Medal Index Card
William Robert Soulsby was born at 24 Marcus Terrace, Blyth in August 1892, he was one of six children of Edward Dodds Soulsby, whose occupation as an employer was Clothier, Hatter, Mercer (Shopkeeper), born 1861 in Blyth at 18 Station Road, who died 19th April 1921, [he was the son of William Robert Soulsby, born 1836/7, a Draper, died March 1913, who was married to Mary Anne Soulsby], and his wife Hannah Isabella [nee Allon], born 26th May 1862 at Newbiggin-at-Sea, [2nd youngest daughter of four children to a Mary Anne Allon, born 1837], she died on the 10th January 1948, [in 1939, she was residing at 10 Fenwick Grove, Morpeth]. In her will dated 2nd July 1948, she left £14030 6s 2d to Allon Dodds Soulsby and Edward Dodds Soulsby bank manager.
[In 1921 Edward Dodds the father left £6118 8s to his Wife Hannah Isabella Sousby dated 7th June 1921].
Edward and Hannah were married in 1883. They had six children, Eleanor Clark, born 18th November, 1887, at 34 Marcus Terrace, Blyth, [she died on the 7th September 1960, at Ashington Hospital, in her will she left £9880 1s 1d to her youngest brother Percy Rodoers Soulsby], Allon Dodds, born 22nd November 1889, [also at Marcus Terrace, Blyth, he was married to Eva Jewson, [who was born 24th December 1901], in 1920, he died aged 80 in September 1970, William Robert, born 1892, Edward Dodds, born 16th May 1894, again at Marcus Terrace, a gentleman's outfitter. He died on the 27th October 1985 at Bexhill-on-Sea, Norman Soulsby, born 1896, died aged 41, at home, on the 25th January 1938, [in his will, he left £1413 3s 11d to his younger brother Percy, Norman was well known for introducing Table Tennis to the Y.M.C.A., in about 1918 at Morpeth], and his youngest brother Percy presented a cup to the Table tennis Association on the 28th May 1848, to a Mr Robson. Percy Rodoers, born 5th May 1900, at 17 Beaconsfield Street Blyth, he died on the 5th April 1962 at the Cottage Hospital Morpeth, residing at 10 Fenwick Grove, leaving effects of £27996 3S to Barclays Bank Ltd. He was also a member of the British Legion for 6 years, then was the Chairman of the Morpeth branch of the British Legion for a further additional 6 years before resigning on the 29th January 1947. In World War II, Percy was also involved in providing a Y.M.C.A., Mobile Canteen, from Alnwick, by making an appeal to raise £1000, which was achieved within 6 months, the canteen, besides having cooking stoves and tea urns, holds 350 Library books, portable gramophone and wireless apparatus, notepaper and writing materials. and 120 gallons of water. It also showed the Morpeth Coat of Arms Bronze Crest on the sides of the Van, which was designed by Swinburne-Carr a Morpeth artist.
By 1901, the whole family were residing at 17 Beaconsfield Street Blyth.
By 1911, the family had taken up residence in Morpeth, now living at 8 Fenwick Grove, Morpeth, Northumberland. All eight were still together and none of the children were married. About 1903, a shop was opened at 23 Bridge Street, Morpeth. An advertisement for their clothes [Soulsbys] was regularly advertised weekly in the Morpeth Herald.
They eventually had more branches, there were four branches alone in Sunderland by 1926, 27 Vine Place, 194 Chester Road, 12 Silksworth Road and 57 Hylton Road, Sunderland.
In 1911, the father, Edward, was described as Gents Outfitter, (Dealer), Clothier, Hatter, Mercer. The oldest boy, Allon [named after his mothers maiden name], 21 was a Gents Outfitter, Shop Manager, William, 18 was a Bank Clerk, Edward, 16, was a Gents Outfitter, Shop Assistant and Norman, 14, was a Gents Outfitter, Errand Boy. 10 year-old Percy was still at school.
In 1914, Percy Soulsby won a prize for the best essay written by a local boy or girl offered by Sangers the Circus.
William Robert Soulsby was educated at the Boys' Free School, under R. J. Carr, and attended the Morpeth First School at Goose Hill. He was also a member of the 1st Company Morpeth Boys' Brigade and had risen to the rank of Sergeant. After leaving school, he went into the office of Messrs' Molineaux and Sinton solicitors at Newcastle. He shortly afterwards went to Barclay's Bank at Hetton-le-Hole, and was transferred to the bank's branch at Blyth. William was a member of the Morpeth Congregational Church.
William Robert Soulsby, SP/2582, enlisted in London, into 'B' Company of the 24th (Sportsman), Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, on the 10th January 1915.
The origin of the 23rd and 24th Sportsman's Battalion, owed their origin to a Mrs. Cunliffe-Owen, daughter of the late Sir Philip Cunliffe-Owen, K.C.B., and wife of the late Edward Cunliffe-Owen, C.M.G. The idea arose quite spontaneously. Mrs Cunliffe-Owen, on rallying some men-friends for not being in khaki, was challenged to raise a battalion of middle and upper class men up tot the age of forty-five. She promptly went with them to the post-office and telegraphed to Lord Kitchener, Will you accept complete battalion of upper and middle class men, physically fit, able to shoot and ride, up to the age of forty-five? The reply was, Lord Kitchener gratefully accepts complete battalion
"The India Room, Hotel Cecil, was taken for a month, a dozen ex-officers were begged from the Officer's Association, and the enrolment began. Each applicant, in the presence of one of these ex-officers, filled in a form stating his chest measurement, height, weight, nationality, and whether he could shoot and ride and walked well. The form was then taken to a screened-off part of the room, where Mrs. Cunliffe-Owen signed it. The men were then sent to a recruiting office to be medically examined.
The first Battalion 23rd was complete in four weeks, and Mrs. Cunliffe-Owen hustled a contractor into putting up a fully equipped and model camp in nineteen days!
The 23rd Royal Fusiliers, in uniform with full band, marched through the streets of London to entrain at Liverpool Street Station for Hornchurch, Essex, after being inspected in Hyde Park by Colonel Maitland.
On March 17th 1915, the 24th Battalion were inspected on the Horse Guards' parade ground by Brigadier-General Kellett, who thanked Mrs. Cunliffe-Owen in the name of the King and the nation for raising two such fine battalions and congratulating her on being the only woman in the world to have achieved such a feat, requested her to take the salute.
The connection between the 23rd and 24th was very intimate. They did PE in Savoy Street, and were put through their early paces in the very heart of London.
The men were all big fellows average height over 6 feet. Both Battalions were brigaded into the 99th Brigade of the 33rd Division, but arrival in France on the 17th November 1915, the 24th Battalion was placed in the 5th Brigade".
The War Diary for the 24th Battalion : "25.1.16 Bethune, Company Training Weather fine.
26.1.16 C2 SUB.SEC Trenches. Battalion proceeded to take over trenches from the 23rd Royal Fusiliers Front approximately RUE DE BOIS to QUINQUE RUE Relief commenced at 7.30 pm. 'B' & 'D' Companies in Front line 'A' Company in support 'C' Company in Reserve. Weather Fine.
27.1.16 A large amount of work was done in repairing the breast work of these trenches. The enemy was very quiet and showed no activity except for some sniping and firing of rifle grenades. A patrol under Lieutenant Chandler reconnoitred the enemy wire and found it good and intact. Patrols went out to R[ight] and L[eft] flanks, reported 2nd Light Ox and Bucks on our right and a battalion of R.W.F., on our left who formed part of 38th Division. At about 5pm the enemy fired a rifle grenade into our left front trenches killing 3 men and wounding 2. A patrol from 'D' Company reconnoitring enemy wire were fired on, and the Corporal [2693, Robertson] was missing on their return".
Lance Corporal William Robert Soulsby aged 23 years was killed in action in France on the night of [Thursday] the 27th January 1916. He was killed by a rifle grenade fired from the German side into a trench that William and Private 2749 Coles and 2426 Marshall were standing in, also wounding Privates 2547 Pearce and 3390 Fields. All in 'B' Company.
The Chaplain of the Battalion Rev. T. W Taylor wrote a letter to his parents, which reads as follows : It is with the deepest regret that I write to you to inform you of the death in action on Thursday last, January 27th, of your son, Lance-Corporal W. R. Soulsby, 2582, of the 24th Royal Fusiliers. I buried him the following day in a little cemetery, not far be-hind the firing-line, and soon the spot will be marked with a plain wooden cross, the emblem of the Highest Sacrifice-and the most fitting mark of the 'final resting place' of all our fallen comrades.
His platoon commander Lieutenant C. P Harvey also sent a letter he writes :It is with the deepest regret that I have to inform you that your son, Lance-Cpl, W. R. Soulsby, was killed in action on the night of the 27th January. It will be a relief to you to know that he suffered no pain, as his death was instantaneous.
He is a great loss to me as his platoon officer, as he was an exceedingly good N.C. O., always cheerful and carrying out his many arduous duties willingly and thoroughly. He served his King and country with a willing heart, and his death is keenly felt by me and by all by whom he was known.
His Company Officer, Captain Pagent, wishes me to convey to you his deep sympathy and regret, and which please be good enough to accept from me.
Source:Morpeth Herald 11/02/1916
William Robert in his will dated 11th May 1916 left £253 6s 2d to Edward Dodds Soulsby.
Acknowledgments to The Northumberland Record Office World War One Project.
William Robert Soulsby is remembered in Morpeth on M17.01, M17.02, M17.09, M17.10, M17.16, M17.18 and M17.29
He is also remembered at the Barclays Bank Roll of Honour at London including the remembrance book
