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212379 Pte. William Hanley British Army 1/16th QWR Btn. London Regiment (d.1st July 1916) The family story is that Billy Hanley was shot on the 1st July 1916 but he did make it back to the Trench as his pocket watch was returned from the front.
William Hanley was the son of John and Mary Hanley of 18 Strand Street Enniskillen Co Fermanagh NI. Additional Information: | Volunteered with the Q.W.R. on 20-3-1915 as Rifleman #3907 (home address on enlistment - Walthamstow, London).
Assigned on enlistment to the Regiment's 3rd Battalion for training.
To France to join the Regiment's 1ST Battalion with a reinforcement draft in September 1915.
Fell in action 1 July 1916 during the assault by the 1ST Q.W.R. on the Gommecourt Salient on the 1st day of the infantry attack of the Somme offensive.
No known grave. His name has only recently been accepted by the War Graves Commission as a WW1 casualty having been since the 1920's absent from their records thru an administrative oversight. His current war grave status is available by viewing his recently added entry on their Register (available online).
Books to read:
War History of the Queen's Westminster Rifles (1923), J.Q. Henriques.
'Pro Patria Mori' (2006) by Alan Macdonald.
Ajax Bardrick
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| I have since found out that William is in a grave with the incorrect marker this has come down to me via the family and is un proven, however if you look up W. Handley 1942 at the CWCG you will I fact find the grave is registered to William Hanley 3907 and in the other document a notation makes as not in for W. Handley 1942.
You will all need to make your own mind up on the fact presented, however the CWCG do not accept that William Hanley 3907 is in the plot.
David Hanley
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