Military History

William is listed as being killed in action during the Battle of the Canal du Nord and the attack on High Ground above Proville. The 1st Battalion war diary entries for the period 28th to 30th September 1918 are transcribed below.

Anneux – 28 Sep 1918: The 57^th Division pass through the 63^rd R.N. Division at 6.30am and advance on Fontaine Notre Dame and Cantaing on to the Canal e’ Escaut. The 1^st Bn Royal Marines rearranging behind Anneux and at 3pm move into trench between Fontaine & Cantaing in F.22. central. At nightfall the 189^th Brigade move up to cross the Canal de e’Escaut and the River Escaut.

Fontaine & Cantaing - 29 Sep 1918: The 1^st Bn Royal Marines move at 11.30am and cross the River Escaut and the Canal de e’Escaut and line up for an attack on high ground A.26.b&d. Assembly position in F.30.a (Sheet 57c NE).

The Bn attacked at 1.45pm but met with heavy opposition from the direction of Proville. Heavy enfilade fire rendered progress very slow. At nightfall line now A.26.a & A.19.d (Sheet 57G NW).

Officer Casualties: 3 wounded
Other Ranks Casualties: 16 killed and 112 wounded.

Overlooking Proville – 30 Sep 1918: The 57^th Division advance to the attack and leapfrog through the 63^rd R.N. Division. Heavy opposition was met with and at places our front line was barely reached.

Casualties: OR killed 3, wounded 30.