Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Israel (Isaiah) Williams, a stone quarry worker, born 1859 in Frisby, Leicestershire, and his wife Frances Ann Williams (nee Rue, married in the 2nd quarter of 1882 in the Barrow Upon Soar, Leics. district), born 1854 in Quorn, Leicestershire. Henry James was a schoolboy and was born in the 2nd quarter of 1888 in Ratcliffe on Soar, Nottinghamshire., Henry was baptised on the 17th June 1888 in Holy Trinity Church, Ratcliffe on Soar, his siblings were, Leonard Binks, a schoolboy, born 1885 and Emily Gertrude, a schoolgirl, born 1887, both his siblings were born in Ratcliffe on Soar, also residing with the family was Henry’s cousin, Frances Ann Snowdon, a schoolgirl, born 1879 in Stockton on Tees, Yorkshire, in April 1891 the family home was at School Lane, Quorn, Leicestershire. In March 1901 Henry was residing in the family home at the Cottage, High Street, Quorn, together ith his father, a farm carter, his mother and siblings, Leonard, a granite stone quarry worker, Emily, an elastic weaver, Benjamin Clarence Rue, born 1892, Franklin Israel, born 1895 and Roland Andrew, born 1897, the latter three siblings were all born in Quorn. In April 1911 Henry was employed as a concrete labourer, and was residing in the family home at Barrow Road, Quorn, Leicestershire, together with his father, a farm labourer, his mother and siblings, Leonard, a railway drayman, Emily, an elastic web weaver, Benjamin, an elastic web weaver and Roland, an elastic web weaver.
On Saturday May 29th 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “THE WAR.” – ROLL OF HONOUR. – Mrs. Williams, of Quorn, has been notified that her son, Pte. Ben Williams, of the Northumberland Fusiliers, was wounded on May 6th, and is in hospital at Rouen. Mrs. Williams has another son in the Northumberland Fusiliers, another in the Navy, while a fourth, who was also serving the country, died of pneumonia at Aldershot at Christmas.
On Friday July 23rd 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – A QUORN FIGHTING FAMILY. Information has been received that Pte. R. Williams, 3803, Northumberland Fusiliers, the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Williams, of Quorn, has been wounded for the second time. Previously his injury was in the ankle, but now it is in the right forearm. He is at present in a hospital in Surrey. His brother, Lance Corporal F. I. Williams, 3575, Northumberland Fusiliers, is suffering from a gunshot wound and is in hospital in Kent. Another brother died at Aldershot some time ago, whilst undergoing training. Yet another brother is serving in the Navy.