William (Willie) Robert Waters

Born: 1898

Died: 12 April 1917

Rank and Regiment: Private TR/10/21665 in the 10th Battalion of the East Surrey Regiment (30th Battalion, Training Reserve).

Resting Place: St. Peter and St. Paul (West), Barnham Broom, Norfolk

Memorials: St. Peter and St. Paul, Barnham Broom, United Kingdom

Willie was born in 1898 in Barnham Broom to parents William and Rosa Waters (nee Harris). The couple married on 16th September 1897 in Wymondham. In 1901, 2-year-old Willie lived with his parents, his younger sisters, Rosa and Alice, as well as his grandparents, Robert and Sarah and his uncle, Robert. 10 years later, he and Rosa attended the local school, whilst Alice and his two younger siblings, Margaret and Herbert remained at home.

As war broke out, he enlisted in Attleborough shortly after his 18th birthday and was placed in the 10th Battalion of the East Surrey Regiment. He did however have a short war as he died at Military Hospital, Western Heights in Dover on the 12th April 1917 aged 18. The cause of his death was given as bronchopneumonia which can arise from any number of events. It is quite possible, given his youth, that young Willie never got to fight at all.

He was buried the churchyard at St Peter and St Paul Barnham Broom to the west of the church. Against his name in the Burial Register is entered the description “Soldier”. His effects of £2. 9s. 4d. were declared “not admissible” by the army and were not passed onto his family.

He is commemorated on the Barnham Broom War Memorial.

St Peter and St Paul, Barnham Broom