ROUSE William

The following information is courtesy of the researcher of the casualties on the Blockley War Memorials:
William was typical of many of those who fought in World War 1. As an agricultural labour and son of an agricultural labourer, he married a local girl and had children, volunteered to serve soon after war was declared, served abroad with his county regiment and lost his life in action.

William was born in Aston Magna in1883, the son of Charles, a labourer. He was at home in 1891 and 1901, working as an engine driver, presumably on a farm, on the latter date. In 1906 he married a local girl, Alice Peppard, and there were at least five children, three born in Aston Magna and two in Paxford where the family moved probably in 1910.

William served during World War 1 as a private with the Worcestershire Regiment, initially with the 4th, then the 1st Battalion. His service number is valid for enlistment in December 1914 or January 1915, well before the conscription of married men applied, in mid-1916. He must thus have been a volunteer. In August 1915 he was sent to the Balkans, presumably to join 4th Battalion, which had left for Gallipoli in March of that year. He must have been part of the evacuation of Gallipoli in 1916.

The battalion moved to France in March 1916 and at some point William must have transferred to the 1st Battalion, already there, for he was with them when he lost his life in action in October 1916.

From the Medals Card and Regimental Medals Rolls:
William Rouse
4th/Worcestershire Regt, 1st/Worcester Regt
Private, 20404
Victory and British medals
1915 Star (entry Balkans 29/8/15)
killed in action

Paxford War Memorial:
William Rouse, Private, 10/Gloucester Regt (sic), 20 October 1916