Dedicated to the memory of all the men and women of the Bridgnorth area who died during the two World Wars.

William Pursehouse (1887 - 1918)

William Pursehouse was born in Worfield in 1887 where he was baptized at the Parish Church on 30th October. He was the son of Charles Pursehouse, a road labourer, and his wife Mary Ann. The family lived at Hilton.

In 1911, William was still single and living with his parents at Hilton, working as a garden labourer. He may have been engaged to the Rose Cocksedge, spinster, who was granted Probate of his Will in 1919.

William enlisted at Bridgnorth, originally joining the Shropshire Light Infantry as Private 22307. He was transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment with whom he served in Salonika. He died (probably of natural causes) on 6th August, 1918 and is buried at the Kirechkoi-Hortakoi Military Cemetery. This cemetery served three large military hospitals in Salonica. William may have been an early victim of the Spanish 'flu which accounted for the majority of burials there.

Private William Pursehouse, 315727, Cheshire Regiment, was awarded the Victory and British Medals.

This memorial has mostly been compiled from official sources. It would be good to be able to expand it with more personal material - memories, stories, photos, etc. If you have any suitable material or any corrections please contact Greg. For news of updates follow @BridgnorthHeros on Twitter.