Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Edward Harley Sutton, a farm stockman, born 1857 in Sibson, Hunts., and his wife Mary Sutton (nee Parsons, married 1890), born 1858 in Wansford, Northants. William Henry (Harry) was born in 1893 in Fotheringhay, Northants., his siblings were, Edward H., born 1892 in Manton, Rutland, Hilda M., born 1895 and Frances Alice, born 1898, the latter two siblings were both born in Saxondale, Notts., in March 1901 the family home was at Holwell, Leics. In April 1911 William was employed as an assistant baker in the employ of Richard Slawson, a baker and confectioner, born 1862 in Billesdon, Leics., and his wife Harriet Slawson, born 1864 in Bakewell, Derbys.,and was residing as a servant at Front Street, Billesdon, Leics. On Friday November 2nd 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – AB KETTLEBY. – KILLED IN ACTION. – We regret to record the deaths in action of Pte. Arthur Gale, son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Gale and Pte. William Sutton youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Sutton. Both were members of the local Foresters Club, and were highly respected by all who knew them. The sympathy of the entire parish is extended to the bereaved parents. On Friday November 16th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT NEWS.” – AB KETTLEBY. – FORESTERS MEMORIAL SERVICE. – In memory of three of our fallen heroes, Bros. Privates Arthur Gale, Wm. Henry Sutton and Wm. Tinkler who have all been killed at the front, a Foresters’ memorial service was held in the Parish Church, on Sunday evening, conducted by the Court Chaplain, Bro. The Rev. E. P. Doudney, M.A. There was a large attendance including the relatives of the deceased. The Vicar and the other Officers all wore their sashes of office and a large number of members attended to pay their last tribute of respect to the deceased brothers. The Vicar read the Foresters’ funeral oration and also the funeral service for fallen soldiers, and special Psalms were sung and special lessons read, the hymns being appropriate to the occasion. The Vicar announced that 50 of their members had joined H.M. Forces. Nine of these had been killed at the front, three are missing, two are prisoners of war, two are at home wounded, one is in hospital wounded, and one had received the Military Medal. The Vicar took for his text Ecclesiastes xii., 7. “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” He said as Foresters, in that service, they had done all they could to pay their last tribute of respect to their deceased fellow members who had so nobly given their lives for them at home, and sad as was the thought that they were laid to rest in a foreign land, yet he was thankful to say one day father, mother, brother and sisters, and they as members would have a happy re-union with them in the realms above. He spoke comforting words to the bereaved families and pleaded for all present to live such lives in the present world as would fit them for the life eternal. Miss Eva Taylor ably presided at the organ and as an incoming voluntary played “Oh rest in the Lord” and at the close of the service “The Dead March” from Saul.