June 1922. Ethel was further awarded a pension of 20 shillings, 5 pence for her and Eileen from the date of the end of the war.Eileen - b.25th April 1914
Education & Career :
His older sister was a Music Teacher and Mary a "Certified Infants Teacher", which is something that must have rubbed off as in 1911 William is recorded as a "Certified Boys Teacher", both working at the "council school" and Education Committee. Just 4 years later, aged 25 he is Headmaster of Tollesbury Council School, Essex.
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 2/1 Honourable Artillery Company |
2/1st Battalion Formed at Finsbury on 2 September 1914. Moved to Belhus Park, going on in November to Blackheath, February 1915 to the Tower of London, August to Richmond Park, November to Wimbledon, January 1916 to Orpington, July to Tadworth (Surrey), and returned to Tower in September 1916. 3 October 1916 : landed at Le Havre and placed under command of 22nd Brigade in 7th Division. November 1917 : moved with Division to Italy. |
| Action : Italy (1914-1918) |
Following the collapse of the Italian Front in late 1917 a number of British Divisions were sent to Italy to support and stabilise the Italian effort. In March 1918, XIV Corps (the 7th, 23rd and 48th Divisions) relieved Italian troops on the front line between Asiago and Canove, the front being held by two divisions with one division in reserve on the plain. The French held the line to the left, with the Italians to the right.
The front was comparatively quiet until the Austrians attacked in force from Grappa to Canove in the Battle of Asiago (15-16 June 1918). The Allied line was penetrated to a depth of about 1,000 metres on 15 June but the lost ground was retaken the next day and the line re-established. Between June and September, frequent successful raids were made on the Austrian trenches.
In October, the 7th and 23rd Divisions were sent to the Treviso area of the River Piave front. The 48th Division, which remained in the mountains as part of the Italian Sixth Army, played an important part in the Battle of Vittorio Veneto (24 October-4 November 1918) in which the Austrians were finally defeated. By late 1918 the danger had passed and many of the British troops returned to the Western Front.
Service record shows that he attested for general service but was not mobilised until 17th April 1917 at which time he was a Private with the HAC. From September 16th, 1917 to the unit joined the British Expeditionary Force in France before moving on to Italy 18th February 1918. For William his service is shown to end 22nd April 1918.
Detail :
William was with in 8th Platoon, 2nd Battalion H.A.C. during his fatal action.
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Colne No. 2477 E.C. | Essex |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
14th December 1915 | 11th January 1916 | 8th February 1916 |
The records of Colne Lodge at the United Grand Lodge of England show that William was "Killed in Action 22nd April 1918". He is one of three soldiers commemorated on a plaque at the Wivenhoe Masonic Temple along with John Houston & William Goodlake Powers
Discrepancies (Require checks, clarity or further research) :
The age recorded at initiation is 25 which puts date of birth at 1890. Did he wish to appear younger than he was?
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley