William Alfred Hemstock
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William was born in 1896 in Stapleford and was the son of Fred a farm labourer and his wife Phoebe. In the 1911 census - the family are living at Welby, Melton Mowbray Leics and are shown as - Fred Hemstock, head, 46; Phoebe F, wife, 43; William A, son, 15 Farm Labourer, Arthur E, son, 13; George W, son, 11; Fanny Irene, daur, 8; Soldiers effects register shows - Mother sole legatee - Phoebe - awarded £3-11s-7d - 6/1/1916 £3-10s-0d - 22/7/1919 war gratuity. AFW 5070 sent 24 May 1919 (army family form) Property sent to Phoebe Florence Hemstock, mother living at Hoton Mill. Letters, Cigarette case, prayer book (plus other unreadable items)
William Hemstock enlisted as a Special Reservist in the Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) on 8 August 1914. He was lsited as 18 years 263 days of age and 5 feet 5 inches in height. He was a farm labourer. He was sent to 4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion for his training. He was posted to 1st battalion in France on 18 January 1915, arriving with the battalion on 22nd as part of a draft of 50 other ranks. He survived the horrors of Neuve Chapelle and the Battle of Aubers. On 25 September 1915 the battalion had two companies, 'A' and 'B' in the front line with 'C' and 'D' in the reserve trenches, some 300 yards to the rear. The plan had been to clear a salient occupied by the enemy but it was obvious it was held in force. From 6.am until midday, the Germans shelled the battalion positions with High Explosives. Only eight casualties were recorded owing to the thickness of the dugouts and parapet. William was one of these casualties and the only one killed. He is buried in Rue-David Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix.(note CWGC have him as dying on 9/8/1915 but their own grave registration document and Soldiers effects records show 25/9/1915. A report has been sent to CWGC)
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