William Aram
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William, known as Billy, was the eldest of the three sons of William and Elizabeth Aram of Meadow Lane, Chilwell. William (b. Chilwell) and Elizabeth (b. Great Bridge, Staffordshire) had four children of whom three survived: William b. 1888 (O/N/D Shardlow), John Edward b. 22 February 1890 (J/F/M Shardlow) and Harry (possibly Thomas Harry b. 1899 O/N/D Shardlow). All three boys were born in Chilwell. In 1891 William senior (31) a factory labourer, and Elizabeth (34) were living on Meadow Lane, Chilwell, with their two sons, William (2) and John E. (1). They were still living on the same road in 1901. William senior was now working as a lace bobbin presser while his son William (12) was working half-time as a gardener. John (11) was still at school and the youngest boy, Harry, was just one year old. The family was still living on Meadow Lane in 1911. William senior was employed as a road man for the local council. William junior (22) was working locally as a nurseryman while his younger brother John (21) was a card puncher in a lace factory. The youngest brother, Harry (11), was still at school. William junior married Dorothy Critchley in 1916 (J/F/M Basford); they lived at 39 Dagmar Grove, Beeston. William's youngest brother, Harry, joined the Army on 4 May 1915 (3878, 2/8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters) claiming to be 18 years old. He served for 179 days before being discharged on 29 October the same year 'in consequence of being under 17 years of age at date of application IAW para 392 (6a)'. A Thomas Harry Aram b. abt 1899 died at the age of 68 in 1967 (December Nottingham). No evidence has been yet found that John Edward served in the war. He married Edith Marshall in 1912 (J/F/M Shardlow) and there is a record of a John Edward Aram b. 22 February 1890 who died in 1973 (death registered March Basford) aged 83 (cremation 11 January 1973). William Aram senior died on 11 November 1939 aged 75. His wife Elizabeth predeceased him. William's widow Dorothy married Lancelot N Stevenson in 1940 (O/N/D Basford).
On 20th October 1916 William Aram enlisted in the Army, was posted to the Leicestershire Regiment, and on 29th November embarked for India to join the 2nd Battalion at Raniket India as part of the Garhwal Brigade Meerut Division. On the outbreak of hostilities most of Britain's 52 battalions stationed in India and Burma were recalled for service on the Western Front. However, Private Aram arrived in Bombay in March 1917 as part of subsequent reinforcements in India and remained there until November 1917 when he was transferred to Mesopotamian (Iraq) as part of reinforcements. He arrived at Kut on the 17th November 1917 but a week later reported sick with a cough and was put on board the 'sick convoy steamer' PS58 for Baghdad. By then he had developed a temperature of 102°. He died of heart failure due to pneumonia at 10am on 28th November while still on board PS58. He was buried in Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery. He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
William's widow received a pension of 20s 5d per week for herself and one child. She married Lancelot Stevenson in 1940 and died in July 1987 aged 92. Family grave, Beeston and Stapleford Cemetery, Wollaton Road, Beeston, Nottingham. Inscription on headstone: Headstone:’Elizabeth beloved wife of William Aram died Feb. 2(-) (-) aged (-) years. Though lost to sight to memory dear. Also the above named William died Nov. 11th 1939 aged 75 years. Reunited.' Inscription on urn: ‘Billy Aram. Buried at Bagdad (sic) Nov 28th 1917’ Registers of Soldiers' Effects: William's widow, Dorothy, was his legatee.
