Name
Andrew Williamson
12 October 1893
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/06/1916
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
16511
Bedfordshire Regiment
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CARNOY MILITARY CEMETERY
J. 26.
France
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Kimpton Village Memorial,
St Peter & St Paul Church, Kimpton
Pre War
Andrew James Williamson was born in Walthamstow, Essex on 12 October 1893, the son of James William and Jane Stewart Williams (nee Douglas) who had married in Liverpool in 1890. He was one of three children and was baptised on 5 November 1893 at St James, Walthamstow.
His father died in 1899 and on the 1901 Census the family were living at Kimpton where his widowed mother was the Publican of the Goat Beerhouse, High Street, Kimpton.
They remained in Kimpton in 1911 and Andrew along with older brother Stewart and younger brother Douglas were living in Church Lane, Kimpton, with their mother and two lodgers. No occupation is given for Andrew.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Hertford and joined the Bedfordshire Regiment, serving with the 7th Battalion in France from 26 July 1915. The Battalion left from Folkestone on board the S S Onward and arrived at Boulogne sur Mer.
They were soon in action in September in the area of Becordel and Fricourt, south of Albert, Somme.
Andrew was killed in action on 26 June 1916 when the Battalion were in the area of Carnoy, and there was heavy enemy artillery bombardment resulting in many casualties. He is buried in Carnoy Military Cemetery, France.
Additional Information
His mother received a war gratuity of £8 and his pay owing of £3 8s 0d was divided between his mother and brother Stuart. The proportion of his pay which should have been paid to his other brother Douglas was given to his mother at Douglas' request. His mother also received a pension of 5 shillings a week.
Brother Douglas Williamson served with the Hertfordshire Regiment as Private 2924.
Andrew is also commemorated on a family headstone in St. Peter & St. Paul Churchyard, Kimpton. and Andrew's inscription simply reads:
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
(the inscription names five family members including)
(the inscription names five family members including)
THEIR SON ANDREW KILLED IN FRANCE 26TH JUN. 1916, AGED 22.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Adrian Pitts, www.bedfordregiment.org.uk
