William is listed as being killed in action on the 16th May 1915 during the Battle of Festubert. The battalion war diary for the period 15th to 18th May is transcribed below.
15 May 1915
15th May 1915 - Locon
At 7.50pm on Sat we left our billets S of Locon and arrived at the starting point X.20 at 8.55pm, marching via Rue de Bois – Rue de Epinette – Route IV. The battalion was formed up in the support trenches N of Rue de Cailloux by 11.30pm without any casualties. END
16 May 1915
16th May 1915 - N of Rue de Cailloux
On the 16th when the first Company of the R Welsh Fus was launched to assault the Bn commenced the file into the front trench of the British line N of Rue de Cailloux. The enemy had by this time opened a heavy bombardment on our frontline trenches and support trenches. The Battn was formed up in the fire trench in the following order A.B.C.D.
A Coy Demolished the barricade on the Rue de Cailloux and made an opening in our parapet 40 yards north of road to allow entrance of wounded.
2 Platoons A Coy advanced at 4:00am to reinforce R W Fus by the remainder. Of the company at 4:40am. B Coy was sent at 5.15am to reinforce R W Fus & Queens 1/2 right direction across the Rue de Cailloux. A Coy advanced on line M.5 – Road junction La Quniguis Rue and took a position in communication trench M5 M6 by 6.40am. B Coy arrived at M8 – M9 at 7.00am. The line M5. M6. M8-M9 was held at this time by Queens, R W Fus and two Coys of R War R.
At 5.00am 2 Platoons D Coy with M G section preceded to put first German trench in state of defence. The R W F asking for further reinforcements, 1 Platoon of C Coy advanced half right across Rue de Cailloux at 5.45am I don't arrival at about 50 yards SW of M5 the Platoon Commander put himself under orders of O C Queens. All these Coys advanced with great dash and quickness and arrived at desired objective and only retired from this line on receipt of orders from Capt Stockwell Cmdg R W Fus as he informs me that the trenches were untenable owing to enfilade fire.
At 8.45am 3 Platoons C Coy + 1 Platoon D Coy under Capt Kneyett? with objective P4-N11- La Quinque Rue with orders to get into trench with Scots Guards on left front of left flank and put La Quinque in a state of defence. B Coy to go to La Quinque Rue & ½ Coy to N.11. This company did not get beyond N8 asked the troops on left were unable to advance.
At 8.50am the position of the Battalion was as follows:
2 Platoons D Coy putting German trench in state of defence with M.G section.
B Coy in communication trench M6 – M5
1 Platoon C Coy 50 yards SW of M5
A Coy in trench M9 – M8
At 11.40am C Coy was ordered to advance in support of R Scots in their attack through N5, N4 – N11.
At 3.45pm 2 Platoons D coy moved towards farm on La Quinque Rue to put it in a state of defence but found advanced British troops retiring.
At Dusk the Bttn was ordered to hold first German trench N4-N5 and by 9.00pm the whole battalion was reorganised and formed up in this position. Subsequently Bn what's moved to left taking a position with left on Rue de Cailloux and Right at M.3. END
17/18th May 1915
17th May 1915 - N of Rue de Cailloux
On the morning of 17.5.15 1 Platoon of D Coy moved up to N7 in support of R Scots where it stayed until night when it withdrew to 1st Line British Trench.
During night 17th/18th the battlefield was checked and the dead buried.
Throughout 18th we remained in support of R Scots and at 8pm the Battn left the field and proceeded into billets a Vendin-Les-Bethune.
Casualties
The casualties of the Battalion during the Operations were as follows:
Officers Killed two - 2/Lieut Blair
2/Lieut Burdin
Wounded four - A Segrave
C. J. Holmes
F Burford
A E Stephen (still at duty)
Other Ranks Killed 24
Wounded 151
Missing 21
