William Henry Horrobin
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William Henry was the only son of William and Ethel Horrobin (née Emmett). His father William was born in Sandiacre, Derbyshire, in 1873 and his mother Ethel Emmett was born in Radford, Nottingham, in 1871. They were married at Sandiacre St Giles in 1894 (reg. A/M/J) and had two children who were both born in Sandiacre, William Henry b. 1894 (O/N/D) and Ethel May b. 1896. In 1901 William, a railway engine stoker, and Ellen, were living on Bridge Street, Sandiacre, with their two children William (6) and Ethel (4). Also in the household were Ellen's widowed father, George Emmett (58) and her unmarried brothers John, a cotton mill worker, and Ernest, a general labourer. By 1911 the family was living at 33 Derby Road, Stapleford. John Emmett, a lace maker, was still living with his sister and brother-in-law. At the time William attested in 1914 the family home was at 148 Derby Road, Sandiacre, and his parents, sister and uncle, John Emmett, were still living at the same address in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled. Ellen died in 1951 and Willilam in 1955.
9th Bn King's Royal Rifle Corps William enlisted in the King's Royal Rifle Corps on a Short Service Attestation (Duration of War) on 10 November 1914. He was 20 years 2 months old. He joined at Winchester on 14 November 1914 and trained at Southend from 24 November to 21 May 1915 and at Belhus Park from 21 May 1915 to 12 August 1915. He was posted to the BEF France on 13 August 1915, serving with the 9th Bn King's Royal Rifle Corps. William was killed in action 12 months later on 24 August 1916 having served for 1 year 261 days. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France (Pier and Face 13 A and 13 B). He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Additional Research by David Nunn Nottingham Evening Post, 26 September 1916, photograph with caption: 'Rfn WH Horrobin (KRR), 148, Derby-rd., Stapleford, killed in action Aug. 24, aged 21.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 24 August 1917: ‘Horrobin. In loving memory of our dear son, William Henry Horrobin, KRR, of Stapleford, killed in action August 24th, 1916. Never be forgotten. Mother, father and sister.’ (www.british newspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his mother Ellen was his sole legatee
