W J Waldron Pte KSLI

The name is mispelled 'Wadron' on the Highley memorial.

William John Waldron was born in Kidderminster in 1893. He was the son of John Waldron, a coal miner, and his wife, Mary (Polly). In 1901 the family were living in Warley. Mary died soon afterwards and John remarried. It was probably at about this time that the family moved to Highley, living first at 13 Coronation Street and later at "West View", Church Street.

William had already joined the Army by the time of the 1911 census - which shows him living at the KSLI Depot at Copthorne, Shrewsbury. He served in the 1st Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry.

William went to France on the 10th September, 1914. He would have been with his battalion at The Actions on the Aisne Heights in 1914, The Action at Hooge in 1915 and The Somme in 1916. He was killed in action on the 29th January, 1917.

On January 1st, 1917 the battalion moved up into the first-line trenches north-east of Vermelles [near La Bassee]. . . The line in this sector was still quiet and the battalion continued the routine of four days in the line, four days in support and four days in reserve billets at Noyelles, throughout January. . . Casualties during the month were light, and inflicted mostly by snipers. [Wood p.37]

Private William Waldron, 9604 KSLI, is buried at Vermelles British Cemetery, France. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals and the 1914 Star.