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William John WILLIAMSON

Main CPGW Record

Surname: WILLIAMSON

Forename(s): William John

Place of Birth: Westminster, Middlesex

Service No: 266267

Rank: Private

Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Battalion / Unit: 10th (Service) Battalion

Division: 23rd Division

Age: 29

Date of Death: 1917-10-01

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: XXXI. F. 23.

CWGC Cemetery: NEW IRISH FARM CEMETERY

CWGC Memorial: ---

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: EARBY, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

William John Williamson was the son of James and Mary Elizabeth Williamson, née Gore and brother of Private James Stanley Williamson (266257) (q.v.) and Private Sydney George Williamson (42948) (q.v.). Their father was born in Scotland and mother at Paddington, Middlesex.

1891 Westminster, London Census: 42, Ponsonby Place - William J. Williamson, aged 2 years, born Westminster, son of James and Mary E. Williamson.

1901 Paddington, London Census: 6, Adpar Street - William J. Williamson, aged 12 years, born London, Westminster. [William was living with his grandfather, William Gore.]

1911 Eccleston, Chorley, Lancashire Census: Parr Lane - William John Williamson, aged 22 years, born London, Westminster, son of Mary Elizabeth Williamson, widow.

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte W. G. [sic] Williamson, 3570, W. Rid. R. Theatre of War first served in: (1) France. Date of entry therein: 29.6.15. K. in A. 1.10.17. (266267).

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte William J. Williamson, 266267, W. Rid. R.

British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte William John Williamson, 266267, 1/6 W. Rid. R.; 10 W. Rid. R. K. in A. 1.10.17.

Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte William John Williamson, 266267, 10th Bn W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: 1.10.17. Belgium. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Mother and Sole Legatee - Mary E. £18 0s. 11d.

UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for William. Named on card(s): Mother - Mary Elizabeth. Sister - Agnes Clara. Sister - Lilian Mary. Address: 42, Skipton Road, Earby, Yorks.

See also:
‘Earby in the First World War’ by Stephanie Carter, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2014).
‘Guiseley Terriers: A Small Part in The Great War – A History of the 1/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment’ by Stephen Barber (2018).
‘Our Finest Crop’ by Steven Marshall, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2020).

Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry

View Entry in CPGW Book

Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:

WILLIAMSON, Wm. J., aged 29, West Riding Regiment, 42, Skipton Road, [Earby], died of wounds Oct. 1, 1917.

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Private William John WILLIAMSON

Private William John WILLIAMSON

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 23rd Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 23rd Division

Data from Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 - 1919 Records

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: WILLIAMSON

Forename(s): William John

Born:

Residence: Earby, Yorks

Enlisted: Skipton

Number: 266267

Rank: Private

Regiment: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)

Battalion: 10th Battalion

Decorations:

Died Date: 01/10/17

Died How: Killed in action

Theatre of War: France & Flanders

Notes:

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

CWGC Data for Soldier Records

Surname: WILLIAMSON

Forename(s): W J

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Service Number: 266267

Rank: Private

Regiment: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)

Unit: 10th Bn.

Age: 29

Awards:

Died Date: 01/10/1917

Additional Information: Son of Mary E. Williamson, of 21, Albion St., Earby, Colne, Lancs., and the late James Williamson. Native of London.

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War Diary of the 1/6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)

19 DECEMBER 1915

3570, Pte Williamson, W.J. Gassed and wounded.

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ROLL CALL OF THE SKIPTON DIVISION LIBERAL & CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATIONS, August 4th 1914 - August 4th 1916

ROLL CALL OF THE SKIPTON DIVISION LIBERAL & CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATIONS, August 4th 1914 - August 4th 1916

Entry on Page 39

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Craven Herald and Wensleydale Standard Logo

16 November 1917

WILLIAMSON – October 1st 1917, killed in action on the Western Front, Private William J. Williamson, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, son of Mrs. Williamson, 42, Skipton Road, Earby, aged 29 years.

16 November 1917

EARBY FAMILIES BEREAVED – One Son Killed, Another Missing

News of the death of two more Early soldiers came to hand last weekend. In the case of Private William J. Williamson, a stretcher-bearer in the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, who is officially reported killed in action on October 1st, the blow has fallen all the heavier by reason of the fact that his brother, Private Sydney Geo. Williamson, K.O.Y.L.I., was reported missing on April 9th, since when no tidings have been heard of him. They are the sons of Mrs. Williamson, widow, residing at 42, Skipton Road, Earby, who has another son fighting on the Western Front. The first mentioned was 29 years of age and single. Before joining the Army he was a warehouseman employed by the Earby Co-operative Society. A letter from one of his comrades (Pte. J. W. Atkinson, M.M., of Skipton) dated October 3rd states that Pte. Williamson was rather badly wounded by a German shell while in a dugout.

“He got a wound about the size of half-a-crown just over the heart, but we hope he is in good old England now making a speedy recovery. He was a stretcher-bearer along with me, and I am very sorry to lose such a good pal. He was a good willing worker whose one thought on the battlefield was to get his wounded comrades away to a place of safety. He had got over the push safe and sound, but his Company was called into the line again, so he had to go with them.”

Following the above letter, Mrs. Williamson received no further news until the announcement of her son’s death.

29 March 1918

EARBY WIDOW’S SACRIFICE – Three Sons in 12 Months

The sad news came to hand last weekend in a letter from an Army Chaplain in France, of the death from wounds of Private James Stanley Williamson, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, which look place in the 3rd Canadian Hospital on March 17th. He was 23 years of age, and the second son of Mrs. Williamson, 42 Skipton Road, Earby, who has had two other sons killed within twelve months. These were: Private Sydney George Williamson, K.O.Y.L.I. (20), killed April 9th 1917, and Private William James Williamson (29), Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, killed October lst 1917. They were all unmarried.

Private James S. Williamson enlisted in the early days of the war and had spent nearly three years in France. The family received a letter from him dated only two days prior to his death, which was due to gunshot wounds in the back, right leg and a fractured arm. He was formerly employed by Messrs. B. W. Hartley, Brook Shed, and was connected with All Saints’ Church, where the Rector (Rev. J. F. Tanfield) made sympathetic reference to the family’s sad loss on Sunday evening.

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West Yorkshire Pioneer Logo

16 November 1917

WILLIAMSON – Oct. 1st, from wounds received in action, Pte. William J. Williamson, stretcher-bearer, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, son of Mrs. Williamson. of 42, Skipton Road, Earby, aged 29.

16 November 1917

EARBY FAMILIES BEREAVED

One Son Killed – Another Missing

News of the death of two more Earby soldiers came to hand last week-end. In the case of Pte. William J. Williamson, a stretcher-bearer in the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, who is officially reported killed in action on Oct. 1st., the blow has fallen all the heavier by reason of the fact that his brother, Pte. Sydney George Williamson, K.O.Y.L.I., was reported missing on April 9th, since when no tidings have been heard of him. They are the sons of Mrs. Williamson, a widow, residing at 42, Skipton Road, Earby, who has another son fighting on the Western front. The first mentioned, was 29 years of age and single. Before joining the army he was a warehouseman employed by the Earby Co-operative Society. A letter from one of his comrades (Pte. J.W. Atkinson, of Skipton), dated Oct. 3rd, states that Pte. Williamson was rather badly wounded by a German shell while in a dug-out. “He got a wound about the size of half-a-crown just over the heart; but we all hope he is in good old England now, making a speedy recovery. He was a stretcher-bearer along with me, and I am very sorry to lose such a good pal. He was a good, willing worker, whose one thought on the battlefield was to get his wounded comrades away to a place of safety… He had got over the push safe and sound, but his company was called into the line again, so he had to go with them.” Following the above letter, Mrs. Williamson received no further news until the announcement of her son’s death.

22 February 1918

EARBY FAMILY’S SECOND BEREAVEMENT

Mrs. Williamson, 42, Skipton Road, Earby, has received an Official intimation confirming the death of her son, Pte. Sydney George Williamson, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, who had previously been reported missing since April 9th last year. He was 20 years of age, and went out to France just before Christmas, 1916. Prior to joining the army he was in the employ of Mr. Joseph Foulds, Brook Shed, Earby. This is the second bereavement the family has sustained during the war, Pte. Wm. J. Williamson having been killed in October last, while another brother (James) is still at the front.

28 February 1918

CRAVEN AND THE WAR

Earby Widow’s Sacrifice

The sad news came to hand last weekend in a letter from an army chaplain in France, of the death from wounds of Private James Stanley Williamson, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, which took place in the 3rd Canadian Hospital on March 17th. He was 23 years of age and the second son of Mrs. Williamson, 42, Skipton Road, Earby, who has had two other sons killed within twelve months. These were Private Sydney George Williamson, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (20), killed April 9th, 1917, and Private William James [John] Williamson (29), Duke of Wellington’s, Regiment, killed October 1st, 1917. They were all unmarried. Private James S. Williamson enlisted in the early days of the war and had spent nearly three years in France. The family received a letter from him dated only two days prior to his death, which was due to gunshot wounds in the back, right leg and a fractured arm. He was formerly employed by Messrs. B. W. Hartley, Brook Shed, and was connected with All Saints’ Church, where the Rector (Rev. J. F. Tanfield) made sympathetic reference to the family’s sad loss on Sunday evening.

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