William Gill
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William was born at Newington,Misson in 1898 the son of Walter Charles and Elizabeth Gill, of "Hawks Nest," Scrooby Rd., Bawtry, Yorks.He was baptised as Misson parish church. In the 1911 census the family are shown as living at South Parade,Bawtry he has 7 siblings. Prior to the war he was learning the trade of plumber and sanitary engineer. Sapper Gill was a fine tall boy looking older than his years. When at Newington he attended Austerfield Church and afterwards sang in the choir at St Nicholas at Bawtry. He was unmarried and left his parents and 3 younger brothers and four sisters surviving. 15 of his cousins served during the 'Great War'
At the outbreak of the war he was only 16 years of age and he was at once eager to join up but was too young to do so. On 25th June 1915 being only 17 years of age he enlisted into a battalion of Royal Engineers the being raised at Doncaster and consisted of men recruited from the surrounding district. After enlistment he was trained at Doncaster,Rushmore camp and other places. He left Southampton on 3rd June 1916 and arrived at Le Harve on the 4th and was at Colone by the 9th. He was killed in action by a piece of shrapnel on 27th June 1916 (that day being his fathers birthday) and was buried in the British Military Cemetery at Colone the next day. The following is an extract of a letter received by his parents from his comrade A Ramsbottom No 1 Section 231 Field Company Royal Engineers B E F France 28/06/1916 :- Dear madam, It is with great regret that I write you on behalf of the comrades of your son W Gill.He was a good soldier,always happy and well liked amongst the boys.We made him a coffin and buried him in the cemetery in the rear of the lines.This feared accident occurred in the night of the 27th, the enemy were heavily bombarding our lines when a portion of shell struck your son in the chest, death was practically instantaneous. He died with a smile on his face and I can assure you that the sympathies of the whole section go out to you in this bereavement. I am on behalf of the section Yours Sincerely A Ramsbottom. The family also received a letter from Lt Winter Nicholson of Bawtry who was himself later killed. :- Dear Mr Gill, It was only yesterday that I heard the news about poor Willie, I now write to offer Mrs Gill, yourself and family my sympathies in your loss.You probably know that the companies have not been together for some considerable time and that we don't come across each other very frequently. The last time I saw Willie was at least a month ago and thought what a big fine man he was making.He was only young I know it will be hard blow for you all to bear , but you will always be glad to know that Willie gave his life for England in a cause worth fighting for. With kindest regards to Mrs Gill and yourself. I am sincerely Winter Nicholson. Sapper Wm Gill Retford Times 14 July 1916 The death of this brave young soldier was announced last week. He was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs W C Gill, South Parade, Bawtry. He joined the forces in October 1915. Previous to enlistment he was employed as a plumber by Mr Channon of Bawtry. He was barely 18 years of age when he joined the Royal Engineers
He us buried in Loos British Cemetery
