Peter Wise and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
William was born at Barnard Castle in 1892. He was the son of Watson and Elizabeth (nee Graham). His parents married at Teesdale in 1889 and went on to have 8 children although sadly 2 died. His siblings included George, Phyllis and Mary by 1901 then by 1911 two additions arrived namely Elizabeth and Greta.
Prior to 1911 Watson had been a general labourer but then found work as a grocer’s warehouseman. By 1911 the older children had also found work, William as a bobbin carrier at the thread factory, George as a blacksmith’s striker and Phyllis was an apprentice at the shoe thread factory.
William appears to have enlisted soon after the war broke out. In January 1915, he wrote home from the front, saying: "I wish to thank the Barnard Castle War Emergency Committee for their kindness in sending the grand parcel for my Christmas gift, although it was very late in arriving. I would like to thank Mr J. I. Dawson for getting our names."
He began training at Halton Camp, Tring in October 1915 his original service number being 3196.
William was officially reported missing in May 1917 although his death was assumed to be about April 14th 1917 according to military records.
Watson Waine was at the time serving in Egypt.
Both the brothers George and William were killed in action although their father survived returning after three years' service in 1918.
William Waine is remembered at Barnard Castle on on B135.02, B135.23 and B135.25
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 84
