Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Thomas Canterford an unemployed lift man, born 1876 in Bethnal Green, Middlesex and his wife Annie Elizabeth Canterford (nee Caudwell/Candwell, married in the 3rd quarter of 1897 in the Poplar, Milddlesex district), born 1876 in Shadwell, Middlesex. William Thomas was born in the 3rd quarter of 1898 in Mile End Old Town, Middlesex, he had one sibling, a brother James, born 1901 in Mile End, in March 1901 the family were residing at 41, South Grove, Mile End Old Town, this being the family home of his paternal grandfather Richard Canterford a wine cellar man, born 1843 in Whitechapel, Middlesex and his wife Matilda Canterford (nee Lavender, married in the 2nd quarter of 1864 in the Whitechapel, Middlesex, district), born 1845 in St. Georges, London, and their children Albert, born 1883 in Old Ford, Middlesex, James, born 1886 and Maud, born 1889, the latter two children were both born in Mile End, also residing with the family was his cousin Richard Hodges, born 1897 in Mile End. In April 1911 William was absent from the family home at 22, York Place, Maroon Street, Limehouse, Middlesex, residing there was his father, a dock labourer, his mother and siblings, James, Maud, born 1903, Albert, born 1906, the latter two siblings were both born in Poplar, Middlesex, Edward, born 1908, George, born 1910 and Ellen, born 1911, the latter three siblings were all born in Mile End, William was employed as a gardener and part time scholar and was residing as an inmate at the Desford Industrial School, Desford, Leicestershire. The family later moved to reside in Bromley, Bow, Middlesex. In the 3rd quarter of 1916, William married Annie M. Bird in the Leicester district, Annie was born on the 9th December 1897. In the 3rd quarter of 1919, William’s widow Annie married William Naylor, in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district. William was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 9 Oct-17 – WINNEZEELE. From the tapes the Battalion moved up to the assembly position. Battalion not in position but attacked at 5.20am having as its objective the BLUE LINE. Map Ref LA PASSCHENDAELE 1/10,000 – D.12.a.30.20 – D.12.a.0.4 HAALEN COPSE inclusive. – Strength of Battalion 21 officers – 638 other ranks. (Map attached) (Orders attached).
10 Oct-17 – WINNEZEELE. Battalion in the line, holding position gained during the previous day and consolidated under heavy fire.
11 Oct-17 – WINNEZEELE. Battalion relieved in the line by the 42nd Battalion AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY – Relief commencing at 7.30pm. On relief the Battalion, after halting for breakfast moved by road to the Transport lines at VLAMERTINGHE. Total casualties during the operations.
Officers killed 2. Wounded 10.
Other Ranks killed 34. Wounded 229. Missing (believed wounded) 16. Died of wounds 8. Missing believed killed 17. Wounded at duty 51.
SECRET.
2/5 East Lancashire Regiment.
Order No. 17.
Map Reference. LA PASSCHENDAELE. 1/10000.
[1] INTENTION.
In conjunction with the 197th Infantry Brigade on the right, the 49th Division on the left, the 198th Infantry Brigade will attack on X day. Zero hour will be notified later.
[2] BOUNDARIES.
On the right – Road junction at D.16.b.60.65 inclusive to 197th Infantry Brigade. Group of dug-outs about TUS of AUGUSTUS WOOD inclusive to 197th Infantry Brigade. DESH WOOD inclusive to 198th Infantry Brigade. On the left D.10.c.7.5, D.10.b.55.00, the RAVBEEK. The 197th Infantry Brigade will direct. The 198th Infantry Brigade will be prepared to fill any gaps on their right, caused by the 197th Infantry Brigade having to keep on the YPRES – ROULERS RAILWAY.
[3] OBJECTIVE.
a. First objective (RED LINE)
HEINE HOUSE inclusive; AUGUSTUS WOOD inclusive.
WATERFIELD inclusive. D.10.g.60.05.
b. Final objective (BLUE LINE).
D.12.a.30.20; D.12.a.0.14. MAALEN COPSE inclusive, D.10.a.9.9.
Posts will be established approximately 100 yards in front of the final objective BLUE LINE.
[4] DETAIL.
The Battalion will take the 2nd objective (BLUE LINE) and will attack on a 2 Company front. The Battalion will form up behind the two left Companies of the 2/9th MANCHESTER REGIMENT and on the left of the 2/4th EAST LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. “A” Company behind “S” Company of the 2/9th MANCHESTER REGIMENT. “C” Company behind “D” Company of the 2/9th MANCHESTER REGIMENT and “D” Company behind our “A” Company and “B” Company behind our “S” Company. Each front line Company will have a frontage of 160 yards. The Battalion will be formed of 8 lines of 8 sections -?- first line acting as covering -?- at 5 posts in total. All detailed instructions have been issued -?- -?- per -?- will act as moppers up -?- be responsible for dealing with all dug-outs.
[5] BARRAGES.
a. The opening barrages. Zero to Zero plus 4 will be on straight line D.16.b.83.76 to D.10.c.93.61.
b. The moving barrage. Will be at the rate of 100 yards for six minutes up to the RED LINE and from the RED LINE to the BLUE LINE at the rate of 100 yards in eight minutes.
c. The RED and BLUE Protective Barrages will be placed approximately 200 yard in advance of the objectives to be consolidated.
Companies will be responsible for dealing with all enemy strong points short of the protective barrage after the objective (BLUE LINE) has been gained.
d. The RED Protected Barrage will be stationary for one hour and will lift at Zero plus 106.
e. As a signal to show when the barrage has become a protected barrage a proportion of smoke shells will be used.
[6] CONTACT AEROPLANES.
a. Aeroplanes will call for flares as follows:-
On RED LINE at Zero plus 60 minutes.
On BLUE LINE at Zero plus.
b. An aeroplane will call for flares from the front line as early as weather conditions permit.
[7] CONSOLIDATION.
The captured positions will be consolidated in depth in accordance with instructions already issued.
[8] MACHINE GUNS.
A Machine Gun Barrage will be superimposed on the artillery barrage.
[9] MEDICAL ARRANGEMENTS.
Regimental Aid Post will be established at BORDEAUX FARM D.15.d.56.75.
[10] BATTALION HEADQUARTERS.
Position of Battalion Headquarters will be notified later.
[11] SYNCHRONIZING.
An officer from each Company will be sent to Divisional Headquarters to synchronize watches 2 hours before Zero.
[12] ACKNOWLEDGE.
Signed F. Buckley, Lt. Adjt. 2/5 East Lancs. Regiment. 8/10/17.
Distribution:
Copy to:
[1] 198th Infantry Brigade.
[2] 2/4th East Lancashire Regiment.
[3] 2/10th -?- Regiment.
[4] 2/9th -?- Regiment.
[5] 23rd Machine Gun Company.
[6] 198th Light Trench Mortar Battery.
[7] “A” Company.
[8] “B” Company.
[9] “C” Company.
[10] “D” Company.
[11] Intelligence Officers.
[12] Medical Officer.
[13] Signalling Officers.
[14] Transport Officer.
[15] Regimental Sergeant Major.
[16] War Diary.
[17] Divisional Diary.
[18] File.
On Friday June 21st 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “WYMONDHAM.” – FALLEN HERO. – Mrs. Canterford, of this village, has suffered terrible suspense through not hearing from her husband since October last. Some time back she was informed he was missing. Nothing definite was heard until last week when she received the following:- “Record Office, Preston Station. Madam, - It is my painful duty to inform you that no further news having been received relative to (No.) 30076 Pte. William Thomas Canterford, 2/5 East Lancashire’s, who has been missing since 9th October, 1917, the Army Council have been regretfully constrained to conclude that he is dead, and that his death took place on the 9th October, 1917 (or since). I am to express to you the sympathy of the Army Council in your loss. Your obedient servant. S. Harwood, Captain.” Deceased leaves a young widow and little son.