205918 Pte. William Henry Langford British Army 8th Btn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry from:Normanton, W Yorkshire (d.1st Jul 1916) My mother was 2 days from her first birthday when her father was killed. He had come from Storridge in Worcestershire with his brother George Ernest, when the coal mines in Wales closed down and they wanted and found work in the West Yorkshire coal fields, living in Normanton W Yorkshire and marrying 2 cousins there.
My mother knew little of her father because her mother told her he was blown to pieces and never found, and she, mother, married again but died when my mother was just 14, in Normanton W Yorkshire leaving mum to leave school to look after 5 children - her step brothers and sisters.
It wasn't until I began researching my family tree that I found a photo of 'grandad' and also that he had a grave near ALbert in N France, being killed on July 1st 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme.
I always promised mum I would take her there but sadly she died before I managed it................ BUT
On June 27th this year, I am going across with a trip arranged by the British legion, to stay in the Somme area/Albert and to visit the graveyard where grandad is buried and see his grave.I'll stay in the Union Jack Hotel in Waterloo London at each end of my trip.
I cannot wait - it will be very emotional and I will only visit once - mum will be with me in spirit and I can add my visit to my Family Tree, with pride and thanks.
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