In Bailleul Road East Cemetery, St. Laurent-Blangy, Pas de Calais, France, is the Commonwealth War Grave of 18/547 Lance-Corporal William Robert Moody, serving with“C” Company 18th (Service) Battalion Durham Light Infantry who died 30/04/1917.

William Robert Moody was the son of Robert and Dorothy Ann Moody, of Prospect Terrace, Shincliffe, Durham.

Eddie Castling and Andrew O’Sullivan have submitted the following:

William Robert Moody was born on the 25th November 1891 in Penshaw and baptised 3rd April 1892 at All Saints Church, Penshaw.

In 1905 he lived in Prospect Terrace, Shincliffe with widowed mother Dorothy Ann (born Philadelphia) and 2 brothers (Benjamin and James). All brothers enlisted in the Army but only James survived having served in 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. Father Robert was a miner born in Shincliffe and died before 1905.

William was admitted to Durham Johnston School on the 1st February 1905, age 13, having previously attended Shincliffe National School.

He was a Member of Shincliffe Church Choir.

William worked as an Accountants Clerk, County Accounts (Education) in 1904 age 14, and was 2nd grade clerk studying for an accountancy qualification in 1914.

He enlisted in the D.L.I. on the 25th September 1914 and became the first Accounts Department staff member killed.

William first served in Egypt in 1915 as a Private with ‘C’ Companyy, 18th (Service) Battalion D.L.I. with Service Number No 181547 (Durham Pals).

He was appointed to a Lance-Corporal and was attached to the HQ staff.

William was killed by shellfire on the 30th April 1917, aged 25, at the Battle of Arras.

Medals: British War Medal and Victory Medal

William Robert Moody is remembered at Durham on D47.025, D47.052, D47.141, and in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance, page 105, also at Shincliffe on S123.02.