PRIVATE WILLIAM WHEADON: G/21778
7th Battalion Queen’s (Royal West Sussex) Regiment
William was one of fourteen children born to William and Mary Wheadon – twelve of whom survived into adulthood.
In the early 1900s, the family lived at 39 Rope Walks – a fitting address since six of the family worked in the rope and net industry.
They later moved to the outskirts of town and in 1911 and lived at Foundry Cottage, West Road, Symondsbury. Most of the older children had left home by this time and only William, brother Alfred and sister Elsie still lived in the family home. They had been joined by Herbert – William Snr and Mary’s grandson.
In July 1916, William married Mabel Swaffield at St Mary’s Church Bridport. The couple made their new home just down the road at 81 South Street. It is unclear from the marriage certificate if William was already serving in the Army, but it is highly likely, since his records show that he initially enlisted with the Dorsetshire regiment before transferring to the Queen’s ( Royal West Sussex) Regiment. Perhaps the wedding took place during a period of home leave?
The Regiment had been in France and Flanders since June 1915 and after his wedding William served with the 7th Battalion there, involved in the battles of Scarpe and Arleux.
He was deployed in what was a very volatile area – the area along the Ypres Salient was the site of sustained, continuous fighting. After action in August, William was reported missing – killed in action.
His body was not recovered, and death was presumed ‘on or since August 10th’ 1917.
William is remembered on the Ypres Memorial – Menin Gate