William died at the 47th Casualty Clearing Station situated at Picquigny suffering from many wounds received on the 21/04/1918. The role of the Siege Battery - Siege Batteries Royal Garrison Artillery were equipped with heavy howitzers, sending large calibre high explosive shells in high trajectory, plunging fire. The usual armaments were 6 inch, 8 inch and 9.2 inch howitzers, although some had huge railway- or road-mounted 12 inch howitzers. As British artillery tactics developed, the Siege Batteries were most often employed in destroying or neutralising the enemy artillery, as well as putting destructive fire down on strongpoints, dumps, store, roads and railways behind enemy lines. William was a distinguished vocalist and appeared on numerous occasions at concert parties at Drumpellier Hospital. William was in the Army Reserve from enlistment until the 18/09/1916. He was then in training at home until the 09/09/1917. While in training at Plymouth he appeared at many church services attended by the soldiers. In his Will dated 05/09/1917 William left the whole of his property and effects to his mother Mary. These included letters, photos, cards, black scarf, wristlet watch, guard and strap and a mirror. See Newspaper clippings for letter to Williams' mother from his Chaplain. Grave photo kindly donated by Mick McCann at the British War Graves website who supply photos FREE OF CHARGE
here. William is also remembered on the Coats Parish Church Roll of Honour and at the Family Plot in New Monkland Cemetery (see photos). See photos for William's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, another photo of William's grave, Picquigny British Cemetery, William's Service Record x 14, his Pension Record and the Royal Garrison Artillery Cap Badge. William's grave inscription reads "NOT DEAD TO US WE LOVE YOU DEAR NOT LOST, BUT GONE BEFORE".
