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16143 Lance Corporal William Owen Mayers

9th(Service)Battalion

Devonshire Regiment

1st July 1916

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Born in Newton Abbot,Devon in 1878.

His parents were Robert John Mayers(1846-1921) and Caroline Foot(1843-1912). They married in 1868.

William had 2 brothers; Frank Foot(1877-24/02/1958) and Harry(25/03/1885-1977). He also had 2 sisters;

Laura Amelia Kate(14/01/1881-1972)

and May(born in 1883).

In the 1881 census the family were recorded as living at

2 Chester's place,Torquay, Devon. Robert was employed as a goods man.

In the 1891 census, the family were now recorded as living at 11 Moorland Terrace, Torquay,Devon. Robert was employed as a packer on the railway and William had started working as an errand boy.

In the 1901 census,the family could be found at the same address as the previous census. Both Robert and William were now employed as furniture packers.

In 1908 William married Alice Maud Kingcome(1871-1947) and they had 2 daughters , Kathleen(1911-2004) and Gwendoline Winifred(1913-2001).

In the 1911 census,William and his family were recorded as living at 17 John Street,Plymouth, Devon.

William was employed as a cartage checker with the Great Western Railway.         

In the Tuesday 19/12/1911 edition of the Western Morning News, they reported that William and another man were charged on remand from the 11th inst. with stealing five sides of bacon from the great Western Railway goods shed at Millbay. Both men pleaded guilty. William who was the chief offender was sentenced to 3 months hard labour. 

William enlisted in Plymouth and his date of disembarkation into France was on 17/08/1915.

He was killed in action on 01/07/1916.

The Western Times  reported that William had been killed in action on July 1st in their Tuesday 28/07/1916 edition.

He was awarded the 1914-1915 star,the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.

 

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