William Oscar Hooley
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William Oscar Hooley was the son of Oscar and Ada Hooley (née Osborne). His birth was registered as Oscar Hooley, he was baptised Oscar and the 1891/1901 census recorded his name as Oscar. However, miltary records, including the 1911 Census, have his first name as William and family notices of his death show that by then he was known as William. His father Oscar was born in 1864 in Draycott, Derbyshire, the son of John and Mary Hooley (née Moore m. 1863). He had two brothers, Oswald (b. 1866) and Octavius Oliver (b. 1870) and there was also a sister, Emmeline Moore, who was born in 1861. Oscar's father died before 1871 and his widow had moved to Nottingham by 1881. William's mother, Ada Osborne, was born in Basford, Nottingham, in 1866. Oscar and Ada were married at Hyson Green St Paul in March 1884 and had at least three children who were born in Hyson Green: Ellen Mary b. 1884, Oscar birth registered 1889 (J/F/M) and Hilda May b. 1903. Oscar was baptised at Hyson Green St Stephen on 27 October 1897; 'son of Oscar and Ada, 41 Gauntley Street.' Oscar, a brass winder (lace trade), Ada and their two children Ellen and Oscar, were living on Sullivan Street, Radford, at the time of the 1891 Census. The family had moved to 41 Gauntley Street, Hyson Green, by 1897 when Oscar was baptised and were still at the same address in 1901. Oscar snr. had no occupation and was described on the census as 'paralytic,' his wife Ada was working as a winder (lace trade) as was their daughter Ellen while Oscar was still at school. A second daughter, Hilda May, was born two years later in 1903. Oscar snr. died in May 1904 aged 40. The widowed Ada and her daughter Hilda were living at 14 Plimsoll Street, Hyson Green, in 1911. Ellen Mary had married George Harrison, a bricklayer, in 1910 and they were living in Carlton, Nottingham. William Oscar had joined the King's Royal Light Infantry and was serving with the 1st Battalion in Hong Kong. The military census gave his trade as carpenter. Ada Hooley continued to live at 14 Plimsoll Street until her death in January 1926. William married Dorothy Mary Sharp on 22 August 1918 while on home leave from France. The CWGC record gave his widow's address as 51 Gauntley Street, Hyson Green.
A regular soldier, William Oscar Hooley served with the 1st Bn King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, before the war. in 1911 he was serving with the Battalion in Hong Kong (rank Private). The 1st Battalion was in Singapore on the outbreak of war but returned to England, landing at Southampton on 9 November 1914. It came under command of 83rd Brigade 28th Division in the December and joined the BEF France on 15 January 1915. In October 1915 the Battalion transferred to Salonika, arriving in early December. In June 1918 the Battalion left the Division and moved to France, transferring to 151st Brigade 50th (Northumbrian) Division the same month. The Division was involved in the Battle of the St Quentin Canal (29 September), Battle of the Beaurevoir Line (3 October), Battle of Cambrai (27 September-11 October), the pursuit to the Selle (9-10 October), the Battle of the Selle (17-25 October), and the Battle of Valenciennes (28 October-2 November). William had home leave in August 1918 when he married Dorothy Mary Sharp by special licence. William died in a military hospital on 2 November 1918 from wounds received in action (date not known); he had also contracted pneumonia which may have been as a result of his injuries or as a consequence of influenza. He was buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen (grave ref. S. II. BB. 7). Awarded the Military Medal [1] and Bar [2]: [1] 'London Gazette,' 17th June 1919. [2] 'London Gazette,' 20th August 1919. He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of St Sever Cemetery Extension (extract): 'During the First World War, Commonwealth camps and hospitals were stationed on the southern outskirts of Rouen. A base supply depot and the 3rd Echelon of General Headquarters were also established in the city. Almost all of the hospitals at Rouen remained there for practically the whole of the war. They included eight general, five stationary, one British Red Cross and one labour hospital, and No. 2 Convalescent Depot. A number of the dead from these hospitals were buried in other cemeteries, but the great majority were taken to the city cemetery of St. Sever. In September 1916, it was found necessary to begin an extension, where the last burial took place in April 1920.' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC Additional information: 'Son of Oscar and Ada Hooley, of Nottingham; husband of Dorothy Mary Hooley, of 51, Gauntley St., Hyson Green, Nottingham.' CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Thy Will be Done' Basford Cemetery: Charles and Alice Sharp. ‘Also to the memory of Sergt. Oscar Hooley son in law of Alice Sharp died of wounds in France November 2nd 1918.’ Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Marriages,’ 22 August 1918: ‘Hooley-Sharp. On August 22nd by special licence, Sergt. William Oscar Hooley, of the 1st KOYLI, only son of Mrs and the late Mr O Hooley, to Dorothy Mary Sharp, only daughter of Mr and Mrs Sharp, both of this city.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour', 6/7/8/9 November 1918: 'Hooley. Died on November 2nd, at military hospital, Sergt. W. Hooley, M.M., K.O.Y.L.I., from the effects of wounds and pneumonia. God will link the broken chain closer when we meet again. – From his broken-hearted wife Dorothy.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour,’ 8&9 November 1918: 'Hooley. On November 2nd, at military hospital, Sgt W Hooley, after eleven years’ service in the KOLYLI died of wounds. Dearly loved and sadly missed by mother and sister Hilda.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour,’ 8&9 November 1918: 'Hooley. In loving and honoured memory of our dear brother, Sergt. William Oscar Holey MM, KOLYLI, who died from effects of wounds and pneumonia November 2nd. The trumpets blew, and the angels received him on the other side. Ellie [Ellen Mary] and George [Harrison].’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his widow Dorothy was his sole legatee.
