Military History

William was killed on 19 May 1918 during a sustained enemy Air raid on Etaples and district commencing about 10.30pm and lasting until 1am the following day. At least 27 bombs were dropped on the area which was home to a large concentration of allied military hospitals. In relation to the Life Guards, shortly before midnight on 19th May, two enemy bombs fell into their training camp causing the deaths of 42 men and wounding another 83, of which William of one. The Western Front Association published an article about the Air Road, which can be read here, and it names William as one of the victims. The article describes the raid as being the worst say suffered by the 1st Life Guards during the whole of WW1. The 1st Life Guards war diary entries from the 1st to 20th May is transcribed below, except for the long list of men killed and wounded which includes William.

Etaples - 1 May 1918: Machine Gun training was continued

Etaples - 2 to 3 May: Nothing to report

Etaples - 4 May: Lieut D.A.A. C'eard rejoined Regiment from the Signal Troop

Etaples - 5 to 16 May: Nothing to report

Etaples - 17 May: Under mentioned [following] Officers proceeded to rejoin Regiment under A G's authority (80/6/10 of 11 4 18): Major C Yeatman and Lt F.N Gilbey.

Lt E.D Ogilvie and 178 other ranks joined the regiment from Pirbright.

Etaples - 18 May: Nothing to report

Etaples - 19 May: Air raid over Etaples and district commencing about 10.30pm lasting until 1am 20th [May]. Shortly before midnight two bombs fell in the camp causing the following casualties [not listed here].

Etaples - 20 May: Nothing to report