William was born on 22 February 1891in Saxlingham Nethergate. His parents were William and Alice Moore (nee Wilson) At the time of his birth the family were living on Pitts Hill, Saxlingham. His father was a bricklayer. He came from a large family.
John Frederick Wilson (half- brother also known as Moore) born 1888
Albert George born 1893
Alice Ellen born 24 January 1895
Walter born 3 November 1896
Gertrude Lily born 1899
Arthur Charles born 1901
Robert Edward born 1902
Edith Minnie born 1902 died 1903.
Ernest born 1904.
He was baptised in St. Mary’s Church, Saxlingham Nethergate on 7 June 1891.
In 1901 the family were still living on Pitts Hill but by 1911 they had moved to Tower Cottage in Saxlingham Thorpe. He was working as a farm labourer. All the family were living at home except for Alice. John was working as a gardener at a private house, Albert was a miller’s carter, Walter was also a farm labourer and the other children were at school.
Tower Cottage, Saxlingham Thorpe Date unknown)
During the First World War William served in the D/315th Army Brigade, Royal Field Artillery as a gunner. His service number was 99699. He served in France from 23 August 1915. His service records have not survived but the medal register states he served abroad in France from that date.
There is a photograph of him, his father William, brothers John, Albert and Walter dressed in uniform in the Eastern Daily Press newspaper on 20 July 1915.
The Casualty Lists of the War Office stated that he was wounded on 26 November 1916 and again on 29 September 1917. It is not known in what way he was wounded and whether he was hospitalised in England.
According to family history he worked with horses at the Royal Ordnance Depot at Weedon, Daventry. This is likely to be true as he lived in this area for the rest of his life and on 21 April 1919 he married Evelyn Olive Davy in Newnham Parish Church, Daventry, Northampshire. She was born on 21 May 1898
They had two daughters, Janet Davy Moore born 3 November 1920 and Bridget
Sheila Moore born 6 September 1924
William with Evelyn, his wife and daughter Janet, 1922
Janet and William Moore 1924
Photograph taken in Fawsley Park, near Newnham in 1937.
Left to Right: Bridget Sheila Moore (with dog), Evelyn Davy Moore, William Moore, Peter Box ( adopted son) Susan Elizabeth Frost (grandmother) Kathleen West.
In 1939 William and his wife were living at The Banks, Newnham, Daventry. He was working as a storeman. Also at the address was Bridget.
Janet was training to be a nurse at the Manfield Orthopaedic hospital
In 1943 Janet married Henry Wellock, a solicitor’s clerk.
During the second world war Bridget Moore was in the WAAF and married Vivian Edward Long in Colombo, Sri Lanka 16 January 1946.
William and Evelyn continued to live at The Banks, Newnham. William was a foreman at the Ordnance Depot at Weedon.
Evelyn died on 28th March 1960 at 67 Uplands Road, Oadby, Leicestershire but her address was given in the Probate Records as being The Banks, Newnham.
William died 26 September 1961 at the Danetre Hospital, Daventry. His address at the time of his death was Boxmoor, Newnham. The estate was administered by his son-in-law, Henry Wellock, a solicitor’s managing clerk.
Acknowledgements
England & Wales, Birth, marriage, death index 1837-2005
UK Census Collection
British Army Medal Roll Index cards, 1914-1920
1939 Register- www.findmypast.co.uk
Norfolk Electoral Rolls-Southern Division Saxlingham Nethergate and Thorpe, (Absent Voters Lists 1918-1920)
Norfolk, Church of England Diocesan Baptismal Records, Saxlingham Nethergate.
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar 1858-1995
St Mary’s Church Saxlingham Marriage records (transcribed by Mary Muir)
Thanks to Peter Long for family information and photographs.
Photograph of Tower Cottage, courtesy of Michael Wilkinson
If anyone has any photographs or information about this person, please contact me. Email jan@janmfox.co.uk