Name
William King
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
13/08/1917
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
31945
Bedfordshire Regiment
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
MENIN ROAD SOUTH MILITARY CEMETERY
I. T. 26.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin
Pre War
He was born in Hitchin and was residing there when he enlisted in Bedford. His home was at 7, Biggin Lane, Hitchin.
Wartime Service
William was given the Regimental Number 31945. He was already in the Army by September 1914. He was posted to the 7th Battalion of the Regiment and died of wounds in Belgium having been wounded in the leg on the 10th August 1917. He was probably admitted to either No. 48 or No. 21 Casualty Clearing Stations which operated at Ypres.
This probably occurred as a result of an assault on the 10th August 1917 when the 18th Division attacked astride the Menin Road in the Ypres Salient. The 7th Battalion of the Bedfords and the 11th Royal Fusiliers were leading the attack by the 54th Brigade. The 7th Bedfords reached their objective in Glencorse Wood in about half an hour. However, the units on their flanks were held up and the Bedfords had to beat off counterattacks in an awkward salient. The Battalion lost 5 officers and 279 other ranks which was over one third of the Battalion strength.
He was buried in the Menin Road South Cemetery in Belgium in Plot I, Row P, Grave 26.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
