William Kirby and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
William was born at Seaham Harbour in 1890. His parents were Henry Benhard and Ellen (nee Roxby) who married in 1881 and went on to have 11 children although sadly 3 died. Henry was a mariner who had been born in Heliogland.
The children were Dorothy, Aida Louisa, Frances Jane, William, Henry (died aged 2) Eleanor, Margaret (died aged 15) Matthew, Dora, Harriet, and Henry.
In 1891 the family were living at Henry Street, Dawdon. Father Henry was a sailor.
By 1901 their home was at 18 Back Railway Street, Dawdon. No mention of Henry however who is probably at sea.
Ellen’s father, 75-year-old Matthew Roxby, is now living with the family. He is working as a dock watchman.
1911 shows Henry is still working as a sailor. At this time William is a putter in the coal mine. The family now live at 45 Silver Street, Sunderland.
In 1913 William married Lilian Mary Baker. They went on to have three children namely William, Lily, James.
William enlisted at Sunderland and was sent to fight in the Balkans on July 14th 1915.
The military records that have been looked at indicate William died of wounds in France. However, family members have shown on the Ancestry website that he was lost at sea.
Monies due to William were allocated to his mother. The payment was £13.15s.8d plus a later war gratuity of £15.10s.0d.
William was awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
William Roxby Anderson has yet to be identified on a local War Memorial.
