William Eric Cash
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William Eric was the son of John William Cash and his first wife, Hannah Mary nee Sheldon. John William Cash was born in Duffield, Derbyshire, on 27 May 1867, the son of Rowland Cash. Hannah Mary Sheldon was born in Holbrook, Derbyshire, the daughter of Thomas Sheldon, a baker, and his wife Elizabeth of Holbrook, Derbyshire. She was baptised in the parish church of Holbrook in February 1868. John William and Hannah Mary were married in Holbrook parish church on 24 August 1892. They had three sons, Thomas b. July 1893, bap. August 1893 (d. 1896), John Reynolds b. 1897, bap. July 1897, and William Eric b. 1899 (O/N/D Belper). The children were born in Duffield, Derbyshire. In 1901 John William, a farmer, and his wife were living at Flaxholme, Derby Road, Duffield, with their two surviving sons John (3) and William (1). John employed three servants, Lillie Hampson a general domestic servant, Albert Short a horseman and Claude Deville a cattleman. Hannah Mary Cash died on 26 July 1909 (reg. Belper) aged 42. The family - John William, John and William - were still living at Flaxholme in 1911; John employed a housekeeper, Iley des Forges. John married secondly Elizabeth Hill (b. 1877) in 1919 (reg. Basford). In 1939 they were living at The Laurels, Flaxholme, Duffield, Derbyshire; John had retired from farming. He died on 11 June 1940 and his widow Elizabeth died in 1958; she was still living at The Laurels. William's brother, John Reynolds, served in the 1/6th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (3691 Private) and died of wounds on 21 November 1916. (See 'Extra information')
11th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers John was killed in action 27/28 May 1918, death presumed 27 May 1918 (his father's birthday). He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial, France. CWGC - History of Soissons Memorial (extract): 'The original British Expeditionary Force crossed the Aisne in August 1914 a few kilometres west of Soissons, and re-crossed it in September a few kilometres east. For the next three and a half years, this part of the front was held by French forces and the city remained within the range of German artillery. At the end of April 1918, five divisions of Commonwealth forces (IX Corps) were posted to the French 6th Army in this sector to rest and refit following the German offensives on the Somme and Lys. Here, at the end of May, they found themselves facing the overwhelming German attack which, despite fierce opposition, pushed the Allies back across the Aisne to the Marne. Having suffered 15,000 fatal casualties, IX Corps was withdrawn from this front in early July, but was replaced by XXII Corps, who took part in the Allied counter attack that had driven back the Germans by early August and recovered the lost ground. The Soissons Memorial commemorates almost 4,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom forces who died during the Battles of the Aisne and the Marne in 1918 and who have no known grave.' (www.cwgc.org)
William's brother, John Reynolds, served in the 1/6th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (3691 Private) and died of wounds at the 7th Canadian General Hospital, France, on 21 November 1916. He is buried in Etaples Cemetery; personal inscription on CWGC headstone, 'Faithful unto death'. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: William's father John was his legatee. Probate: Cash Hannah Mary of Flaxholme Duffield Derbyshire (wife of John William Cash) died 26 July 1909 Probate Derby 30 September to the said John William Cash farmer and Samuel Sheldon collector of taxes. Effects £997 14s. 3d. Probate: Cash John Reynolds of Flaxholme Duffield Derbyshire private 6th battalion Seaforth Highlanders died 21 November 1916 at 7th Canadian General Hospital France on active service Administration Derby 7 March to John William Cash farmer. Effects £118 16s. 1d. Probate: Cash William Eric of Flaxholme Duffield Derbyshire private Lancashire Fusileris died on or since 27 May 1918 in France on active service Administration Derby 14 January to John William Cash farmer. Effects £280. Probate: Cash John William of Duffield Derbyshire died 11 June 1940 at Flaxholme Duffield Probate London 5 August to Elizabeth Cash widow and Donald Albert Stevenson Cash solicitor. Effects £11465 0s. 8d.
