Military History

William is listed as being killed in action on 30th July 1916. The 14th Battalion war diary entries for the period 29th to 31st July 1916 are transcribed below.

Pommier Mametz – 29.7.16: Receive orders to take over the line of trenches, road junction S.10.d.8.8 to junction of Duke Street & Piccadilly including A + B & C strong points (ref Longueval 57c SW3).

10pm: March off to take up these positions & arrive in trench are without suffering a single casualty.

Pommier Mametz – 30.7.16: Complete relief by 2am. Patrols sent forward to reconnoitre in view of a proposed attack on German line opposite. Issue attack orders & carry out completing of ammunition, water & supplies to new trenches (see Appendix 3 attached).

6.10pm: The Bn with K.O.S.B’s on right and 51^st Division on left advance to the attack of the enemies first line trench. See appendix 3 & notes on attack in Appendix No 4.

The attack having failed the Battn, in conjunction with 51^st Division & 2 K.O.S.B’s take up, unmolested, the original positions. The Battn advanced to the attack 14 Officers and 454 other ranks. They came out 8 Officers and 280 Other Ranks. The behaviour of all ranks was beyond all praise.

Pommier Mametz – 31.7.16: Battn relieved by 15/R War Rgt & march out to Pommier Redoubt. It is of interest to note that the 14^th, 15^th & 16^th Battalions viz 1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd Birminghams were in the same trenches at the same time as the 16^th Bn of 95^th Brigade had been sent up in support after the attack had failed.