Name
William Albert Sapsford
2 October 1894
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
10/08/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
77773
Royal Field Artillery
28th Bty. 9th Bde.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LIGNY-ST. FLOCHEL BRITISH CEMETERY, AVERDOINGT
II. B. 3.
France
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Bishop's Stortford memorials
Pre War
William Albert Sapsford was born on 2 October 1894 in Takeley, Essex, the son of Thomas James and Caroline Sapsford. He was baptised at Holy Trinity, Takeley on 25 November 1894. On the 1901 Census, the family were living at Mill End, Takeley. His mother was the head of the household as his father Is listed as serving as a Stoker in the Royal Navy on HMS Pomone. By the 1911 Census his mother had moved to Station Road, Stansted, Essex and William was working as a farm labourer.
Wartime Service
He served in France from 15 August 1914 and moved to Mesopotamia in 1915, then Palestine in 1917. He returned to France, sailing from Alexandria on 4 April 1918 on the transport ship Kingstonian which was torpedoed. Guns and equipment were lost, but the men were rescued and they landed at Marseilles on 12 April. He died during the Battle of Amiens.
Additional Information
His mother Caroline received a war gratuity of £23 10s and pay owing of £12 0s 11d.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
