Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Robert Alfred Alcock, a brick and tile company foreman, born 1864 in Horncastle, Lincolnshire and his wife Susan Alcock (nee Lister, married in the 4th quarter of 1884 in the Caistor, Lincolnshire district), born 1862 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. William Henry was a schoolboy and was born in the 3rd quarter of 1885 in Redbourne, Lincolnshire, his siblings were, Florence Lister, born 1887 and Ethel, born 1889, the latter two siblings were both born in Grimsby, in April 1891 the family home was in Hare Street, Clee with Weelsby, Caistor, Lincolnshire. In March 1901 William was employed as a brick burner and was residing in the family home in Woodford Hill, Thrapston, Northamptonshire, together with his father, a brickyard manager, his mother and siblings, Florence, Ethel and Frank, born 1898 in Grimsby. In April 1911 William was employed as a brickworks timekeeper and was residing in the family home at 32, Highfield Road, West Bridgeford, Nottinghamshire, together with his widowed father, a brickworks manager, and his siblings, Florence, a milliner, Ethel, a house keeper and Frank, a schoolboy. Robert married Edith A. Haynes in the 1st quarter of 1912 in the King’s Norton, Worcestershire district. Edith was born on the 28th January 1887 in Worcestershire. In 1939 William’s widow was employed as a domestic servant and was residing at The Homestead, Theddingworth, Leicestershire.
NOTE: The family information collated from census returns, birth, marriage and death records, although appearing to relate to this casualty, cannot be fully and conclusively corroborated with presently available information, and therefore may not relate to this casualty and/or his family.
William’s Army enlistment documents do not survive, all that is known of his military service is that he enlisted into the Army Service Corps, being allotted the service number R/4108754, at some point he was transferred as a Private to the Manchester Regiment, and it was while serving with the 12th Battalion of this regiment that he fell in action on the 12th October 1918. He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The War Diary records: 12 Oct-18 – The Commanding Officer and Adjutant attended Brigade Headquarters at 01.00 hrs and received orders for attack. Company and Platoon Commanders again met for final instructions from the Commanding Officer. 52nd Brigade attacked at 05.00hrs with two Battalions in front line (each Battalion with 2 Companies in front and 2 Companies in Support) 12th MANCHESTER REGIMENT on left, 9th DUKE OF WELLINGTON’S REGIMENT on right and 10th LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS in Support to mop up the village (NEUVILLY). The Brigade lined up on West side of RIVER SELLE the small trench where they had consolidated. This unfortunately involved a withdrawal to the level of the troops on our right (9th DUKE OF WELLINGTON’S REGIMENT) who had still failed to cross the Railway owing to enemy snipers in the village and along some parts of the Railway. Many casualties were caused during the withdrawal and previous bombardment and three Officers unfortunately were wounded and left in enemy hands. A line was now taken up at the RIVER SELLE, a little East of our starting front that morning and the enemy did not cause further trouble. During the day we took 1 Officer and 49 Other ranks prisoners and our casualties were 11 Officers and 269 Other ranks. In the evening the Brigade was relieved by 51st Brigade (SHERWWOD FORESTERS relieved MANCHESTER REGIMENT) and the Battalion went back to INCHY to billets, where hot food, blankets, greatcoats and c awaited the men, who were ready for any small comfort after one of the most strenuous days in the history of the Battalion.