William Edward Barsby
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William Edward was the son of Daniel and Alice Barsby (nee Chapman). His father Daniel was born in Leicestershire (1874 J/F/M Blaby Leicestershire) and his mother Alice in Kilby, Leicestershire. They were married in 1898 (A/M/J Blaby) and according to the census completed by Daniel in 1911 they had five children who were all living at the time of the census. However, only four children were named on the census of 1901 and 1911: William Edward b. 23 March 1899 (J/F/M Blaby), Harold Cecil b. 4 February 1901 (J/F/M Blaby), Charlotte Gertrude (Lottie) b. 13 February 1902 (O/N/D Blaby) and David Wilfred/Wilfrid b. 16 August 1907 (J/A/S Blaby). All four children were born in Kilby. In 1901 Daniel (29) a limestone quarryman, and Alice (33) were living on Main Street, Kilby, with their two sons, William Edward (2) and Harold (2 months). By 1911 the family was living in Foston, Leicstershire, where Daniel was working as a cowman. Three children were at home on the night of the census: Harold (10), Lottie (8) and David (3). William Edward (12), who was still at school, was in Kilby at the home of his unmarried uncle, Amos Chapman (60), a farm labourer. The family moved to Nottingham in late 1911 and lived at 84 Upper Regent Street, Beeston. William's mother, Alice, died on 14 January 1926 aged 57 and his father, Daniel, on 3 March 1956 aged 82. Of his siblings: Harold married Grace Aley in 1924 (A/M/J Melton Mowbray Leicestershire) and died on 10 July 1976 (September Nottingham). Charlotte Gertrude married John R Kew in 1931 (J/A/S Basford) and died at the age of 90 in 1993 (February Chesterfield Derbyshire). David Wilfred died aged 71 in 1978 (December Derby).
Previous unit (30192) 51/Grad. Bn. Leicestershire Regiment. The 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment was garrisoned in Bermuda at the outbreak of the Great War. The Battalion was recalled and arrived in France in November 1914. Their first major action was at Neuve Chapelle in March 1915. William enlisted in January 1917 when he was 18 years old. After training Private Barsby was in a draft of men sent to the front in France in April 1917 to replace the terrible losses which had occurred in 1916. He was soon in the thick of action being part of the battalion's Lewis Gun Section. Private Barsby was captured and taken prisoner during the German Spring Offensive in March 1918 and eventually imprisoned in Germany. It was there that he succumbed to illness and died of pneumonia, the 39th member of the Beeston Old Boys to die in the war. He was buried in the Givet German Cemetery but as the grave could not be found after the war his name was commemorated on special memorials at the Sedan-Torcy French National Cemetery, Ardennes. William qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his father was his legatee. Inscription on headstone, family grave Beeston Cemetery, Nottingham: ‘In loving memory of Alice beloved wife of Daniel Barsby died Jan. 14th 1926 aged 57 years. Peace after pain. And William Edward died Prisoner of War aged 19 years. Also Daniel Barsby husband of above died March 3rd 1956 in his 83rd year. Reunited.’ Inscription on separate urn: ‘J Robert Avery died Jan 10th 1926 aged 20 years. R James Avery died April 17th 1936 aged 56 years.’ (John Robert Avery b. 1906 and father Robert James Avery. In 1911 the Avery family lived at 86 Lower Regent Street Beeston).
