The Queens Own Royal West Kent R

The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Private W G Stafford

Private William George STAFFORD, L/9810, 1st Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, killed in action, Flanders France, 24th August 1914, age 18.

19th January 1894, born Deptford, Kent, son of Arthur Henry, 12 Grove Street, Evelyn Street, Deptford, SE / 55, Childeric Road, New Cross, London.

1904 December Greenwich Registration District, Arthur Henry Stafford married Flora Elizabeth Breen / Beatrice Florence Parish.

1911 Census - 58 The Stowage, Deptford - Arthur Henry Stafford, age 44, married, brass moulder, foundry, worker, born Whitechapel; Florence Stafford, wife, age 29, married 6 years, no children, born London; Jane Stafford, daughter, age 17, single, tea packer, born Deptford; William Stafford, son, age 15, single, printers boy, born Deptford; Florence Ethel Stafford, age 9, born Deptford.

Previously served 44 Company, Army Service Corps, (Special Reserve), Service No.380.; enlisted 8th November 1911, New Cross, Kent, age 17 years & 9 months, height 5ft 3¼ inches, weight 112lbs, dark grey eyes, light brown hair, scar left thigh & over right eyebrow, mole over right breast; 10th November 1911, A H Stafford (father), 16 Reginald Road, Deptford, "This is to certify that my son was 17 years old on 19th January 1911, and that I am willing for him to join the Special Reserve and that I have no certificate of his birth in my possession.";11th November 1911, Woolwich; 7th February 1912, completed 3 months training as a driver; 20th February 1912, released to join Royal West Kent Regiment.

Enlisted New Cross, Kent, age 18, height 5ft 3⅜ inches, weight 112lbs, fresh complexion, hazel grey eyes, light brown hair, 2no.scars right eyebrow, scar right hip, mole right breast. Formerly printers labourer.

Home, 21st February 1912 to 13th August 1914; BEF, 14th August 1914 to 24th August 1914.

21st February 1912, enlisted & posted Depot, Royal West Kent Regiment; 24th February 1912 to 12th June 1912, Maidstone; 12th June 1912, posted 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 13th June 1912, Dublin; 25th July 1912, 3rd Class Certificate of Education; 24th September 1913, employment sheet, not a good worker; 6th August 1913 to 22nd September 1913, Military Hospital Portobello, Dublin, gonorrhoea, contagion mild; 29th November 1913, passed Class of Instruction in Transport at Newbridges; February 1914, appointed unpaid Lance Corporal; 19th May 1914, appointed paid Lance Corporal; 20th May 1914, Dublin, washing himself in a tea milk bucket when in charge of a Barrack Room, deprived of Lance stripe and one good conduct badge; 29th July 1914, employment sheet, intelligent, hard working, 3rd Class Certificate, trained in transport duties, has a knowledge of horses; 14th August 1914, posted BEF; 15th August 1914, disembarked.

11th June 1919, Statement of Relatives - Widow, none; Children, none; Father, Arthur Henry Stafford, 55, Childeric Road, New Cross, SE14; Mother, Florence Stafford, 55, Childeric Road, New Cross, SE14; Brothers - none; Sisters - Mrs Ellen Pember?, age ??, 2 Bevington Road, Plumstead; Mrs Louisa Barrett, age 2?, Bevington Road, Plumstead; Mrs Jane Jones, age 25, 2??????? Street, Deptford, SE.

Commemorated at La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial, France.

This page was last updated on 11-Apr-2022.