Name
William Waltho (DCM)
1899
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/09/1918
18
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
203393
Bedfordshire Regiment
4th Bn.
'B' Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Distinguished Conduct Medal
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BUCQUOY ROAD CEMETERY, FICHEUX
IV. B. 1.
France
Headstone Inscription
He has no family inscription on his Headstone.
UK & Other Memorials
London Colney Village Memorial, London Colney Roll of Honour, In memory of the fallen of Hertsmonceux Parish Plaque
Pre War
William WALTHO was born in Five Ashes, Sussex, in the early part of 1899, son of John Waltho a Gamekeeper and Elizabeth Hannah Waltho (nee Buckley). One of their eighteen children although two died in infancy. His parent was married in 1876, in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire.
He was Baptised on 5th February 1899, in the Parish of Mayfield, Sussex.
1901 Census records William aged 2, living with his parents, five sisters and brother George (3), at 1 Meers Cottage, Five Ashes, Sussex.
1911 census, Willam aged 12, is at school, living with his parents, and four sisters Florence (11), Constance (9), Laura (7) and Freda May (5) still at Meers Cottage, Five Ashes, his cousin Cyril Waltho (5), was staying with the family on the night of the census.
His parents later moved to Studdens Farm, Herstmonceux, Hailsham, Sussex.
At the time of his enlistment it is believed he was living with his brother John Waltho and his family at Hawthorn Villa, London Colney, Herts.
Wartime Service
William enlisted in London, 1915, posted to the City of London Regiment, issued with the service No. 4178, later 371840. It is not known when William was sent to France. We believe William was buried alive and seriously injured when a shell hit his trench, he was discharged medically unfit for war service in 1916. He later re-enlisting in the Bedfordshire Regiment with the service No. 203393.
William died on 27th September 1918, aged 19, of wounds received in action. At the time he was serving with “B” Company, 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. He is buried in Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, France. Grave Ref: IV. B. 1. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) posthumously, on 5th December 1918.
His citation reads as follows:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When the company was held up by machine-gun fire and snipers this NCO in charge of a platoon pushed forward under very heavy fire and placed in position the Lewis gun under his command. The whole of his team was wounded, but he organised another team and kept the gun in action. It was then found that the right flank was not supported, and he personally went about five hundred yards under fire in an endeavour to gain touch. His bearing during the whole operation was excellent, and his example encouraged the fighting spirit of his men”
Additional Information
His mother Elizabeth Waltho was awarded a Dependents Pension of 5/- a week from 8th April 1919.
His effects of £11-17s-05d, pay owing was split between his mother Elizabeth £1-17s-07d, and £9-19s-10, to Elsie Hill, his war gratuity of £12, went to his mother Elizabeth.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild
