Name
William Freeman Button
13 Oct 1894
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/05/1917
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
15250
Bedfordshire Regiment
C Coy. 6th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ARRAS MEMORIAL
Bay 5.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Wheathampstead Village Memorial, Not on the Harpenden memorials
Pre War
William Freeman was born on 13 Oct 1894 in Belgravia, London (baptised 30 Dec 1894 at St Pauls, Knightsbridge) to George Henry Button a coachman, and Agnes Mary (nee Turfrey). The family lived in Roberts Mews, Hanover Square.
On the 1901 Census William and his parents were living at Roberts Mews together with George (born 1891), James (born 1893) Eleanor (born 1897) and Winifred (born 1899). By 1911 William was working as a footman at Hadres Court, Canterbury. His family of parents, George, James, Eleanor, Winifred, Archie (born 1901)and Kathleen (born 1905) were still living at Roberts Mews. His mother & father later lived at Old Reasons, Harpenden.
Wartime Service
William enlisted as Private 15250 in the Bedfordshire Regiment and following his training went to France on 12 May 1915.
No Service Record was found for William. He was at some time transferred to ‘C’ Company 6th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment who were involved in the 1st and 2nd Battles of the Scarpe, part of the Arras Offensive. On the night of the 26/27 May 1917 a raid on the enemy trenches was initiated in order to capture a prisoner/prisoners and investigate a line of shell holes held by enemy. This was foiled as the raid encountered the covering group for the large number of Germans occupied in laying wire in front of the shell holes and a skirmish developed, resulting in casualties on both sides. Casualties taken by the Bedfords were 1 Officer, 3 men wounded, 3 men killed. William was presumed to have died In this action.
His remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the Arras Memorial.
Additional Information
War Gratuity £12 10s and arrears of £14 1s 4d paid to his father.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild, Roll of Honour.com/Hertfordshire/Wheathampstead,
