Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas George Amey, a dairy shop manager, born on the 12th August 1867 in Chelsea, Middlesex and baptised on the 13th October 1867 in the Church of St. Simon Zelotes, Chelsea (son of Frederick Amey, 1828-1875 and Rebecca Butcher, 1833-1879) and his wife Harriet Louisa Amey (nee Day, married on the 26th January 1893 in Chelsea), born on the 14th November 1871 in Market Harborough, Leicestershire and baptised on the 7th January 1872 in Market Harborough (daughter of George Day, 1826-1888 and Lucy Goodman, 1829-1886). William Frederick George, was born in the January quarter of 1894 in Fulham, Middlesex, he had one sibling, Amelia Dorothy, born on the 12th September 1895 in Kensington, in March 1901 the family home was at 253, Fulham Road, Chelsea, Middlesex.
William’s father died aged 44 years in the January quarter of 1911 in Chelsea.
In April 1911 William was absent from the family homer at 34, Blantyre Street, Chelsea, residing there was his widowed mother and siblings, Amelia, a daily domestic servant and Alfred, born on the 10th January 1902 in Chelsea and baptised on the 6th April 1902 in St. Peter’s Church, Cranley Gardens, Chelsea, meanwhile William was employed as a domestic groom and was residing as a boarder at 7, Clarendon Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire.
William enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 26th August 1914 in Hinckley, and was allotted the regimental service number 10391. He gave his place of birth as Fulham, London, Middlesex and age as 20 years 210 days. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as chauffeur.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Hinckley on the 26th August 1914 and recorded his birthplace as Fulham, Middlesex, declared age as 20 years 210 days, trade or occupation as chauffeur, that he was 5-feet 3½ inches in height, weighed 126 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35 inches, his physical development was described as good, his vision was described as R.E.-V=6/6 L.E.-V=6/6, pulse 70 per minute. Enlisted at Hinckley on the 26th August 1914. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regt. Regimental No. 10391.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 20 years 10 months, height 5-feet 3½ inches weight 126 lbs, chest measurement of between 33 and 35 inches his complexion was described as [illegible], he had [illegible] eyes and his hair colour was [illegible]. The following distinctive marks were noted, [none recorded]. He gave his religion as [illegible].
He was certified as fit for the Army. Date 27th August 1914. Place Hinckley.
He gave his next of kin as his mother, Harriet Amey 27, Blantyre Street, Kings Road, Chelsea, S.W. 7. Plowden Road, Hinckley.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 28/8/14.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 28/8/14.
Posted. To 6th (Service) Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 29/9/14.
Deprived of 3 days’ pay for misconduct. 8/10/14.
Deprived of 7 days’ pay for misconduct. 2/6/15.
Disembarked. 29/7/15.
Admitted. To 48th Field Ambulance. In the Field. 30/8/15.
Discharged. To 6th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 10/9/15.
Killed in action. Place not stated. In the Field. 29/9/16.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 29/8/14 – 28/7/15. 337 days.
British Expeditionary Force, France. 29/7/15 – 29/9/16. 1 year 63 days.
Total Service. 2 years 36 days.
He was awarded the 1914 Star with Clasp & Rose, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 25 Sep-16 - BERNAFAY WOOD. The Battalion moved up to assembly trenches at 4.00am, 25th September, leaving behind 60 men to act as carriers.
The operations from the 25th to the 29th September 1916 appended.
OPERATIONS ON THE SOMME FROM 25th September to the 30th September 1916. Appendix II.
25th September. The Battalion started from BERNAFAY WOOD at 4.00am, marched through DELVILLE WOOD, and occupied trenches as follows by 6.00am. Headquarters and “D” Company SWITCH TRENCH, “A,” “B” and “C” Companies assembly trenches behind SWITCH TRENCH. The Battalion remained in these trenches till 1.00pm. (Zero being 12.25pm). At 1.00pm “D” and “C” Companies advanced across the open to follow up and occupy trenches vacated by the 8th and 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT as they advanced, and to support and reinforce them in case of necessity. Two platoons of “D” Company and two platoons of “C” Company reinforced the 8th and 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT when they were attacked by enemy machine guns in GIRD TRENCH, and they had a good many casualties from these machine guns, Major H. H. EMMERSON (Officer Commanding “C” Company) being killed, and Captain QUAYLE (Officer Commanding “D” Company) wounded. At 2.00pm Headquarters and “A” and “B” Companies advanced in artillery formation, as wounded men stated that the 8th and 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT were in the village. Battalion Headquarters were established in BULL ROAD TRENCH, and the Battalion was disposed as follows: - Two platoons of “D” Company in PIONEER TRENCH, with oddments of 8th and 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT “A” Company and the remainder of “C” and “D” Companies in BULL ROAD TRENCH. “B” Company in BULL ROAD support. They remained in these positions during the night of 25th/26th, and these trenches were very heavily shelled during the night.
26th September. The Battalion advanced at 4.30pm preceded by patrols to take the final objective on the northern and eastern outskirts of GUEDECOURT. The barrage was fairly heavy and some few casualties took place. The leading platoons entered the village about 6.30pm and the village was not then being shelled by the enemy. No enemy were encountered in the southern portion of village, but the leading platoons, on reaching the LESBOEUFS - FACTORY CORNER ROAD through village, were heavily sniped and fired at by enemy machine guns. They held on to this line till dusk, when they were at once reinforced by the other platoons, and moved forward with very slight casualties to the orchards on the northern and eastern outskirts of village, and began consolidating. This was continued throughout the night with very slight molestation from enemy. The village itself and approaches to it, and especially its south western edge were, however, very heavily shelled. Headquarters were established at N.26.d.2.8. Touch was established with 62nd Infantry Brigade on the right at N.27.a.5.0., but it was till the morning of the 27th that connection was gained with the 55th Division on the left.
27th September. Consolidation was continued as far as possible by daylight, and during the night the posts on the northern edge were connected up. There was a certain amount of sniping, but the trenches were not heavily shelled. The village itself, and approaches to it were heavily shelled but very few casualties were sustained, as no troops were in the village.
28th September. Situation remained the same. At midnight a strong patrol under 2nd Lieutenant J. B. GARNER and a party of Pioneers went out to GARDEN TRENCH, and made a small post with blocks on either side to deny its occupation by the enemy.
29th September. Situation same. At 9.00pm the Battalion was relieved by the 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT The relief was complete by 11.30pm. A certain number of casualties were caused to both Battalion’s by enemy’s bombardment of village and its approaches.
30th September. The Battalion returned to its former bivouac near BERNAFAY WOOD, arriving there at 1.00am. The casualties suffered by the Battalion during these operations, were as follows: -
Officers killed Major H. H. EMMERSON, Captain G. M. G. GILLETT, 2nd Lieutenant W. E. ROBINSON. Officers wounded Captain G. A. QUAYLE, Lieutenant A. V. DAGG, Lieutenant F. WOOLNOUGH, 2nd Lieutenant’s. A. C. NICHOLLS, C. H. HIGSON, A. M. DIXON, E. G. LANE–ROBERTS, E. J. HODGSON, F. GILDING and G. H. BOWEN. Other ranks killed 32, missing 25 and wounded 141.
[recognitum I-XI-MMXXIV]