Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Bolesworth, a stocking maker, born in the April quarter of 1839 in Hinckley, Leicestershire (son of William Bolesworth, 1808-1876 and Elizabeth Pincher, 1816-1891) and his wife Jane Ann Bolesworth (nee Stevens, married in the October quarter of 1870 in the Hinckley, Leicestershire district), a stocking maker, born 1851 in Desford, Leicestershire (daughter of Thomas Stephens and Mary Maria Hewins). William was born in the April quarter of 1879 in Hinckley, his siblings were, Mary Jane, a schoolgirl, born in the July quarter of 1871, Thomas Henry, a schoolboy, born in the October quarter of 1872, Harriett, a schoolgirl, born on the 24th April 1874, Adeliza, a schoolgirl, born in the January quarter of 1876, Elizabeth, born in the January quarter of 1878 and Florence, born on the 8th November 1880, all his siblings were born in Hinckley, in April 1881 the family home was at 4 Spring Hill, Hinckley. In April 1891 William was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at 6, Workhouse Yard, Stockwell Head, Hinckley together with his father, a gardener, his mother and siblings, Mary, a hosiery trade worker, Harriet, a hosiery trade worker, Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, Florence, a schoolgirl, John (Jack), a schoolboy, born on the 20th June 1884, James, born in the October quarter of 1885, George, born in the January quarter of 1887 and Sydney, born in the October quarter of 1888, the latter four siblings were all born in Hinckley. In March 1901 William was employed as a shoe trade finisher and was residing in the family home at 17, Spring Gardens, Hinckley, together with his wife Enid Bolesworth (nee Luckett, married on the 24th January 1898 in St. Mary’s Church, Hinckley), a hosiery winder, born on the 1st February 1880 in Banbury, Oxfordshire (daughter of James Luckett, 1836-1876 and Amelia Hutchings, 1842-1888) and their children, George, born on the 26th February 1898 and baptised on the 20th March 1898 in Hinckley and Walter, born on the 31st August 1899 and baptised on the 15th October 1899 in Hinckley, both children were born in Hinckley. In April 1911 William was employed as a farm labourer and was residing in the family home at 17, Waterloo Square, Hinckley, together with his wife and children, George and Walter. William’s father died aged 73 years on the 29th September 1912 in Hinckley. William lost two brothers during the war, James fell in action on the 15th September 1916 and Sydney fell in action on the 1st October 1917.
FAMILY NOTE: William also had the following younger siblings, Rachael Ann, born in the April quarter of 1892 and Walter, born on the 20th May 1899, both siblings were born in Hinckley.
William enlisted/attested into the Militia on the 23rd November 1904 in Hinckley, and was allotted the regimental service number 9132. He gave his place of birth as Hinckley, Leicestershire and age as 24 years 6 months. His marital status was given as married and his trade or calling as shoe hand, presently in the employ of Mr. Mellor, Hinckley, Leicestershire. He gave his present address as Hinckley, Leicestershire.
He confirmed that he had previously served with the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Discharged Time Expired).
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 24 years 6 months, height 5-feet 10⅛ inches weight 148 lbs, chest measurement of between 35½ and 38 inches his complexion was described as fresh, he had brown eyes and his hair colour was black. The following distinctive marks were noted, anchor left forearm. He gave his religion as Roman Catholic.
He was certified as fit for the Militia. Date 23rd November 1904. Place Leicester.
He gave his next of kin as his wife Enid, 17, Spring Gardens, Hinckley. Sons, George and Walter.
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.
Attested. 22/11/04.
Posted. To 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 22/11/04
Commenced. 49 days drill training. 22/11/04.
Discharged by purchase. 6/6/05.
William enlisted/attested into the Army Reserve (Special Reservists) on the 3rd October 1908 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 10061. He gave his place of birth as Hinckley, Leicestershire and age as 28 years 4 months. His marital status was given as married and his trade or calling as hosiery hand.
He confirmed that he was presently serving with 5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 3rd October 1908 and recorded his birthplace as Hinckley, Leicestershire, declared age as 28 years 4 months, trade or occupation as hosiery hand, that he was 5-feet 10 inches in height, weighed 151 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 35 and 37½ inches, his vision was described as R.9. L.12 his physical development was described as good. Enlisted at Leicester on the 3rd October 1908. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regt.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 28 years 4 months, height 5-feet 10 inches weight 151 lbs, chest measurement of between 33 and 35½ inches, he had brown eyes and his hair colour was dark brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, tattoo mark anchor outer aspect of left forearm. He gave his religion as Roman Catholic.
He was certified as fit for the Army Reserve. Date 3rd October 1908. Place Leicester.
He gave his next of kin as his wife, Enid, children, Walter and George, 17, Spring Gardens, 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. 3/10/08.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 3/10/08.
Commenced. Special course of training. 3/10/08.
Attended. Musketry course. 24/4/09.
Attended. Annual training. 24/5/09 – 7/6/09.
Attended. Annual training. 6/9/10 – 26/9/10.
Attended. Annual training. ?/?/11.
Attended. Annual training. 29/7/12 – 24/8/12.
Attended. Annual training. ?/?/13.
Attended. Annual training. 27/7/14 – 4/8/14.
Mobilized. 5/8/14.
Promoted Corporal. 8/8/14.
Embarked. 9/11/14.
Joined. 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field.
Wounded in action. In the Field. 13/5/15.
Admitted. No.8 Casualty Clearing Station, gunshot wound to head. In the Field. 13/5/15.
Died of wounds. In the Field. 13/5/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 5/8/14 – 8/11/14. 96 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 9/11/14 – 13/5/15. 186 days.
Total Service. 282 days.
He was awarded the 1914 Star with Clasp & Rose, 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.
On the 10th December 1915, William’s widow Enid Bolesworth of 41, Rugby Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire, was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of thirteen shillings commensurate on the 6th December 1915, this was increased on the 4th April 1917 to fifteen shillings.
On the 5th December 1916 an additional five shillings was made available for their disabled son George, who was later moved to the Asylum at Narborough, Leicestershire. On the 16th March 1918, William’s widow married George Richardson, a civilian, and a remarriage gratuity of thirty-two pounds eleven shillings and five pence was paid to her.
The War Diary records: 12 May-15 - (Weds) 6 men wounded in B Coy by a rifle grenade, 4 men by a shell. 12 shells fired.
The War Diary records: 13 May-15 - (Thurs) Quiet all day.
On Saturday June 5th 1915, The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “THE WAR.” – HINCKLEY RESERVIST’S DEATH. – A Family’s Fighting Record. – News has been received at Hinckley of the death from wounds of Corporal William Bolesworth, of the 2nd Leicester’s, brother of the local boxing celebrity, “Togo” Bolesworth. Until shortly before the declaration of war Bolesworth was employed at the power station of the Leicestershire and Warwickshire Electric Power Company at Hinckley. He was 36 years of age, and leaves a widow and two sons, one of whom, despite tender years, enlisted a few weeks ago. The deceased was a reservist, and was in the last week of his time when called up. The Bolesworth family have quite a remarkable fighting record. Of four brothers with the colours, three have been fighting since shortly after the declaration of war, including “Togo” (Sid), of boxing fame. In addition, the mother, Mrs. Bolesworth, has five grandsons, with the colours, and one son in law. Four of them are with the Leicester’s, and two with the Warwick’s. All are of sterling physique and fighting qualities.
On Friday June 18th 1915, The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “THE ROLL OF HONOUR.” –MORE CASUALTIES AMONG YEOMANRY. The following casualties in the 1st Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment are reported from Base under date 29th May: -
DIED OF WOUNDS.
Bolesworth, 10061, Corpl. W., Groome, 5888, Lance Corpl. J.
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