Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
William was the older son of William Henry and Mary (nee Brankston) who had 4 children during their marriage although sadly one died.
William was born at Cornforth on April 19th 1894 and later baptised at Cornforth on May 23rd 1894.
In 1901 the family was living at Cornforth Lane. Suffolk born father, William was working as a joiner/carpenter. The young family included sister, Nora and younger brother John.
By 1911 Nora had married so only William and John were at home with their parents. At the age of 16 William was already working as a helper up (below ground) at the pit. John was still at school at this time.
William attested at Deaf Hill Colliery on September 8th 1914 then the same day was posted to the Durham Light Infantry at Newcastle. His records show him to be 5’4” tall, 130lbs weight with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and light brown hair. It was considered he had good physical development and was fit for active service. His faith was Primitive Methodist.
He was promoted to Lance Corporal September 4th 1915 and was posted to France spending only 17 days there before he was killed.
Some time after his death a letter was forwarded to his father via the British Red Cross reporting :- “I refer to statement by No 14365 Pte Oswald DLI who was told by a machine gunner that Wilby and 5 or 6 other men were killed by a shell 258/26 Sept.”
The Loos Memorial commemorates 20595 of William’s comrades with no known grave who were killed in the area during and after the Battle of Loos which started on 25 September 1915.
The brother of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, actually died same day as William although he served with a different regiment. He was Captain Fergus Bowes Lyon.
William’s father received monies due to William which amounted to £3.10s.5d then later a war gratuity of £3.10s.0d.
Medals; 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal
William’s younger brother, John, was also killed in the Great War on September 21st 1918, almost 3 years to the day after his brother.
William Henry Wilby is remembered at Cornforth on C115.01 and C115 .03, at Coxhoe on C103.01 and at Tursdale on T62.02
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 265
