William Henry Lilliman
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William Henry Lilliman was born in 1883 at Staveley and was the son of Henry a coal miner hewer and Hannah Lilliman née Harrison of 143 Blake Street, Mansfield Woodhouse. His father Henry was born in 1857 at Staveley and his mother Hannah Harrison was born in 1858 also at Staveley, they were married on 20th June 1881 and went on to have 21 children, sadly 12 died in infancy or early childhood, their children were, Joseph b1882 Staveley William Henry b1883 Staveley, John b1886 Staveley, Robert b1889 Brimington, Violet b1891 Taplow Thomas b1895 Sheepbridge, Derbyshire, Sarah Ann b1898 Brimington, Derbyshire, Annie Mary b1900 Poolsbrook, Derbyshire, and Henry b1904 Hodthorpe, Derbyshire, William Henry married Florence Wormsley (b. 1883) in 1906 at Mansfield and had the following children: Walter born 6th December 1906, Frederick born 19th September 1909 and Nellie born 10th October 1911. They lived at 145 Blake Street, Mansfield. In the 1911 census he is living at 5 Sherwood Street, Mansfield Woodhouse, he is shown as head of the household, they are shown as, William Henry Lilliman 28 yrs a coal miner, he is living with his wife Florence 29 yrs and their children, Walter 5yrs and Frederick 2 yrs old also living at the address is his brother Joseph and family who are lodging at the address and are shown as Joseph Lilliman 30 yrs a coal miner, he is living with his wife Alice 29 yrs and their children, Joseph 8 yrs a scholar, Robert 7 yrs a scholar, Charlie 3 yrs and Hannah 12 months old. His widow Florence was awarded a pension of 20 shillings and 6 pence a week which commenced on 1st May 1916. ( William's brother, John, married Florence's sister Nellie on the same day).
Private Wiliam Henry Lilliman enlisted on 19th August 1914 aged 26 years and 267 days. He was discharged as unlikely to become an efficient soldier, 'of defective intellect' on 16 October 1914. He later re-enlisted and served with the 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment. He served with the BEF France from 20th July 1915. A report in the Nottingham Evening Post (including photograph), 19 November 1915, recorded that he had been killed by a shell. He is buried in Potijze Burial Ground Cemetery, Belgium (grave ref DI.6). CWGC - History of Potijze Burial Ground Cemetery (extract): The cemetery is north-east of Ieper [Ypres]. 'Potijze was within the Allied lines during practically the whole of the First Word War and although subject to incessant shell fire, Potijze Chateau contained an Advanced Dressing Station. Potijze Burial Ground Cemetery was used from April 1915 to October 1918.' (www.cwgc.org)
Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser, 4 November1915: 'Another Lilliman makes Supreme Sacrifice. Widow and 3 children living at 145 Blake Street, Mansfield Woodhouse.' Four brothers served, Joseph and Robert were also killed. John was discharged as not being able to become an efficient soldier and Thomas was de-mobilised in 1919.
