William Edwin Key
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- Military History
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William Edwin Key was born in 1890 in Basford and was the son of William Key a dyers labourer and Mary Key. His father William was born in 1851 in Winthorpe, his mother Mary was born in 1862 in Whatton, they were married in C1880. They went on to have 8 children , however sadly two died in infancy, their surviving children were : Florence b1881 Basford, George b1884 Ellen b1886 Basford, William Edwin b1890 Basford, Fred b1893 Basford and Mary Elizabeth b1905 Basford. In the 1911 census the family are living at 69 Vernon Road, Old Basford, Nottingham and are shown as William 60 yrs a dyer, head of the family he is living with his wife Mary 48 yrs and their children Ellen 25 yrs a cigarette packer, Fred 18 yrs a butchers assistant, Mary Elizabeth 6 yrs a scholar, also living with them is their granddaughter Doris Mary 1 yr and 2 boarders Jacob Clifford 25 yrs single a coal miner and Hannah Smith 23 yrs a cigarette packer. In the same census William Edwin Key has moved out of the family home, he is living at 15 Hockley, Nottingham , he is 21 yrs , single and a butchers carter, he is boarding at the address with George Fred Wingman 28 yrs a pork butcher, also living at the address are two maids Sarah Kirk 20 yrs and Elizabeth Hickton 22 yrs. In 1913 William Edwin married Jessie Barnes (born 12th April 1891) in Nottingham, they went on to have a daughter Kathleen Mary born 3rd January 1914 in Nottingham the family lived at 130, Ewart Road, Forest Fields, Nottingham. Following his death his widow Jessie was awarded a pension of 20 shillings and 5 pence a week which commenced on 11th November 1918.
Private William Edwin Key, enlisted in Nottingham and served with 16th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment (Chatsworth Rifles). He landed in France 16th January 1915 and was killed in action on 15th April 1918. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial.
Death notices published 22nd April 1918 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “KEY. – Killed while preparing breakfast for his comrades on April 15th, 1918, Pte. Wm. E. Key, Sherwood Foresters, aged 28, the dearly beloved and devoted husband of Jessie Key, 130, Ewart-road, Forest Fields. A loving husband and devoted dad, one of the best we could have had; he always strove to do his best, O God grant him eternal rest. – From his heart-broken wife and daughter Kaffee. “KEY. – Killed while faithfully doing his duty as cook, Pte. Wm. E. Key, Sherwood Foresters, of 130 Ewart-road, Forest Fields, the beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Key, of 69, Vernon-avenue, Old Basford. Christ will link the broken chain, when in heaven we meet again. – From his sorrowing mother, father, sisters, and brothers George and Fred (in France), also Tom and Jake (in the R.A.M.C.).” In memoriam published in the Nottingham Evening Post dated 15th April 1919 :- “KEY. – To the memory of my beloved husband, Pte. William Edwin Key (Will), died April 15th, 1918. Days of sadness still come o'er us, tears of sorrow often flow, memories keep our loved ones near us, whom God claimed one year ago. – Loving wife and Kaffee. “KEY. – In ever-loving memory of Pte. William Edwin Key, beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. Key, 68, Vernon-avenue, who was killed in France April 15th, 1918. One year has passed, and still we miss him, friends may think the wound has healed, but they little know the sorrow within the heart concealed. – From sorrowing mother, father, sisters, brothers (George and Fred in France), and brothers-in-law.” Above are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebok pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
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