STRATFORD William

Evesham Journal and Four Shires Advertiser, 23rd June 1917:
PTE. W. STRATFORD KILLED
A letter from the platoon sergeant has been received by the mother of Pte. W. Stratford, of the firm of Stratford Bros., Evesham, in which he says:- “I am very sorry to have to send you very bad news about 29805 Pte. W. Stratford, who was killed in the German old trenches on the 7th of this month. He died with a bullet wound in the stomach which he received after we had made a successful advance of a mile. He has been buried on the captured ground in a newly-formed cemetery for all the poor heroes who got killed in the push. I may say that, as his platoon sergeant, he was a good soldier and always willing to do his share, and more if necessary. He was always cheerful but never boisterous. I hope that you will accept the heartfelt sympathy of myself and all his comrades. I can assure you my platoon has sustained a great loss.” Pte. Stratford was a carpenter by trade, being apprenticed to Messrs. Espley & Co., Ltd., and worked for that firm a few years as a journeyman. Eleven years ago he joined the firm of Stratford Bro., butchers, of Bridge-street, Evesham. He joined the colours in March, 1916, and was drafted to the Worcesters, about twelve months ago going to France. Pte. Stratford was fond of music, and during his residence at Hampton was in the church choir. He was also a member of the Evesham Male 14 Voice Choir, and a year or two before joining the Army was a member of All Saints Choir, Evesham, being greatly respected by all the members.

(William was the son of Thomas and Margaret Beaufoy Stratford (nee Field) who were married in 1876.  Thomas died in 1888 and Margaret then married Edwin Hartland in 1896.)

A photograph of Private W. Stratford of Evesham can be found in Berrow’s Worcester Journal Supplement, Saturday 30th June 1917, available at Worcestershire Archives.

William Stratford has no known grave, the photograph available shows his name on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.