William Henshaw

William was the son of William and Hannah Henshaw. He was clearly known in the family as 'Bill' as this is the name used on the census records and also on the baptismal record. William (b. abt 1856, Heanor/Langley) and Hannah Sharley (b. Losco, Heanor) were married on 14 July 1877 at St Lawrence's parish church, Heanor. The 1911 census records that they had been married for 33 years and had had 14 children of whom only 10 were still living. Thirteen children were named on the census between 1881 and 1911: Gershon, Betsy, Harriett, Albert, Gertrude, Louisa (d. 1898), Walter, Hannah (d. 1900), Elizabeth Agnes, William (Bill), Thomas, Violet, (d. 1902) and Ernest. With the exception of Elizabeth who was born in Aldecar, Derbyshire, and Ernest who was born in Kirkby in Ashfield, all the children were born in either Heanor or Langley (Langley Mill), Derbyshire. In 1881 William, a coal miner, and his wife were living on Lacey Fields Road, Heanor, with their three children, Gershon (5), Betsy (2) and Harriet (1 month). They were still living in Heanor ten years later in 1891; they now had eight children: Gersham (15), Betsy (13), Harriett (10), Albert (8), Gertrude (6), Louisa (4), Walter (2) and Hannah (4 months). Louisa died in 1898 (J/A/S) aged 11 and Hannah died in 1900 (O/N/D) aged 9. By 1901 the family had moved to 20 Park Street, Kirkby in Ashfield. Recorded in the household with their parents were Albert, Gertrude, Walter, Elizabeth (8), Bill (6), Thomas (3) and Violet (10 months). Violet died the following year (J/F/M). Their eldest son, Gersham, had married Vida Singleton on 10 September 1898 at St Lawrence, Heanor, and had left home. William and Hannah moved house again and in 1911 were living at 4 Mount Street, Mansfield. At home on the night of the census were Walter (miner), Elizabeth (laundry hand), Bill (miner), Thomas (apprentice boot maker) and Ernest (9). Gershon and Vida and their four children were also living in Mansfield at 57 Albion Street. According to the information on the family grave in Mansfield (Nottingham Road) Cemetery, William's brother, Thomas, also died in the war but his war record has not yet been identified. His name has been added to the Mansfield District War Memorial. William's father died on 26 March 1930 aged 74 and his mother on 12 May 1938 aged 80.