William Bland
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William was born in 1891, the second son of John Robert and Elizabeth Bland (nee Beeton). His father was born about 1861 in Grantham, Lincolnshire, and his mother in Hyson Green, Nottingham. They had three sons, John Robert (b. abt 1889), William and George Alfred (b. 1893) who were all born in Hyson Green. In 1901 John (38), a tramcar driver, and Elizabeth (37) were living at 7 Gauntley Street, Hyson Green, with their three boys, John (12), William (10) and George (7). Also in the household was George Beeton (71) Elizabeth's widowed father. At the time of the 1911 Census John Robert junior (22) a butcher, William (20) a clerk and George (17) a hosiery trimmer, were living at 8 Broomhill Road, Bulwell. Included in the household on the night of the census were Nellie Norman (27), John Leonard Norman (3) and Nellie Dexter (9) all of whom were described as cousins. John and Elizabeth were not named on the census form which was completed by William. However, none of the boys were described as the head of household but as 'sons' which suggests that their parents were still permanently resident at this address. No record has yet been found of John and Elizabeth's whereabouts on the night of the 1911 Census but John died later that year age 50 (death registered July/Aug/Sept, Nottingham). John Robert married Gertrude EF Edwards later in 1911 (marriage registered J/A/S, Nottingham) and they were to have one child, a son. All three brothers died in 1917, William predeceased George and John. George served in the Labour Corps (18019 Private, formerly 58765 York and Lancs Regiment) and died of wounds on 1 September 1917. John served in the 1/7th Battalion Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment (48832 Private) and was killed on 9 October 1917. John was living in Sheffield when he enlisted in the army but when his death was reported in the local paper in August 1918 his wife and child were already living in Bulwell and his mother was also living in Bulwell on Broomhill Road. His widowed mother married William Croome in 1918 (registered Nottingham Oct/Nov/Dec); they lived at 44 Broomhill Road, Bulwell. Elizabeth died in 1944 aged 80.
1st Bn. He served in France from 1 June 1915. He was killed by a shell and is buried in Mindel Trench Cemetery. He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Nottingham Post notice (abridged), 31 June 1917: 'Bland. Killed by shell June 15th 1917, Rifleman William Bland, Rifle Brigade. Mother.' Register of Soldiers' Effects: His legatee was his mother, Elizabeth, but he also arranged for a payment to his sister-in-law, Gertrude Bland, and to the estate of his brother Alfred (sic). The following notice of his brother John's death was published in the Nottingham Post on 13 August 1918: 'Bland. Wounded and missing October 6th 1917 now reported dead. Private John Robert Bland, West Yorkshire Regiment, husband of Gertrude Bland of Bulwell, eldest and last surviving son of Elizabeth Bland of Broomhill Road, Bulwell. Wife and little son and mother.'
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