Born 16th March 1892
Killed in action at Loos, Saturday 25th September 1915
William Philip went for his schooling to Bow Central, and subsequently became a commercial traveller. In the third month of the war he enlisted in the London Scottish. He went to France as early as the 19th April 1915, and was promoted to the rank of lance-corporal. The call to higher service came on the 25th September 1915.
William fell in actual fighting with his face to the enemy. The details which, fortunately have been learned, are deeply affecting. "His face," wrote the Chaplain who found William’s body. "was quite peaceful and happy, and I thought of quite unusual beauty. In his hand was the enclosed Bible, and the letter which enabled me to establish his identity…He died a soldier's death in the moment of victory." The Bible referred to is the Khaki Bible presented to William by the Church, and it is now in his parents' possession - a sacred treasure.
Reproduced from Homage: A Record of Our Heroes (a commemorative booklet produced by Seven Kings United Methodist Church c.1920)