Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of James William Aldwinckle, an agricultural labourer, born 1834 in Drayton, Leicestershire, who had been married to Lucy Aldwinckle (nee Driver, married in the 3rd quarter of 1852 in the Uppingham, Rutland district), born 1828 in Medbourne, Leicestershire, their children were, Jane, born 1853, John Henry, born 1855, George William, born 1856 and Rosalina, born 1859, all the children were born in Drayton, in April 1861 the family home was in Great Easton, Bringhurst, Leicestershire. In the 4th quarter of 1867 in the Uppingham, Rutland district, James’ wife died, aged 40. In April 1881, William’s widowed father was working as an agricultural labourer and was residing in the family home in Main Street, Medbourne, together with his Granddaughter Mary Louisa Aldwinckle, a schoolgirl, born 1873 in Drayton. In April 1891 William’s father was employed as an agricultural labourer and was residing in the family home at Old Road, Medbourne, together with his wife Harriet Ann Aldwinckle (nee Farmer, married in the 1st quarter of 1882 in the Uppingham, Rutland district ), born 1857 in Blaston, Leicestershire. William James, a schoolboy was born in the 4th quarter of 1884 in Medbourne, his siblings were, Harriet J., a schoolgirl, born 1887, Louisa Mary, born 1888 and Herbert, born in the 1st quarter of 1890 all his siblings were born in Medbourne. In the 1st quarter of 1895, in the Uppingham, Rutland district, William’s mother died, aged 38. In March 1901 William was employed as a farm labourer and was residing in the family home at Old Holt Yard, Medbourne, together with his widowed father, his brother Herbert and sister in law, Bertha E. Farmer, born 1882 in Medbourne and her son, Francis E. Farmer, born 1900 in Uppingham, Rutland. In April 1911 William was employed as a railway labourer and was residing as a lodger in Medbourne. In the 3rd quarter of 1913 William married Florence Reading in the Uppingham, Rutland district, Florence was born in 1885 in Medbourne, in the 3rd quarter of 1914 they had a daughter Violet M, who was born in the Rugby, Warwickshire district. In 1917 William’s widow resided at Railway Cottages, Cathiron, Rugby, Warwickshire. In the 2nd quarter of 1931, William’s widow married Herbert H. Payne in the Uppingham, Rutland district. William’s daughter Violet married Cecil J. Mee in the 3rd quarter of 1941 in the Market Harborough, Leicestershire district. William’s brother Herbert died in July 1916.
William attested into the Militia to serve an engagement of 6 years on the 8th September 1902 in Market Harborough. He gave his place of birth as Medbourne, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, his age as 18 years and 1 month and his trade or calling as labourer. His present employer being Mr. John Ashton, Lubenham, Market Harborough, Leicestershire. He gave his current home address as Medbourne, Leicestershire. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father James William Aldwinckle of Medbourne, Market Harborough, his younger brother Herbert Aldwinckle and sisters Harriet Jane Aldwinckle and Louise May Aldwinckle as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 3 inches in height, weighed 119 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 33 and 36 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was brown and he had brown eyes. He gave his religion as Congregational. He was pronounced fit for the Militia on the 9th September 1902 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 8365 on the 8/9/02. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and commenced 49 days drill on the 8/9/02. Discharged by purchase on the 22/9/02.
William attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement of 3 years with the Colours and 9 years in the Reserve on the 16th February 1904 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as Medbourne, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, his age as 19 years and 6 months and his trade or calling as farm labourer. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He stated that he had previously served with the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Militia) and had purchased his discharge. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 3¾ inches in height, weighed 129 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 34 and 37 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was dark brown and he had brown eyes. It was noted that he had a scar under his right hand index finger. He gave his religion as Congregational. He was pronounced fit for the Army on the 16th February 1904 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 7274 on the 16th February 1904. His widow was awarded a weekly pension of 18 shillings and 9 pence for herself and one child to commence on the 23rd April 1917. William’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 27-29 Sep-16 - GUEDECOURT. Battalion remained in same position. Nothing of importance occurred during this period. 48 casualties were sustained through shell fire.