Have You a Tiger In Your Family?

Rank : Private

Army Number : 27082

Unit : 1st Bn

Biography :

Served with the 1st Bn during World War One. Died of wounds in France and Flanders campaign 24.3.1918, aged 26. He is buried at Lagnicourt Hedge Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

William Rowley was born at the end of 1892. His parents were Joseph Rowley, a shoe finisher and his wife Sarah (nee Coleman). The 1901 census shows the family living at 7 King Street, Oadby and at the time William had three sisters. By 1911 the family had expanded by a further three children, but Sarah had died in 1908 aged 35years. At this time William was working as a shoe riveter. On 7 March 1915 he married Gertrude Maria Wise, a hosiery machinist from Wigston Magna and the couple moved to Thurnleigh House, Long Street, Wigston and later to 74 Bull Head Street.

William was called up on 4 April 1916 and was initially posted to the 12th (reserve) Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. After basic training he left for France on 27 August 1916. He was posted to the 1st Leicesters three days later. On 21 March 1918 the Germans launched their Spring Offensive. The 1st Leicesters were stationed in the Vaulx-Vraucourt area, north east of Bapaume. The battalion was ordered to ‘stand to’ in battle positions. Large numbers of officers and men were away on working party duty. So at 4.30am Battalion Headquarters advanced to their assembly point with just five officers and 110 men. A heavy German bombardment opened up at 5am. There was a very thick fog, which prevented both sides from seeing clearly. The working parties from B, C and D companies returned to the firing line, exhausted after their fatigues. The battalion advanced to Vaulx Wood under heavy machine gun fire. German snipers were also very active. By late afternoon it was learned that A Company had been practically wiped out and the positions over run.

William received a bullet wound to the head and was removed from the battlefield by the Germans. He was taken to a dressing station in the vicinity of Lagnicourt, a village which had been recaptured on 21 March and now lay behind enemy lines. He died of wounds on 23 March and was buried by the Germans. He was missing in action until 7 November 1918 when the War Office reported that Private William Rowley’s name had appeared on the official German list of dead POWs. He is Buried with Honour at Lagnicourt Hedge Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. The cemetery is the resting place of both German and British troops. On 25 November 1918 William’s widow Gertrude was awarded a pension of 13s6d per week. In 1920 she married Albert Edward Vockins, a neighbour who had served in the 1st Leicesters with her husband.

Some information has kindly been provided by oadbyremembers.org.uk

Date of Birth : 1892

Place of Birth : Oadby, Leicestershire

Date of Death : 24.3.1918

Place of Death : France

Civil Occupation : Rivetter, Shoe Trade

Period of Service : 1910s

Conflicts : WW1

Places Served : France