Have You a Tiger In Your Family?

Rank : Sergeant

Army Number : 7285

Unit : 1st Bn

Biography :

Born 31st March 1885 and enlisted at Hinckley, Leicestershire December 1901. As Private with 1st Bn was granted 1st Good Conduct Badge 8.3.1905. Awarded 3rd Class certificate of Education in 1906. Was promoted to Sergeant in 1913 during his service with 2nd Bn. As Sergeant served with Bn during World War One. Killed in action France and Flanders 8.12.1914, aged 29. He is buried at Le Touret Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L' Avoue, Pas de Calais, France. Husband of Ada Merrick of 7 Northfield Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire. ------------ email received from Ian Philpott, a great nephew, 29th March 2012: Further Info: William Henry Merrick was born 31 March 1885 in Ryton, a small hamlet near to Bulkington, Warwickshire. He was the son of George Merrick, a labourer, and Mary Jane Morris. In 1891 the family were in Croft, Leicestershire. Ten years later William was with his family at 10 Upper Bond Street, Hinckley, and working as a gas works fitter. At some stage during these years William had associations with the Salvation Army Band in Hinckley. By 1901 William was living at 4 Coventry Road, Hinckley.
In December 1901 William enlisted as a Private, for a term of six years, with the 3rd Bn Leicestershire Regiment in Leicester. At this stage he was described as 5ft 6in tall, 129lbs and with a fresh complexion, dark brown eyes and brown hair. He quickly moved to the R.A.M.C. as a Private before serving in South Africa in 1902.

Date of Birth : 13th March 1885

Place of Birth : Ryton, Warwickshire

Date of Death : 8.12.1914

Place of Death : France

Period of Service : 1900s

Conflicts : WW1

Places Served : South Africa & France