William was born in Saxlingham Nethergate on 3 February 1888. He came from a large family of twelve children, one of whom died. His parents were William and Ellen, nee Aldis, Poynts. His father was a carpenter working for Saxlingham Estate.
His siblings were
William’s siblings were;
George born 1890
Charles born 1892
Ellen born 1895
Isaac born 14 December 1896
Albert born 18 January 1899
Edward born 1902
Cecil born 1 August 1903
Jonathan born 13 December 1906
Arthur born 15 March 1908
Leonard born 23 December 1909
The family lived on the Street, Saxlingham Nethergate.
In 1901 William aged 13 years old was working as a labourer on a farm.
On 24 September 1906 he joined the Norfolk Field Artillery, Service number 3634. He was 18years and 7 months old. On joining he said that his home address was in Saxlingham and had been for the previous 6 months, He however stated that he had previously been employed by Mr. G. King of Horsford, Norfolk as a gamekeeper. He signed up for 6 years.
His next of kin were listed as being his parents and brothers and sister.
He was 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 138 pounds and having a 35inch chest. He had a fresh complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair.
At some point he transferred to 69th Battery, Royal Artillery and his service number was 44746.
In 1911 he was serving in India. He was stationed at Jubbulpore with the regiment and he was a wheeler. This was the name given to wheelwrights in the Army. He would not only have repaired wheels but also carts and wagons. His rank at that time was Gunner.
I have been unable to find out when 69th Battery returned from India but at the start of the First World War they were part of 1st Brigade , Royal Artillery stationed in Edinburgh under Scottish Command,
When the war began they were immediately mobilised. William arrived in France on 16 August 1914.
His service records have not survived but it is known that he received a Military Medal. This was in the Gazette on 14 September 1916 and he was promoted to sergeant.
He further received a Bar to the Military Medal for bravery and this was in the Gazette on 23 February 1918. His residence at that time is given as Edinburgh. It is not known if he was living there at that time or if that was his home address.
On 15 June 1917 he married Mary Main in Leith, Midlothian, Scotland. Mary was born 11 November 1891 in Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, Scotland. Her parents were James and Isabella (nee Cowie) Main.
It is presumed that William met her whilst he was stationed in Scotland.
Their son, William Junior Poynts was born on 13 June 1919. They were living at 7 High Street, Portobello, Edinburgh,
William returned to Norfolk with his family. It is known that he was living in Saxlingham Nethergate in 1920 with his parents.
His daughter Isabella Cowie Main Poyntz was born in Shotesham St Mary, Norfolk on 6 May 1921.
The family were living in Cargate Lane, Saxlingham in 1927.
By 1939 they had moved go live in Huntingdonshire. In 1939 William was working as a gamekeeper and the family including the children were living at the Bungalow, The Fen, Norman Cross, Huntingdonshire. William Junior was working as a farm labourer.
They continued to live in that area. William died on 25 September 1972 in Stilton, Huntingdonshire.
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)
Findmypast – British Army Service Records 1760-1915
UK, British Army Recipients of the Military Medal, 1914-1920
Allen Family Tree, Garrett-Scarfe Family Tree www.ancestry.co.uk
Wikipedia- Information about 69th Brigade.
If anyone has any photographs or information about this person, please contact me. Email jan@janmfox.co.uk