Gunner William John French
| Date of Birth | c. 1884 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 36 |
| Date of Death | 20 October 1920 |
| Service Number | 38503 (?6) |
| Military Service | Royal Field Artillery |
| Merton Address | |
| Local Memorial | Streatham Park Cemetery |
Additional Information
William grew up in Newport, Monmouthshire. His was a busy household and the 1901 census shows that he was a postman, aged 17, and lived with his parents, John, a ship’s steward and Louisa; his younger siblings Charles and Gladys; his grandfather William Field, a retired shipwright; his great aunt Catherine and their boarder, Edwin Cox.
William married Jessie in 1905 and they went on to have two daughters Iris and Vera.
At the 1911 census William and Jessie were living in Punt Road, Newport with their daughters and Williams’ sister Gladys who was now 16.
William volunteered in October 1914 and before he was sent to France, he and Jessie had their daughters baptised in St Michael’s Church, Lambeth. William’s occupation is shown as “Bricklayer”.
He was a Gunner in the Royal Field Artillery and served in Loos for three months in 1915 before being transferred to the Balkan Theatre of War. He contracted malaria whilst in the army and was invalided out in March 1918. He died on 20 October 1920 of a further bout of malaria. The family address was 34 Thornton Street, Brixton and he was buried in Streatham Park Cemetery.
His service number is shown as 38506 on his grave but was almost certainly 38503.