William Henry Theaker
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William Henry Theaker was born in 1882 at Newark and was the son of the late Harry and Emma Theaker of Barnby Gate, Newark. William married his wife Ada Bloor on 7th June 1909 at Holy Trinity Church at Chesterfield, they went on to have a son William born in Chesterfield and baptised at Holy Trinity Church, Chesterfield on 4th November 1912 In the 1911 census the family are living at Thornfield Cottage, Sheffield Road, Stonegravels, Chesterfield and are shown as William 29 yrs a postman, he is living with his wife Ada 22 yrs and their son Harry 1 year of age.
Private William Henry Theaker enlisted on 21st November 1899 at Lincoln, he was 18 yrs and 1 month old and was a labourer, he was posted to the Lincolnshire Regiment. He served three tours in South Africa, the first being 27th November 1900 until the 28th December 1900, the second 6th January 1902 until the 2nd June 1902 and finally 3rd February 1903 until 2nd April 1904. After each tour of South Africa he returned to England. he was promoted to Lance Corporal on 21st January 1904 On the 5th August 1914 he was mobilised for war in Lincoln, on 10th September he was promoted to Corporal. He suffered a bout of influenza during 1915 and suffered from tuberculosis and on 22nd December 1915 appeared before a medical board, which found him to be no longer fit for military service. He was discharged from the Army on 29th January 1916. He had served in the Army for 16 yrs and 70 days. He died on 7th July 1916 and is buried in Newark Cemetery.
