19182 Lance Corporal William Ratcliffe
7th Battalion Border Regiment
14th December 1915
Gone but not Forgotten
Born in 1884 in Belmont near Bolton, Lancashire. He was baptised on 08/07/1885. His parents were Richard Ratcliffe (27/09/1857-1932) and Ellen Andrews (1851-1928). They were married in 1884.
William had 2 brothers, John ( born on 16/01/1886) and James (born in 1891). He also had a sister Jane (1885-1901).
In the 1891 census, the family were recorded as living at 120 High Street, Belmont near Bolton, Lancashire. Richard was employed as a general labourer.
The family were living at High Whittaker farm , Belmont by the time of the 1901 Census. William was now working as a
cloth dryer, while his father was employed as a stone mason.
Not long after the census was taken, tragedy was to hit the family with the sudden death of William's sister Jane.
The Factory Times, Friday, May 31, 1901
Voices from the spindle and the loom
Bolton
An Operative’s Sudden Death. – The Bolton county coroner (Mr. S.F. Butcher) held an inquest at the Black Bull, Belmont, on Monday, on the body of Jane Ratcliffe, aged 16, a measurer-off in the making-up room at Messrs. Deakins’s Longworth Bleach works. The girl was suddenly taken ill, and died before medical aid was obtained. Dr. Robinson’s post-mortem examination
showed death was due to septic peritonitis, and a verdict of death from “natural causes” was returned.
The 1911 census recorded that the family were still living at the same address. William was now working as a carter for a bleach works and his father was a general labourer for the Bolton Corporation.
When war broke out, William enlisted on 09/01/1915 in Bolton. On enlistment his details were as follows;
Apparent Age 26 years 210 days.
Height 5ft 9 inches Weight 170lbs
Chest Measurement - when fully expanded 40 inches, range of expansion - 3 inches.
Physical Development and pulse rate - good.
He joined the Border Regiment at their depot in Carlisle on 10/01/1915.
He was posted to 10th Battalion on 20/01/1915.
Whilst the Regiment was in Billericay, William was charged on 09/06/1915 that on 07/07/1915, when on active service, overstaying pass from10pm till reporting at 11pm 08/06/1915 (1-day 1hour). This was witnessed by Sergeant Long.
His punishment being admonished was awarded by Colonel Hitchins.
William was appointed unpaid Lance Corporal on 27/08/1915.
On 03/09/1915 he was posted to 7th Battalion and sent to France the same day.
He was killed in action on 14/12/1915.
The Bolton Evening News, Wednesday, January 19, 1916
First Belmont Hero to Fall
Mr and Mrs Ratcliffe, Whittam Farm Cottage, Belmont, have received letters from Captain T.L. Crosse and Second- Lieut. A.H. Crompton, 7th Border Regiment, B.E.F., stating that on December 14th, somewhere in France, their son, Lance-Corpl. William Ratcliffe, 19182, was killed by a shell.
In a letter the officers say that by his cheerful nature, Ratcliffe had made himself beloved by all the officers and men. “ He never failed to keep a smiling face, however trying the occasion, and he died a true soldier’s death.
We all sympathize with you in your great loss.”
This is the first Belmont lad who has been killed in action. In his memory a special service was held in the Parish Church, attended by the Belmont Brass Band, who played suitable music. Miss Sylvena Almond played the “Dead March” on the organ. The Vicar (the Rev. J.C. Campbell) preached a special sermon. Lance-Corpl. Ratcliffe’s name was on the Roll of Honour in the Church.
Before the war he was employed as a horseman by Messrs. Deakins Ltd., Belmont, and letters of kind expressions of sympathy have been sent to Mr. and Mrs. Ratcliffe by the firm.
His brother is P.S. (John)Ratcliffe of the Bolton Police Force.
His parents were awarded a pension of 5/- a week from 26/07/1916 on 04/08/1916.
William was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
His body originally buried in Menin Road North cemetery was exhumed an reburied in Menin Road South Cemetery on 08/08/1919.