260891 Pnr. William James Matcham Royal Engineers 330th Road Construction Company from:Ashford Kent (d.25th Feb 1917) William Matcham was born in 1857 to grocery shop owners Stephen and Ann Matcham in Thowley Faversham, Kent. He was baptised on 25 Jan 1857 at Throwley Parish Church. In 1871, at age 14, he was a scholar and boarder at Holly Cottage, Sandgate. Afterward, he remained in Sandgate, living with relatives, until, at the age of 28 in 1885, he married Frances Jennings in Faversham, Kent. He became a journeyman butcher and had three daughters with Frances: Constance Mabel, Selena Annie, and Louisa Ellen. In 1911, he became a newsagent and was living with wife and daughters at Sand Pitt cottage, Charing Ashford, Kent. His wife died in 1912 and is buried at the same churchyard as William.
He enlisted in the military at Canterbury, date unknown. He joined the Royal Engineers and was with the 330th Road Construction Company at the time of his death.
On 25th Feb 1917, he died from some form of illness at a home in Thanet, Kent, possibly his daughter’s home. No war medals were located, and his daughters shared his war gratuity between them, each one receiving £1 7s 3p. He is buried at St. Mary's Church in Little Chart, Kent which is now just a ruin. His grave stands out among the old graves and ruins.
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