Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Orridge a farm wagoner, born 1867 in Thringstone, Coalville, Leicestershire and his wife, Agnes Bertha Orridge (nee Platts, married in the 1st quarter of 1890 in the Basford, Nottinghamshire district), born 1867 in Wysall, Nottinghamshire. William Oliver was born in 1896 in Wysall and was baptised on the 27th September 1896 in Holy Trinity Church, Wysall, his siblings were, John H., born 1888 in Whitwick, Leicestershire, Samuel Harry, born 1890 and Bertram Percival Argyle Aldridge, born 1892, and was baptised on the 11th November 1894 in Holy Trinity Church, Wysall, the latter two siblings were both born in Basford, Nottinghamshire, Dorothy Mary, born 1894 in Wysall, and was baptised on the 11th November 1894 in Holy Trinity Church, Wysall and Alfred Jeffcote, born 1898 in Bunny, Nottinghamshire, in March 1901 the family home was at The Moors (Smiths Barn) Gotham, Nottinghamshire. In April 1911 William was employed as a pony driver and was residing in the family home at Monk Lane, Gotham, together with his father now a plaster miner and his mother and siblings, Samuel, a plaster miner, Alfred a schoolboy, George Wallace, a schoolboy, born 1902, Sabrina May, a schoolgirl, born 1906 and Beatrice Elizabeth, born 1909, the latter three siblings were all born in Gotham.
William attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War.) on the 13th September 1915 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. He gave his home address as Deepdale Farm, Little Dalby, Melton Mowbray, his age as 19 years and 21 days and his trade or calling as bottle washer. He gave his place of birth as Wysall, Nottinghamshire. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father John Orridge of Deepdale Farm, Little Dalby, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 3 inches in height, weighed 120 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 31 and 34 inches. His physical development was described as good, his vision was shown as 6/6 and he stated that he had never been vaccinated. He was pronounced fir for Army service on the 13th September 1915 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 10/23778 on the 16/10/15. Anti typhoid innoculation administered at Cannock Chase on the 10/10/15. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 15/3/16. Posted to the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 16/3/16. Proceeded to join the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 1/4/16. Joined the 9th Battalion, in the field on the 2/4/16. The following information was provided by William’s mother Agnes Bertha Orridge on the 2nd September 1919, and was witnessed and signed by James -?-, J.P. for the County of Leicestershire, -?-, Melton Mowbray on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, John Orridge of 30, King Street, Melton Mowbray. Mother of soldier, Agnes Bertha Orridge of 30, King Street, Melton Mowbray. Full blood brothers of soldier, John Orridge, age 31 of Shirebrook, Derbyshire. Samuel H. Orridge, age 29 of Burton Lazars. Bertram Orridge, age 27 of Codford St. Mary, Wiltshire. George H. Orridge, age 18 of 30, King Street, Melton Mowbray. Thomas Isaac Orridge, age 6 of 30, King Street, Melton Mowbray. Full blood sisters of soldier, Dorothy Mary Sharpe, age 25 of 30, King Street, Melton Mowbray. Sabrina Mary Orridge, age 15 of 30, King Street, Melton Mowbray. Beatrice Elizabeth Orridge, age 11 of 30, King Street, Melton Mowbray. 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.
On Friday August 17th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS” The following local casualties are reported in the official list issued for publication. From Sunday’s list.- PREVIOUSLY REPORTED MISSING, NOW REPORTED KILLED. LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. Orridge, 23778 W. C. (Melton Mowbray).
The War Diary records: 17 Jun-17 - TRENCHES. Orders received to carry on with wiring the front line and the construction of posts and repair of trenches which had been much damaged by early fire. During the night the 12th/13th the NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS were relieved and Companies dispositions were as follows:- “C” Company on right. “A” and “D” Companies in BURG TRENCH from U.13.t.9.1. to junction CURRANT LANE and BURG TRENCH. “B” Company in LINCOLN TRENCH. During the nights of the 16th/17th and 17th/18th June LINCOLN TRENCH was heavily shelled causing casualties. Instructions were received that the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT would carry out an attack on TUNNEL TRENCH from LUMP LANE to U.7.d.6.6. (approximately) and that 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT would push forward strong patrols to the watershed to open a heavy fire on TUNNEL TRENCH at ZERO. Orders for attack were subsequently cancelled and Battalion was ordered to resume work on wire etc. Strong patrols were pushed forward to bring in wounded NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
William Oliver Orridge is also commemorated on the parish memorial, St Lawrence, Gotham, Nottinghamshire. (see Nottinghamshire County Council website; Great War Roll of Honour). William and his parents lived in the village at the time of the 1911 Census.
Note: he had another brother, Thomas Isaac b. 1913 (reg. Basford, Notts)

Submitted by R. Farrand in 2020