William Guest Hartley
In 1911, he was an assistant, presumably to his father who was a qualified chemist and manager.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
William Guest was the younger son of Joseph Henry and Annie Hartley (née Brown).
His father, Joseph Henry, was born in Kirkburton, Yorkshire, in about 1868, and his mother Annie was born in Otley, Yorkshire, in 1862. They were married in Annie's parish church, Otley All Saints, by Banns in October 1892; Joseph was then living in the parish of Stratford, Essex.
The couple had two sons, Joseph Henry who was born in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, in 1893, and William Guest who was born in Norwich on 10 December 1894 (reg. 1895 January). William was baptised at Walthamstow St Barnabus Essex on 2 March 1913.
Joseph snr. was a chemist and he, and later his family, moved regularly with his work. The family was living at 1 Marine Terrace, Great Yarmouth, in 1901 but by 1911 had moved to 151 Hoxton Street, Shoreditch. Both their sons were now at work, Joseph as a law clerk (solicitors) and William as an assistant, probably to his father whose occupation was given as 'qualified chemist/manager'.
The CWGC records of both Joseph and William note that their father had died, but the year of his death has not yet been traced. Their records give two different addresses for their mother: 91 Canterbury Road, Leyton, on Joseph's record, and 87 Canterbury Road, Leyton, on William's and this is her address on William's war pension record which names her as next of kin.
At the time of Annie's death in March 1937 she was a resident of the Central Home, Leytonstone. She was buried in Chingford Mount Cemetery, Waltham Forest, Greater London, on 27 March.
William served with the Honourable Artillery Company (Infantry), 4952 Private, having previously been with the 1 Bn HAC (TF). He was in theatre with the HAC from 29 March 1916 to 6 July 1917 and was awarded the Military Medal while serving with the 1/1st Bn HAC (Infantry).
William was subsequently commissioned second lieutenant in the Essex Regiment (gazetted 9 July 1917) and served with the 9th (Service) Battalion, a Battalion of Kitchener's New Armies (K1). The Battalion had been in France since 31 May 1915.
In August 1918 the Battalion was heavily engaged in the Second Battle of the Somme during the 'Advance to Victory'. William died of wounds on 8 August 1918 and is buried in Montigny Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme (grave ref. A6).
Monigny Communal Cemetery Extension: The village of Montigny (or Montigny-sur-I'Hallue) is 15 kilometres from the town of Amiens. The Extension is on the west side of the Communal Cemetery and has 19 First World War Commonwealth burials and three German war graves. (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC Additional information: 'Son of Annie Hartley, of 87, Canterbury Rd., Leyton, Essex, and the late Joseph Henry Hartley.'
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'And he led them all through the night in a light of fire' This is probably a reference to Exodus 13:21-22 (KJV)
His brother Joseph Henry served in the 10th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (107 Private) and was killed in action on 15 July 1916 aged 23. He is buried in Pozieres British Cemetery, Ovillers-La Boiselle, France (grave ref. III.C.34).
CWGC Additional information [Joseph Henry]: Son of Annie Hartley, of 91, Canterbury Rd., Leyton, London, and the late Joseph Henry Hartley.
CWGC headstone personal inscription [Joseph Henry]: 'It is thou Lord only that makest me dwell in safety' (Psalm 4:8)
Photo of William Guest Hartley
Montigny Communal Cemetery Extension (www.cwgc.org)