Name
William Thomas Anthony
28 Mar 1880
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
04/06/1915
34
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Stoker 1st Class
291205
Royal Navy
(RFR/CH/B/7864) Howe Bn. Royal Naval Division
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HELLES MEMORIAL
Panel 1 and 2.
Turkey (including Gallipoli)
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Letchworth Town Memorial
Pre War
William Thomas Anthony was born on 28 Mar 1880 (baptised 18 Sep 1881 at St James’, Norlands, Kensington, Middx.) at Notting Hill, to Thomas Anthony, bricklayer, and Harriet (nee Markham), the family were living at 47, Catherine Street.
On the 1881 Census the family of parents and William were living at Southbrook Street, Fulham, London.
On the 1891 Census family of parents, William, Charles (born 1883), Richard (born 1885), Thomas (born 1887) and Edwin (born 1890) were living at Craven Cottages, Fulham, Middx.
On the 1901 Census William was recorded at Grand Harbour, Valetta, Malta as a stoker in the Royal Navy. His family of parents, Charles (bricklayer’s labourer), Richard (a shop boy), Vera (born 1892) Edith (born 1895) and Nelson (born 1898) were living at 41, Crescent Street, Kensington.
On the 1911 Census William’s parents, with Vera (a general servant), Nelson and Edwin (born 1900) were living at 41, Crescent Street, Kensington.
William married Ada Eleanora Cox as St Paul’s, Norlands, Middx., London on 16 Jul 1911. They were living at 41, Crescent Street, Kensington.
William later lived at 34 Schott Lane, Letchworth Garden City.
Wartime Service
William was recalled from Reserve on 2 Aug 1914. and was posted to Howe Battalion Royal Naval Division. The Royal Navy had realised that with serving seamen and returning reservists it had so many personnel that it used the surplus to create Battalions of seamen to fight as Infantry. William was allocated to Howe Battalion , 2nd Battalion as Stoker C/174 (later 4th Platoon, 'A' Company) of the Royal Naval Division on 17 Sep 1914. The 2nd Brigade was deployed to Dunkirk on 5 Oct 1914 to assist the Belgian Army. The sailors were ill equipped with obsolete rifles and little kit including no Khaki uniforms. There were also no ancillary units such as Artillery, Medical Services etc., they returned to England, arriving 11 Oct 1914.
They were re-equipped and were deployed to Gallipoli, landing at Cape Helles on 25-26 Apr 1915 were they took part in 1st Battle of Krithia, (28 Apr), Eski Hissarlik (1 – 2 May), 2nd Battle of Krithia, (6 – 8 May), 3rd Battle of Krithia (4 Jun). It was in this last action that William was killed in action, his remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.
Naval Records have William listed as "W. Athoney" in Sub.Lt. John Norman's Roll of 28 Other Ranks of 4th Platoon, 'A' Company, Howe Battalion, aboard "No.17 Boat" dated late April/early May 1915
Additional Information
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Dan Hill, Janet Capstick, Jonty Wild
