Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Finney, a publican and professional cricketer, born 1866 in Welshpool, Montgomeryshire, Wales and his wife Catherine Finney (nee Weatherstone, married in the 2nd quarter of 1893 in the Oakham, Rutland district), born 1871 in Barleythorpe, Rutland., William Henry was born in the 1st quarter of 1896 in Knossington, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Dorothy Kate, born 1894 in Skeffington, Leicestershire and Charles Geoffrey, born in the 1st quarter of 1898 in South Luffenham, Rutland, in March 1901 the family home was at The Durham Ox Inn, South Luffenham. In April 1911 William was employed as a farm labourer and was residing as a servant at Cuckoo Farm, Ketton, Rutland. William was recorded to have been killed in action between the 21st March and the 3rd April 1918, this was of course during the German Spring Offensive during which time the British Army was forced into a series of rearguard actions as they were driven back in what was to be the last major advance by the German Armies, the War Diary entries for the period show no Other Rank casualties, but it is obvious that casualties would have been sustained on a daily basis, conjecture would have it that he fell between the 21st and 23rd March when his Battalion was engaged in the vicinity of Villers Faucon, given that he was interred in the cemetery near that village, but no positive evidence can link his location or the definite date when he fell in action. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals. William’s younger brother Charles also fell in action.
The War Diary records: 21 Mar-18 – HEM. Working as on previous day. At midday orders were received to move. Parties recalled. Battalion marched off at 2.30. At CLERY. Details to be left out of line were sent with Transport to GURLU WOOD. Battalion proceeded in Motor Lorries to the support of the MUNSTER and LEINSTER FUSILIERS at VILLERS FAUCON. Battalion debussed 1 mile from the village and marched to a sunken road where they rested for three hours. Here the Battalion took up position in support South of the level crossing in front of VILLERS FAUCON. From this position “A” and “C” Companies were sent to reinforce the front line. Battalion Headquarters and “B” and “D” Companies remained in support. 2nd Lieutenant I. MEU missing.
The War Diary records: 22-23 Mar-18 – VILLERS FAUCON. 7.00am. “C” Company took part in a counter attack driving the enemy back a short distance but were forced to retire owing to being outflanked on the right. About 11.00am the Battalion were ordered to withdraw and take up position 400 yards behind the village. This position was held until the 1/1st HERTFORDSHIRE REGIMENT had passed through and at 2.00pm Battalion withdrew to GREEN LINE in front of TINCOURT WOOD. Here the Battalion reorganised and took up a position on a ridge on left of BUSSU behind TINCOURT WOOD. 13th ROYAL SUSSEX REGIMENT on right and 1/1st HERTFORDSHIRE REGIMENT on left. 13th ROYAL SUSSEX REGIMENT were outflanked and forced to retire, covered by our fire.
The War Diary records: 23 Mar-18 – BUSSU. About 9.00am Battalion withdrew to a position on high ground North of ST. DENIS and at 3.00pm we were forced to retire to rear of MONT ST. QUENTIN. Held this position for 2 hours allowing Transport to withdraw to CLERY. Then withdrew up SOMME VALLEY and crossed the river at BUSCOURT. Later Battalion received orders to march to Brigade Headquarters at FEULLEURS. 11.00pm received orders to cross river at FRISE and take up position at HEM RIDGE. Officers wounded Major C. A. ALLEN, Captain L. A. BAKER, Captain C. A. G. BURGESS, Lieutenant and Quartermaster B. F. SWAIN. Missing, Captain A. CRASSWALLER and 2nd Lieutenant A. BROOKER. Wounded, 2nd Lieutenant J. R. BAKER, 2nd Lieutenant H. ETHERTON (missing).
The War Diary records: 24 Mar-18 – HEM. Battalion here held position until the LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT had passed through and then withdrew to FEULLEURS. Instructions received to collect together transport at HERBECOURT where Major General FEETHAM gave instructions that we should take up position at HEM under Lieutenant Colonel W. C. MILLWARD, at 4.00pm we withdrew to CURLU where Battalion were relieved by 35th Division. Transport at CAPPY. Killed Captain W. J. FAST. Wounded, Lieutenant I. M. CAMPBELL. Missing, Captain C. LAPWORTH, 2nd Lieutenant A. R. NORRIS, 2nd Lieutenant J. W. MARTIN, 2nd Lieutenant J. W. GIBBS.
The War Diary records: 25 Mar-18 – HEM. Battalion moved by route march via SUZANNE and CAPPY to CHUIGNOLLES where remainder of day was spent in reorganising. Commanding Officer, 2nd Lieutenant J. A. DAVIDSON, Lieutenant P. D. WILMOT missing.
The War Diary records: 26 Mar-18 – CHUIGNOLLES. 7.00am Battalion moved forward and took up position in reserve at WOOD South East of CHUIGNIES. Joined by the 13th ROYAL SUSSEX REGIMENT and the 1/1st HERTFORDSHIRE REGIMENT and later withdrew through CHUIGNOLLES to valley North of PROYART where the Brigade assembled to proceed to a Farm on the AMIENS Road North of HARBONNIEURES. Took up position South of Main Road supported by 4 Vickers Machine Guns. 2nd Lieutenant’s A. H. E. GUNNER and E. C. PIPER killed.
The War Diary records: 27 Mar-18 – At midday 118th Brigade passed through our position and proceeded in direction of BAYONVILLERS. At 2.00pm the 8th Division launched a successful counter attack across our front re-establishing the PROYART – FRAMMERVILLE LINE. Transport moved from HAMEL to GENTELLES.
The War Diary records: 28 Mar-18 – At 9.00am Battalion received orders to withdraw through HARBONNIEURES where we joined the 1/1st HERTFORDSHIRE REGIMENT and continued through CAIX to CAYEUX. Here the Division concentrated at 12 noon. The Brigade then took up a position on high ground facing WIENCOURT which was occupied by the enemy.
The War Diary records: 29 Mar-18 – 1.00am. Orders received to withdraw to IGNACOURT where Battalion rested till daylight later took up position in sunken road due North of AUBERCOURT. At 10.00am ordered to take up position in sunken road South of COURCELLES. Here Battalion was joined by the 13th ROYAL SUSSEX REGIMENT. Lieutenant Colonel W. C. MILLWARD D.S.O. (Acting Brigadier General) wounded.
The War Diary records: 30 Mar-18 – 6.00am. Enemy attacked Battalion on right and forced them to retire. We formed a defensive flank and held on until 7.00am when enemy got behind our right flank and forced us to withdraw through AUBERCOURT to the Army Line North West of village. Held this position till 11.00am when enemy enfiladed us from high ground and other side of River and finally forced us to retire to sunken road, VILLERS BRETONNEUX – AUBERCOURT road. At 12 noon we withdrew to line held by 13th GLOUCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT on high ground immediately in front of BOIS de HANGARD. 2nd Lieutenant F. BURTON wounded. 2nd Lieutenant’s A. W. NEALE and C. T. SQUIRES (missing).
The War Diary records: 31 Mar-18 – Consolidated line held on previous day and later was relieved by the 18th Division. Lieutenant H. W. BADCOCK and 2nd Lieutenant R. V. ELLIS rejoined Battalion. Captain P. F. DREW M.C. Commanding Officer.
The War Diary records: 1 Apr-18 – CLERY. Battalion in rest billets at CLERY. Day devoted to re-organisation and cleaning up. COMMAND. Commanding Officer, Captain P. F. DREW M.C., Second in Command, Captain H. AMON, M.C., Adjutant, Captain E. L. NEALE, M.C., “A” Company, Lieutenant Y. G. V. BADCOCK. “B” Company, 2nd Lieutenant J. A. DAVIDSON, “C” Company, 2nd Lieutenant R. V. ELLIS, “D” Company, 2nd Lieutenant H. M. GEARY.
The War Diary records: 3 Apr-18 – AUMONT. Battalion paraded at 8.30am and marched to billets at AMATRE a distance of 18 kilometres.
On Friday May 3rd 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “KNOSSINGTON.” – LOCAL SOLDIER KILLED. – Yet another brave Knossington lad has been killed in action in France, some time between March 23rd and April 3rd, news of which has reached the family of No. 1684 Pte. William Finney. He joined up soon after the outbreak of hostilities, receiving the greater part of his training at Bexhill-on-Sea. From there he was transferred to France, and had been in the thick of the fighting for the past two years. He came home on leave in January last. Deceased was twenty two years of age. He was of an extremely happy and buoyant disposition, and was a favourite among all he came in contact with. The deepest sympathy is expressed for all his relations.