Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Alfred Wheat, born 1852 in Wigston, Leicestershire and his wife Harriet Wheat (nee Broughton, married on the 31st March 1872 in the parish church Wigston Magna, Leicestershire), a framework knitter, born 1854 in Enderby, Leicestershire. William was born in the 1st quarter of 1878 in Wigston Magna, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Eliza, born 1872 and Annie Janet, born 1876, both his siblings were born in Enderby, in April 1881 the family home was at 4, North Street, Wigston Magna. In April 1891 William was employed as a shoe trade riveter and was residing in the family home in North Street, Wigston Magna, together with his father, a bricklayer’s labourer, his mother and siblings, Eliza a Griswold stocking frame knitter, Annie, a Griswold stocking frame knitter, Sarah, a schoolgirl, born 8th May 1881, Alfred, a schoolboy, born 1883 and Elsie Beatrice, born 1889, the latter three siblings were all born in Wigston. In March 1901 William was employed as a boot maker and was residing in the family home at 42, Craddock Road, Clarendon Park, Leicester, together with his father, a bricklayer’s labourer, his mother and siblings, Sarah, a hosiery trade machinist, Alfred, a carpenter and Albert, born 1891 in Wigston, also residing in the family home was William’s Niece, Gladys J. Wheat, born 1901 in Leicester. In April 1911, William was absent from the family home at 69, Montague Road, Leicester, residing there was his father, a general labourer, his mother and siblings, Sarah Smedley (nee Wheat, married on the 2nd September 1905 in St. Michael and All Angel’s Church, Knighton, Leicester), a hosiery trade machinist and Albert, a winder, also residing in the family home was William’s Niece Gladys Smedley, a schoolgirl, William was employed as a shoe trade tacker and was residing as a boarder at 7, Edward Road, Clarendon Park, Leicester.
William attested into the Militia to serve an engagement of 6 years on the 7th February 1902 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as Wigston Magna, Leicestershire, his present address as 42, Craddock Road, Clarendon Park, Leicester. He gave his present employer as Messrs. Tompkins and Spencer, Boot Manufacturers, Mansfield Street, Leicester and his trade or calling as shoe hand. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, Alfred Wheat, his mother, Harriett Wheat, his two brothers, Alfred Wheat and Albert Wheat and his three sisters, Lizzie Wheat, Annie Wheat and Sarah Wheat, all of 42, Craddock Road, Leicester as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 5¾ inches in height, weighed 134 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 34 and 36½ inches. His complexion was described as fair, he had dark grey eyes and fair hair. It was noted that he had a scar under his jaw on the left side of his neck. He gave his religion as Wesleyan. He was pronounced fit for the Militia on the 7th February 1902 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Militia) as a Private, service number 8088 on the 7/2/02. Embodied Service commenced on the 24/2/02. Embarked for South Africa on the 27/3/03. Returned to England and disembodied on the 3/10/03. Excused 1903. Present 1904. Present 1905. Leave 1906. Present 1907. Time complete on the 6/2/08.
William first entered the theatre of war in France on the 20th May 1915, subsequently transferring to Mesopotamia, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 6 Apr-16 - The 19th and 28th Brigade’s supported by 21st Brigade were ordered to carry out a night march with the intention of attacking at dawn. The march was commenced shortly after midnight, in massed formation, 28th Brigade on right, 19th Brigade on left. Formation of 28th Brigade. Front line 51st SIKHS (FRONTIER FORCE) and Provisional Battalion OXFORD AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY, second line 2nd LEICESTERSHIRE REGT, third line 53rd SIKHS and 56th RIFLES (FRONTIER FORCE). Owing to considerable delay during the march the attacking Brigade’s were 1000 yards short of enemy’s position when it was daylight. Suddenly the enemy opened a withering fire. The first lines of the Brigade pushed forward to within 800 yards of enemy’s position until compelled to halt through very heavy casualties (our own artillery on right bank of TIGRIS being responsible for a considerable number) when they entrenched. Some 400 yards behind these another line was established and consolidated by some 200 men of the LEICESTERSHIRE REGT and HIGHLAND Battalion’s (1st SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS and BLACK WATCH of 19th Brigade), the remaining units of both Brigade’s extending in rear. Heavy fire was kept up by enemy throughout the day. At dusk the wounded and a few others of the Battalion and other units crawled back, and organised stretcher parties were sent out. The following casualties occurred, very early in the Battalion. Officers killed 2nd Lieutenant H. BILLINGS, wounded Major R. N. KNATCHBULL D.S.O., Major A. F. R. COLQUHOUN, Captain C. A. BAMFORD, Captain H. N. H. GRIMBLE, Lieutenant H. STOCKLEY, 2nd Lieutenant T. MONAGHAN, 2nd Lieutenant J. HARBOTTLE, 2nd Lieutenant H. S. ELLIS. 2nd Lieutenant B. BRAKES was wounded in the afternoon. Other ranks during the 6th April, killed 45, wounded 254, wounded but did not quit Battalion 3, missing 19. Major D. L. WEIR D.S.O. reassumed command of the Battalion on the afternoon of the 6th April.