Born in 1881at Navestock near Ongar, son of George (Agricultural Labourer) and Emma King. 1901: A Cordite Factory Machine Hand (probably at Waltham Abbey), living with his parents at Sewardstone. His father was now a horseman on a farm. 1911: Living at Woodford Bridge, he was an Attendant at work in the L.C.C. Asylum at Claybury when the Census was taken. On 15th May1915 he married Blanch Marguerite Lagnaz at Chigwell.
He enlisted at Gordon Road Ilford and joined 2/4 Essex. He was sent to Gallipoli to reinforce 1/4 Essex which had been reduced in strength by illness because of the insanitary condition of their trenches around Hill 10. King arrived in October 1915, but within weeks he also contracted Dysentery. Evacuated to Alexandria on a hospital ship, he died from the condition in Egypt, having seen no substantial fighting or action.
He is also remembered on the memorial at Chigwell Church and the Village Memorial Cross.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com
FindmyPast.co.uk
“Marching Off To War”
LCC Record of Service