William Gosling
- Family History
- Military History
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William Rollins Gosling was born in 1888 at Sparkhill, Birmingham, and was the son of son of Charles, a warehouse cashier, and Sarah Jane Gosling (née Morris) of 363 Berridge Road, Nottingham. His father Charles was born in 1857 at Sparkhill and his mother Sarah Jane Morris was born in 1857 at Ross on Wye. They were married on 20th October 1885 at Yardley, and went on to have the following children who were all born in Sparkenhill: Frederick Royston b1886, William Rollins b1888, Herbert Charles b1891 and Elsie Kate b1893. William Gosling married Rose Ann Foulkes (b. 11th August 1887) in 1912 (registered Nottingham); they lived at 3 Hunt Street, Nottingham. His widow was awarded a pension of 11 shillings a week which commenced on 20th February 1917. His widow later remarried (Gilliatt) and lived at 104 Port Arthur Road, Nottingham.
William Gosling enlisted in Nottingham and served with the 1/7th battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment. He landed in France on 25th February 1915 and was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916. Initially reported missing, his death was not confirmed until June the following year. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.
Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour', 25 June 1917: ‘Gosling. Missing July 1st, 1916, now reported killed, Sergt. WR Gosling, Sherwood Foresters, second dearly loved son of Mr and Mrs Chas. Gosling, Nottingham.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour', 25 June 1917: ‘Gosling. Missing July 1st, 1916, now reported killed, Sergt. WR Gosling, Sherwood Foresters, late 74, Holborn-avenue, Sneinton Dale. From his sorrowing wife.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
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