William John Shepherd
He was a blacksmith striker
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
William John Shepherd was born on 4th May 1895 at Stapleford he was baptised on 21st July 1896 at Stapleford, he was the son of William Thomas Shepherd a cricketer and his second wife Charlotte Frances Shepherd née Brewer of 45 Laurence Road Stapleford Nottinghamshire.
His father William Thomas was born in 1859 at Stapleford, he married his first wife Annie Eliza Redfern (1864-1890) in 1880 at Nottingham, they went on to have 5 children.
Following his first wife death he went on to remarry Charlotte Frances Brewer born in 1872 at Winchester, they were married on 24th April 1892 at Holy Trinity Church, Bedford, they had the following children, Gertrude Evelyn born 1892, William John born 1896 and Harry George born 1897,
In the 1911 census the family are living at 45 Laurence Street, Stapleford, his mother Charlotte is 39 yrs a domestic nurse is living with her son Harry 13 yrs an errand boy.
Private William John Shepherd, enlisted in Nottingham on 11th August 1914 and served with the R.M.L.I., Portsmouth Battalion, Royal Naval Division, He landed at Dunkirk on 19th September 1914. Leaving the continent on 13th October 1914, he left for the Mediterranean on 28th February 1915. He was killed in action on 3rd May 1915 and is buried in 4th Battalion Parade Ground Cemetery, Gallipoli
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission record his date of death as having taken place on 6th May 1915 – as does the newspaper report. However, it is more likely that he was killed during the charge up Razor-Back hill, Monash Valley, on 3rd May 1915.
Please note that all Portsmouth Bn. casualties recorded by the CWGC as died on the 6th of May 1915 were most likely killed in the charge up Razor-Back hill, Monash Valley, on the 3rd May 1915, but may have been killed at Anzac Beachhead on any date between 28/4/15 & 3/5/15. ; 1914 Star issued to mother 3/12/19.
William John Shepherd
Photograph was published on 17th August 1915 in the Nottingham Evening Post and is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
Wiliam John Shepherd
The commonwealth wargraves commission headstone marking the grave of William John Shepherd in 4th battalion Parade Ground Cemetery and is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918