Other Information:William enlisted on 2nd March 1915, and was embodied into the 3/1st Home Counties Field Ambulance. He was 21 years and 180 days old; a cabinet maker by trade; and was living at 111 Boxley Road, Maidstone at the time. On 17th July 1915, he became attached to the 2/6th East Surrey Regiment.
In 1917, William was advised that he was due to go on active service abroad and appeared to become depressed about it. He went absent without leave on 28th August 1917, and was not seen again until his body was found on 2nd September. An inquest was held at Hill House Military Hospital, Minster, East Kent, which concluded that he had taken his own life, whilst temporarily insane.
A detachment of the East Surrey Regiment, including a firing party, men of the R.A.M.C., along with wounded soldiers and others were present at his funeral. Three volleys were fired over his grave, and the band played a verse of the hymn “Lead, kindly Light”. An aeroplane circled overhead as the last rites were conducted, and the Last Post was sounded by two of the battalion buglers. William was the son of William Charles and Grace Frances Short.
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