William Edward Radford
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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William Edward was the eldest son of Joseph and Amelia Radford (née Allen). Joseph Radford was born in 1859 at Mansfield and Amelia in 1852 at Dinnington, Yorkshire. They were married at Dinnington in December 1882 and had seven children, two of whom died in childhood: William Edward b. 1883, John Henry b. 1883, Joseph b. 1886, James Alfred b. 1888 d. 1890, Samuel b. 1890, James Alfred b.1892 d. 1893 and Charlie b. 1893. All the children were born in Mansfield. Joseph, a brewer's drayman, Amelia and their five surviving sons, William an iron moulder, John a labourer, Joseph a brewery labourer and Samuel and Charlie who were both school age, were living in Ram Yard, Church Street, Mansfield. By 1911, Joseph, a brewery wagoner, and Amelia were living at 15 Littleworth, Mansfield, with three of their sons, Joseph a stoker, Sam a tailor, and Charlie who was out of work. John has not yet been traced on the 1911 Census. William Edward had married Elizabeth Ann S. [Sheldon] Doxey in 1908 (reg. Mansfield). His wife was born at Middleton by Wirksworth, Derbyshire, in 1888; her birth was registered as Elizabeth Ann Sheldon (mother's maiden name Sheldon). The couple had six children who were born in Mansfield: Beatrice Amelia b. 1908, Gladys May b. 1909, Joseph b. 1910, Emma b. 1912, William Edward b. 1915 (reg. 1916) and Jack b. 1918. Five of the six birth registrations gave the mother's maiden name as Sheldon. William, a pit sinker (mining), Elizabeth and their three children, Beatrice, Gladys and Joseph, were living at 4 Radcliffe Avenue, Askern Road, Bentley, Yorkshire, in 1911. However, the family had returned to live in Mansfield by the following year when the fourth child, Emma, was born. A notice of William's death in the local paper gave his address as Second Avenue, [White City], Rainworth, Mansfield, and this was entered on a Registers of Soldiers' Effects record as the place of death. William's widow married George Longley (b. 1877) in 1919 (reg. Basford) and they had at least two children, Arthur (b. 1924) and George (b. 1926). It is likely that at the time of the 1921 Census only Beatrice, Gladys, Joseph, Emma and Jack were living with their mother and stepfather, George Arthur Longley. The CWGC record gives Elizabeth's address as 39 Gilbert Street, Hucknall, Nottingham. Elizabeth and her husband George (b. 1877), a public works contractor's labourer, were living at Brookside, Hucknall, in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled. Also in the household was her son Jack, a colliery haulage driver (underground) and their sons Arthur, also a colliery haulage driver, and George who was still at school. The record of one other member of the household remains closed. Elizabeth Longley died in 1947 (reg. Mansfield).
14th Anti-Aircraft Company, Royal Garrison Artillery. William attested on a short service engagement (7 years with the Colours, 5 years in the Reserve) on 14 February 1901. He was 18 years old and employed as a moulder. He was posted to the Royal Artillery (14768 Gunner, RFA) and joined at Newport, Monmouthshire, on 19 February. However, he was discharged on 8 March 1901 after serving only 23 days 'having been claimed as an apprentice.' He was recorded on the 1901 Census living with his parents in Mansfield. William enlisted on 12 May 1915 ('Duration of War') and joined the Royal Field Artillery where his postings included 34 Divisional Ammunition Column, 188 Brigade, and 34 DAG. William served with the BEF France, embarking Southampton on 11 January 1916 and disembarking Le Havre the following day. He was awarded a period of leave 'with ration allowance' from 18 July 1917 to 28 July 1917. On 23 November 1917 William was admitted to No. 104 Field Ambulance having suffered a fractured (left) fibula in an accident. He was treated at No. 24 General Hospital before being transferred to the UK (AT Ville de Liege). The incident which resulted in his injury was investigated and confirmed to have been an accident. There is no evidence that William served overseas again. On 7 June 1918 William was posted to No. 13 Reserve Battery RFA. However, Medical Boards at Catterick and Larkhill later that month placed him in Class III and on 21 June 1918 he was compulsorily transferred from 13 Reserve Battery to the RGA 'at Artillery rates of pay under conditions of ACI 2084/16' and posted to the Central London anti-aircraft defences. Notwithstanding the posting to an anti-aircraft battery, William was transferred to Army Reserve Class 'P' on 31 July 1918. There is a record that he was awarded a pension which was payable to 5 November 1918 when, presumably, it would have been reassessed. William was on home leave pending discharge from the army when he died on 31 July 1918 of pulmonary congestion. This may have been as a consequence of being gassed while on active service. William was buried in Mansfield (Nottingham Road), Mansfield (grave ref. C.18306). He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Gone but not forgotten' CWGC Additional information: 'Son of Joseph Radford; husband of Elizabeth Anne Longley (formerly Radford), of 39, Gilbert St., Hucknall, Nottingham. Born at Littleworth, Mansfield.' Mansfield Reporter, ‘Deaths,’ 2 August 1918: On the 31st ult. William Edward Radford, Second-avenue, Rainworth, Mansfield, aged 34 years.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: two records, both naming his widow, Elizabeth, as his legatee, but one giving place of death as 10 Second Avenue, White City, Rainworth, Mansfield, and the other that he died 'whilst on leave pending discharge.' His widow Elizabeth Ann was awarded a pension of 42 shillings and 1 pence a day commencing 3 February 1919.
