Name
William Rhodes
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
02/08/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
27864
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 31 and 33.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield In Memoriam Book
Pre War
William was the son of William (senior) and Harriet Rhodes, born about 1879.
In the 1881 Census: William was living with parents and siblings in Bitteswell, Leicestershire. His was a domestic gardener. In 1891 they recorded as living in the gardener’s cottage, Bitteswell. Where William (senior) was still a gardener. By 1901 William was 22, had left home and was in service, working as a domestic footman at 15 Grosvenor Sq., London for Ralp and Susan Vivian. He was still a domestic footman, but now at 16 Carlton Terrace, London. The head of the household is Lord Mountstephen (Lord Cowdray). There are 17 servants in the household.
Officially recorded as born in Bitteswell, Leicester and was living in Hatfield, Herts when he enlisted in Bedford.
Wartime Service
William enlisted and became Private 27863, 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, and was killed in action in Belgium August 2nd, 1917.
The War Diary for period when he died reads:
1 Aug 1917 - trenches near Stirling Castle At 5.45 a.m. Lt. Colonel C.H.de.St.P. Bunbury [Charles Hamilton De St. Pierre BUNBURY] carried out a personal reconnaissance and found dispositions of Companies to be as follows: - "A" and "D" Coys in JACKDAW RESERVE nr STIRLING CASTLE. "C" Coy about 300 yards behind them in trench running N. and S. between JACKDAW AVENUE and JAM AVENUE. "B" Coy could not be found, but were discovered later in the day to be occupying a trench about 50 yards behind "C" Company. They thereupon moved up and relieved "D" Company who withdrew and came into Battalion Reserve occupying trenches near Bn. Headquarters. 2nd Lt.C.H. Shaw [Charles Henry SHAW] Died from wounds. 2nd Lt.T.J. PEMBERTON - Wounded. 4 p.m. Orders received to relieve 17th BN.K.L.R. in front line 7 p.m. Commanding Officer after conferring with O.C. 17th Bn. K.L.R. decided that it would be impossible to carry out this relief owing to the Marshy State of the Ground. Warning Order received that Battalion would have to carry out an attack in about 2 days time on same lines as that ordered on 31.7.17.
2 Aug 1917 Battalion in same disposition at 12 noon. Major R.O.Wynne D.S.O. [Richard Own WYNNE, DSO] assumed Command of Battalion owing to indisposition of Commanding Officer. At 1 p.m. Code Message received that Brigade expected to be relieved that Night at 3 p.m. Verbal confirmation of above received. At 7 p.m. Guides under 2/Lieut C. Shekbury [Cecil SHEKURY, MC] left for DORMY HOUSE
3 Aug 1917 - Micmac Camp At 2 a.m. 12th Bn. Middlesex Regt arrived to relieve the Battalion. relief completed by 5 a.m. On relief the Battalion withdrew to CHATEAU SEGARD Area No.2. At 6.15 p.m. Battalion left for MICMAC Camp arriving about 7 p.m. Casualties for these Operations: - 2nd Lieut.C.H. Shaw [Charles Henry SHAW] Died of Wounds. 2nd Lieut.T.J. PEMBERTON Wounded Other Ranks: - Killed 14 Missing 3 Wounded 50 (1 Self-inflicted) Shell Shock 6 Gassed 2 TOTAL 75
Awarded Victory Medal & British War Medal.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk), www.bedfordregiment.org.uk
