Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | Hem Farm Military Cemetery, Hem-Monacu | I. I. 13. | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.135 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 56A GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | |||
Education & Career :
Solicitor
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 6th Battalion London Regiment (City of London Rifles) |
1/6th (City of London) Battalion (Rifles) August 1914 : at Farringdon Road. Part of 2nd London Brigade, 1st London Division. Moved on mobilisation to Bisley, going on in September to Crowborough. 5 November 1914 : moved to Watford and transferred to 4th London Brigade in 2nd London Division. 18 March 1915 : landed at Le Havre. 11 May 1915 : formation renamed 140th Brigade in 47th (2nd London) Division. 31 January 1918 : transferred to 174th Brigade in 58th (2/1st London) Division, absorbed the disbanded 2/6th Bn and renamed 6th Bn. |
| Action : The Second Battles of Arras 1918 |
26 August - 3 September 1918. In a replica of the experience on the Somme which was happening concurrently a few miles further south, the old battlefields around Arras, so bitterly fought over in 1917 were taken and the Germans challenged on the Hindenburg Line. The Drocourt-Queant sector, which had proven such an obstacle in previous years was taken by the 3rd September and with the Hindenburg line broken in the sector the advance was again possible.
Detail :
SOULSBY, William Dobson, 2/Lieutenant, 1/6 London Regiment (City of London Rifles) He was a Solicitor and aged 23 at his Initiation on the 9th January 1912; Passed 13th February 1912 and Raised on the 9th April, 1912. He was a Steward of the Lodge in 1913, Organist in 1915 and was Junior Deacon of his Lodge from 1917. He was killed in action on the 31st August 1918 and is buried in Hem Farm Military Cemetery, Hem-Monacu, France, Grave Reference I.I.13. An extract from the Lodge Minutes dated 10th September 1918 'The Worshipful Master referred in suling terms to the death of Bro. W.D. Soulsby, JD on active service. WBro Mason proposed and WBro T.C. Healley seconded that a letter of condolence be sent to the widow and son of the late Bro W.D. Soulsby, JD.' A Memorial Service was held by the Lodge at the Zion U.M. Church, Waterloo Road, Blyth on Sunday 15th September 1918 for him and a copy of the service was attached to the Lodge Minutes. The Dress was Dark Morning, White Ties and Gloves. A Memorial Plaque is in the hall of Blyth Masonic Temple and his name appears on the Blyth War Memorial.
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Waterloo No. 3438 E.C. | Northumberland |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
9th January 1912 | 13th February 1912 | 9th April 1912 |
Junior Deacon
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