William Henry Hird
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
A local couple to Clayworth and area, Hindley Hird and Louisa Harriet Chambers married in 1893. Hindley was a road worker for the local County Council. They had eight children born in Clayworth, William Henry born 1895, John Hnidley 1896, Frank 1898, George 1900, Benjamin 1904, Arthur 1907, Ivy born in 1909 and Robert born 1913. By 1911, the two eldest boys were working, John Hindley Hird as a 14 year old farm worker and William Henry Hird, who was now living away from home, at age 16 was employed as a cowman on Joseph Denman’s farm and resident in the Castle Inn at Torksey. Hindley Hird, their father, died in 1914 at the age of 41 so did not live to see the outcome of his two eldest sons who fought in the oncoming war. Their mother Louisa, re-married in 1918 to Joseph Hunter at Retford.
William was attested for the Territorial Force, Notts and Derbys 8th Battalion for 4 years UK service on the 20th October 1914. He further signed an agreement to serve outside the UK. He was 19 years old and also declared he had previously been refused entry to the Grenadiers due to shingles but was declared fit on the 20th October at his medical at Worksop. He was drafted to France with his battalion on 2nd March 1915. On the 14th June 1915 he received a gunshot to the head causing a fractured skull and died 10 days later on 24th June. He is buried in the Bailluel Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France. His personal effects of photos, purse, pipe, pouch, mirror and letters, were sent to his mother before the end of the year.
CWG additional information:- Son of Hindley and Louisa Harriett Hird, of Clayworth, Retford, Notts. Brother John Hindley Hird was also killed 29 Jan 1915. Research by Colin Dannatt
