Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Ambrose Bloxham a carpenter, born 1856 in Hinckley, Leics., and his wife Eliza Ann, born 1858 in Hinckley, Leics. William Mason Bloxham was born in 1877 in Hinckley, Leics., his siblings were Harriett Maude, born 1879 and Eliza Ann, born 1881, both siblings were born in Hinckley, Leics., in April 1881 the family home was at Derby Road, Hinckley, Leics. In March 1901 William was employed as a bricklayers labourer and was residing in the family home at 14, Coventry Road, Walton Terrace, Hinckley, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Harriett Maude, Joseph, born 1886, Marshall, born 1895, Ellen, born 1884, Eliza Ann, born 1890, Maria, born 1892, Florence, born 1897 and Beatrice, born 1901, all his siblings were born in Hinckley, Leics. In April 1901 William was employed as a general labourer and was residing in the family home at 86, Coventry Road, Hinckley, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Joseph, Eliza Ann, Maria, Marshall and Florence. He embarked for France in August 1916. The War Diary entry for events from the 24th to the 30th September 1916 records. East of TRONES WOOD. About 7.00pm on the 24th the Battalion marched up to take a position prior to making an attack the next day. Before they reached the position the enemy heavily shelled our men, several casualties resulting. At 12.30pm on the 25th the first attack was launched, the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT being in a position on the right of FLERS. The objective was the first German line, a distance of about a 1000 yards from the trench from which the Battalion launched the attack. The attack was made in waves, each platoon forming a wave, and 2 waves going over at a time. The attack was launched with splendid heroism, the first objective was gained in about ¾ of an hour, the men then stopped a short time to consolidate their gain, and to allow the artillery barrage to lift. They then pressed on to their second objective which was the village of GUEDECOURT. By the time they reached the village their ranks were sadly thinner, by the tremendous artillery barrage the enemy put up, and by machine guns which wrought terrible havoc. Never the less with dauntless gallantry they pressed on reaching the village and engaging the enemy in hand to hand fighting, which took place all the night. In the morning the 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT relieved the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT in the village, and the enemy were finally driven out. The 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT were brought back to the second line of trenches, where they were relieved by the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT on the 28th. They then went back to SWISS TRENCH where they remained until relieved on the night of October 1st.