241354 Pte. William Warford British Army 5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment from:Chew Stoke (d.13th June 1917) I have two postcards written in 1907 to my paternal grandmother, Kate Barrow, from her brother, William Warford, of Chew Stoke, Somerset.
I knew she had two sisters but was unaware of her brother.
In researching William I discovered he was born in 1882 in Chew Stoke but I was unable to find a record of his death. The 1891 census showed William, age 8, was in Chew Stoke. In 1901 he was a house servant at Axbridge, and in 1911, now aged 28, he was a labourer back in Chew Stoke. In 1915 he married Victoria Grant at Axbridge, Somerset.
For many years I could not find more information about him.
When Military Records and Army Casualties WW1 became available on line I
entered his name and was astonished at the information on the screen.
William Warford, was killed in action 13th of June 1917 in France, Flanders. Enlisted Taunton. Private in 5th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment Nr,19330. Formerly 25872 Somerset Light Infantry.
His grave is in Lindenhoek Chalet Military Cemetery in Belgium.
His war gratuity was paid to his widow and sole heir Victoria in 1919.
I have never found his name on any war memorial.
The 5th Battalion was in action at Messines Ridge in May and June 1917.
Maybe my grandmother's brother was at the Battle at Messines.
All this because of postcards he wrote in 1907, and has been kept in the
family for 100 years.
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