204858 Pte. William Joseph Law 11th Battallion (Pioneers) from:22 Balmoral Terrace, Felling, Co.Durham (d.3rd Sept 1916) My grandfather William Joseph Laws (correct name Law)was a miner at Heworth Colliery. He enlisted 31st August 1914, then aged 27 years 4 months. Entered the field of operations (France) on the 20th July 1915. In May & June 1916 he was treated for spinal fever at St. Omer. On Sunday 3rd September 1916, at the Battle of Guillemont,he was killed by a single bullet which pierced a photograph of himself which he carried in his battledress pocket. I have that photograph. He is buried in Plot 7, Row B, Guillemont Cemetery, France. The Battle of Guillemont was a subsidiary attack of the Somme offensive. With its maze of underground tunnels, dugouts and concrete emplacements it was a tough nut to crack. In the Second World War one of his sons, also named William Joseph Law joined the 9th Battalion D.L.I. (Private 4454416)and was also killed-in-action at Vimy Ridge, near Arras, on the retreat to Dunkirk. His name appears on the Dunkirk Memorial, Nord, France which commemorates those soldiers of the British Expeditionary Force who have no known grave.
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