William Hugh Thornhill
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William Hugh was born in 1897 the son of Isaac a tailor and Emily Hinde Thornhill (néé Barnes). They had three other children Isaac b.1896, Emily May b.1901 and Constance Barnes b.1903. In 1911, they lived at 55-57 High Road, Beeston. William and Isaac were boarders at a boys’s school in Ockbrook.
William Hugh Thornhill enlisted with his brother Isaac 5/12/1914 and they were given consecutive service numbers. William landed in France on 19th May 1915 and was killed in action on 30th July 1915. His brother Isaac was wounded by his brother's side. Their photographs were published together on 14th September 1915. William's body was never identified and his name is commemorated on the Menin Gate. His age is recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as 19 years. (Census returns suggest his actual age was 17/18.)
Isaac Thornhill was evacuated to England for treatment at a Norfolk Hospital and was discharged as the result of his wounds on 2nd September 1916. He survived the war. Menin Gate, Panels 51 to 53
