Main CPGW Record
Surname: BOOCOCK
Forename(s): William
Place of Birth: Barnoldswick, Yorkshire
Service No: 12979
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 9th (Service) Battalion
Division: 17th (Northern) Division
Age: 22
Date of Death: 1916-07-07
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 6 A and 6 B.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: BARNOLDSWICK, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
William Boocock was the son of Moses and Maria Emily Boocock, née Adams. Moses was born at Barnoldswick, Yorkshire and Maria at Earl Stoneham, Suffolk. William was the cousin of Private Jim Ion (22050) (q.v.).
1901 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: Wellington Street - William Boocock, aged 6 years, born Barnoldswick, son of Moses and Marie E. Boocock.
1911 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: 9, Wellington Street - William Boocock, aged 16 years, born Barnoldswick, son of Moses and Maria Emily Boocock.
William was married to Lizzie Bainbridge in 1914. Lizzie married Leonard Parkinson in 1917.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte William Boocock, 12979, W. Rid. R. Theatre of War first served in: (1) France. Date of entry therein: 15.7.15. K. in A. 7.7.16.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte William Boocock, 12979, 9 W. Rid. R. K. in A. 7.7.16.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte William Boocock, 12979, 9th Bn W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: 7.7.16. France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow Sole Legatee - Lizzie. £4 19s. 8d. War Gratuity: Widow Sole Legatee - Mrs Lizzie Parkinson. £8 10s. 0d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for William. Name(s) on card(s): Widow remarried: Mrs Lizzie Parkinson, born 31.8.93. Address: 15, Montrose Terrace, Skipton Road, Barnoldswick, Yorkshire.
William was killed in action during the Battles of the Somme, 1916, 1 July-18 November, at the Battle of Albert, 1916, 1-13 July.
A short biography of William is included in: ‘Barnoldswick – A small Town’s part in conflicts 1800 to 2014’ by Peter Ian Thompson (2014).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
BOOCOCK, W., aged 22 years, West Riding Regiment, 15, Montrose Terrace, [Barnoldswick], killed in action, July 7, 1916.
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Private William BOOCOCK
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 17th (Northern) Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
28 July 1916
BARNOLDSWICK CASUALTY LIST - THE LATE COMPANY-SERGEANT-MAJOR GREEN
The following letter (received too late for publication last week) from a Barnoldswick comrade in the 9th Battalion Duke of Wellington's Regiment, tells how Company-Sergt.-Major Fred Green, who was awarded the D.C.M. last March met his death. The writer is Lance-Corpl. Frank Edmondson:-
"I have just had time to write. I have once more come out of the battle without a scratch. I dare say you will have read all about the great offensive in which we were engaged. I have been very lucky. Sam Woodhead was wounded next to me and three killed. Fred Green was wounded; he got killed by a shell while bringing him (Woodhead) down to the dressing station. W. Dacre and W. Boocock were also wounded, and a lad named Leach (all from Barnoldswick) was killed."
Happily the information in regard to Leach turned out incorrect, for though Sergt. Wm. Leach was officially reported killed, his wife, who resides at 7 Stewart Street, had received a letter from him a day or two previously saying he was at a casualty clearing station, having been struck on the head by a piece of shrapnel "Luckily it did not penetrate the bone. I am going on splendidly, and very soon hope to see you in England."
Sergt. Leach joined the army soon after the outbreak of hostilities. He was a playing member of the Barnoldswick Football Club.
04 August 1916
BARNOLDSWICK MEN MISSING
Pte. Wm. Boocock, 9th Duke of Wellington's, whose wife resides at Montrose Terrace, Barnoldswick, has been officially reported missing since July 1st.
Pte. Thos. Fredk. Theodore, 2nd Duke of Wellington's, eldest son of Mr. F. Theodore, 1, Manchester Road, has also been reported missing since the same date. He went out last September.
16 February 1917
BOOCOCK - Missing since July 7th, 1916, and death presumed on that date in France, Pte. William Boocock, West Riding Regiment, husband of Mrs. Boocock, 15, Montrose Terrace, Barnoldswick, aged 22 years.
16 February 1917
MISSING SINCE JULY - BARNOLDSWICK SOLDIER'S DEATH PRESUMED: PRIVATE WILLIAM BOOCOCK
The Army Council have now notified Mrs. W. Boocock, 15, Montrose Terrace, Barnoldswick, that her husband, Pte. William Boocock, West Riding Regiment, was killed in action on the 7th July last, when he was posted as missing. Enquiries amongst his comrades in the same company, however, fix the date four days earlier during the enemy bombardment at Contalmaison, when a shell burst close to Pte. Boocock and he was never seen again. He was 22 years of age, and son of Mr. Moses Boocock, Rainhall, Barnoldswick. He enlisted in August 1914, and had been at the Front 13 months at the time of his death. He was formerly employed at Messrs. Dewhursts Ltd., Long Ing Shed, as a twister and loomer.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
28 July 1916
THE LATE COMPANY-SERGEANT-MAJOR GREEN
The following letter (received too late for publication last week) from a Barnoldswick comrade in the 9th Battalion Duke of Wellington's Regiment, tells how Company-Sergeant-Major Fred Green, who was awarded the D.C.M. met his death. The writer is Lance-Corporal Frank Edmondson:- "I have just had time to write. I have once more come out of the battle without a scratch. I dare say you will have read all about the great offensive in which we were engaged. I have been very lucky. Sam Woodhead was wounded next to me, and three killed. Fred Green was wounded, he got killed by a shell while bringing him (Woodhead) down to the dressing station. W. Dacre and W. Boocock were also wounded, and a lad named Leach (all from Barnoldswick) was killed."
Happily the information in regard to Leach turned out incorrect, for though Sergt. Wm. Leach was officially reported killed, his wife, who resides at 7 Stewart Street, had received a letter from him a day or two previously saying he was at a casualty clearing station, having been struck on the head by a piece of shrapnel. Luckily it did not penetrate the bone.
"I am going on splendidly and very soon hope to see you in England."
Sergt. Leach joined the army soon after the outbreak of hostilities. He was a playing member of the Barnoldswick Football Club.
04 August 1916
BARNOLDSWICK MEN MISSING
Pte. Wm. Boocock, 9th Duke of Wellington's, whose wife resides at Montrose Terrace, Barnoldswick, has been officially reported missing since July 1st.
Pte. Thos. Frederick Theodore, 2nd Duke of Wellington's, eldest son of Mr. F. Theodore, 1, Manchester Road, has been missing since the same date. He went out last September.
16 February 1917
MISSING SINCE JULY - Barnoldswick Soldier's Death Presumed
The Army Council have now notified Mrs. W. Boocock, 15, Montrose Terrace, Barnoldswick, that her husband, Pte. William Boocock, 9th West Riding Regiment, was killed in action on the 7th July last, when he was posted as missing. Enquiries amongst his comrades in the same company, however, fix the date four days earlier, during the enemy bombardment at Contalmaison, when a shell burst close to Pte. Boocock and he was never seen again. He was 22 years of age, and son of Mr. Moses Boocock, Rainhall, Barnoldswick. He enlisted in August 1914, and had been at the Front 13 months at the time of his death. He was formerly employed at Messrs. Dewhursts Ltd., Long Ing Shed, as a twister and loomer.
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