Military History

William is listed as being killed in action on 22nd December 1916. The 7th Battalion war diary for the period 21st to 23rd is transcribed below.

1916-12-21 - Greece, D sub sector Front Line: Dull at first but brightened up. Artillery start registering of HILL 380 and MAMELON (K2-22) for the operation on 23rd. Enemy registered a barrage with shrapnel and light HE in VLADAJA RAVINE and on the NECK. 4 woolly bears (4.2) fired over Battn HQ. Dispersion of shrapnel 43yds on a depth of 2yds. Between 1700-1730 6HE fired into ST D12. Patrol to HILL 380 heard working and also in RAVINE des JUMEAUX artillery was turned on. 1 OR was wounded and 1 shell shock working on CT to new Battn HQ. 1 OR killed accidentally by being kicked on the head by a mule whilst bringing rations up. Quiet night. Remarks. 4 OR to hospital (3 wounded, 1 accidentally injured).

1916-12-22 - Greece, D sub sector Front Line: Enemy intermittently shelled Battn HQ wounding 2Lt P.H. WILLIAMS and also made a direct hit into D10 killing 1 OR. Working was heard in RAVINE des JUMEAUX artillery was turned on. Otherwise patrols had nothing to report. At 0645hrs a Bulgarian deserter came in by wire in front of SENELLE RAVINE.

A feint was made on MAMELON by 2Lt L.G. HOPKINS and 24 OR the position was heavily bombarded by our artillery the enemy retaliating slightly the party sent forward a patrol to inspect the enemy's wire which they found was cut for 20 yds the enemy was not engaged. The rest of the night was quiet. Remarks. 2 OR killed, 7 OR to hospital, 1 died of wounds.

1916-12-22 - Greece, D sub sector Front Line: Our artillery heavily bombarded HILL 380 and MAMELON, battery being brought up to cut the wire on the former according to the programme followed out during the last 2 days. Was carried out on HILL 380 by D Coy under CAPT CHANCELLOR at the same time a feint was carried out on K2-22 trench by 2LT EASTWOOD and 30 OR. 1 Lewis gun detachment 1 Stokes Mortar team under 2LT LAYTON 78th T.M. BTY. The party raiding 380 left our trenches D2andD4 at 1815hrs and proceeded to rendezvous in GREEN RAVINE at 1838. 1st was No 16 Platoon 2LT HAYTER went forward but owing to artillery barrage being short could not get forward beyond NE edge of GREEN RAVINE - until bombardment lifted. The wave advanced from there at about 1845hrs and entered the work which was found to be practically destroyed and enemy's wire was also completely blown away by our wire cutting battery - 2nd wave No 15 Platoon under 2LT THOMPSON went forward beyond trench this wave came under heavy shell fire and suffered heavily CAPT CHANCELLOR was wounded.