Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Weed, a head gardener, born on the 2nd May 1869 in Easton on the Hill, Northamptonshire (son Ann Weed, 1847) and his wife Charlotte Weed (nee Allen, married in the October quarter of 1890 in the Uppingham, Rutland district), born on the 29th February 1868 in Polebrook, Northamptonshire and baptised on the 2nd June 1868 in All Saint’s Church, Polebrook (daughter of Jonas Allen, 1840 and Jane Hull, 1841). Willie, a schoolboy, was born on the 15th June 1891 in Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire and baptised on the 15th July 1891 in St. Matthew’s Church, Sutton Bridge, his siblings were, Edith Florence, a schoolgirl, born in the October quarter of 1893 in Sutton Bridge and baptised on the 1st October 1893 in St. Matthew’s Church, Sutton Bridge and Mabel Gertrude, born on the 6th January 1900 in East Stockwith, Lincolnshire and baptised on the 28th January 1900 in St. Peter’s Church, East Stockwith, in March 1901 the family home was at The Square, Main Street, Barnack, Northamptonshire.
In April 1911 William was absent from the family home at Ketton, Rutland, residing there was his father, a domestic gardener, his mother and siblings, Mabel, a schoolgirl and Ernest Edward, born on the 6th January 1903 in Barnack, meanwhile William was employed as a domestic gardener and was residing as a boarder at Langham, Rutland.
Willie’s army service enlistment documents do not survive, therefore the currently available information pertaining to his military service has been obtained from the following sources: - 1921 HMSO Publication, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914 - 1919, WW1 Service Medal and Award Rolls, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Registers.
Enlisted/Attested in Menai Bridge, Anglesey, Wales into the Regular Army. 4/11/14.
Joined. At Depot Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Date not known.
Posted. To Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Pte. Date not known.
Allotted the Regimental Service number 16913.
Posted. To 13th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Pte. Date not known.
First entered the theatre of war in France. 1/12/15.
Promoted. To Lance Corporal. In the Field. Date not known.
Killed in action. In the Field. 10/7/16.
Buried in Tincourt New British Cemetery, Somme, France. Headstone inscription. “Grant unto him, eternal rest.”
Awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In the event of his death, Willie nominated his father, William as his sole legatee.
The War Diary records: 10 July-16 – MAMETZ. 4.45am. 38th Division attacked MAMETZ WOOD.
Disposition of forces – Right flank: - From centre side of wood to extreme East side of wood, 147th Brigade.
Left flank: - From centre side to West side of wood, 113th Brigade.
Formation: - 113th Brigade in 8 lines at 100 yards per Battalion, the 16th ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS 1st line being formed up North of WHITE TRENCH.
Captain E. W. LAWRENCE ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS, 2nd Lieutenant A. H. S. BARRETT and Lieutenant H. VIVIAN-JONES were killed in action while Captain’s L. S. AYER and F. R. G. THOMAS were wounded.
On Friday 4th, August 1916, The Lincoln, Rutland and Stamford Mercury published the following article on page 2, under the heading. – KETTON. – KILLED IN BATTLE. – News has been received that lance-corp. William Weed, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Weed, Chapel-lane, was killed in action on the 11th inst. Aged 25, deceased joined the Army shortly after war broke out. An expert gardener, he had the distinction of being a member of the Royal Horticultural Society, and prior to donning khaki held a good position at Llanfair, Isle of Anglesey, A memorial service was conducted at the church of Friday evening by the Vicar (Rev. A. H. Snowden). The organist (Mr. G. Hibbins) played music appropriate to the occasion.
A biography reproduced from the 1920 publication, Rutland & the Great War, compiled by G. Phillips records the following: - He was an expert gardener having passed examinations which entitled him to the distinction of being a Fellow of the Horticultural Society. He held a good position at Llanfair on the Isle of Anglesey, at the time the war broke out, and previously was with his father in the gardens at the Priory, Ketton. He joined the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, November 4th, 1914, and was promoted to Lance Corporal in February, 1915. He went out to France December 1st,1915, took part in the Battle of the Somme, and was killed by a shell during the terrible fighting in Mametz Wood, July 10th, 1916. The Royal Welsh Fusiliers did that day deeds that covered them with undying glory. Before going into action, they sang a hymn in Welsh, upon which the Colonel addressed them saying: - “Boys, make your peace with God! We are going to take that position, and some of us won’t come back. But we are going to take it.” Tying his handkerchief to his stick, he added, “This will show you where I am.” He was hit as he waved them on with his impromptu flag; but he rose, advanced, was hit again, and fell dead. At 6.30 that evening the south east of the wood had been cleared, and the Welshmen, flushed with success, were swarming out of the central ride. Lance Corporal Weed was a member of the Church of England’s Men’s Society, and the Llanfair members sent his parents an illuminated memorial card. His Commanding Officer writing to his parents said: - “He was an excellent soldier and fought as such. In your sorrow you have one consolation—your soldier son died fighting for his country in history’s greatest war.” A comrade writes: - “He was a hero, a silent hero, one of those who have paved the way to the British victory.
[recognitum VI-XI-MMXXIV]