Name
William Thomas Brace
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
04/09/1917
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
265898
Kent Cyclist Bn.
1st/1st
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War Medal
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
DALHOUSIE MILITARY CEMETERY
Plot 5. Grave 16.
India
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Christchurch Memorial, Little Heath, Potters Bar, Little Heath & Bentley Heath Memorial, Potters Bar, All Souls Chapel Book of Remembrance, Potters Bar, Not on the North Mymms memorials
Pre War
Born in Little Heath, 9 Feb 1890. In the 1911 census he was a gardener living with his parents Thomas and Annie Brace and six siblings in Thornton Road, Little Heath. His father Thomas b. 1851 in Buntingford was a Carman at a nursery, Mother Annie b. 1860, we can presume that they were still living there in the 1920s as their details are shown on the War Graves entry, in 1901. William had 8 siblings all born in Little Heath.
Wartime Service
Attested 10 Feb 1915 at Canterbury in the 2/1st Kent Cyclist Battalion and given service number TF/1753. At Kingsnorth Camp in September 1915. Posted to the 1/1st Kent Cyclist Battalion 27 November 1915. On 2 December 1915 the battalion moved to Chisledon Camp, Swindon, Wiltshire, was reorganised as an infantry battalion and sailed for India on 8 February 1916 heading for Bangalore. Moved in December 1916 to Burhan, Punjab. In February 1917 William's Brigade transferred to the 16th Indian Division and between the 4th March and the15th April the battalion served as part of the North Waziristan Field Force fighting local uprisings in that area. Spent 19 June -3 July 1917 in hospital at Bannu, North West Frontier with food poisoning. Died from malaria 4 September 1917. Given service number 265898 when Territorial Forces were renumbered in March 1917.
Additional Information
Son of Thomas and Annie Maria Brace, of Little Heath, Potters Bar. Herts.
Acknowledgments
Martin Cope, Mike Allen
