Born in 1879 in Ballina Co. Mayo, Ireland. He was the son of John Henry (a Sergeant in the Royal Irish Constabulary) and Caroline Frizelle, The Glen, Bally-Castle, Co. Mayo. In the 1911 Census he is listed as an Unemployed Private School Teacher, boarding at 46 Dagnan Road, Balham, South London. He was later living with his partner Martha at "Craigmore", 46 Alexandra Road South Woodford (Wanstead).
He enlisted in the Irish Guards and was allocated to 2nd Battalion.
Beginning on 21st March 1918 the German Army launched a number of attacks on the British front lines at the Somme in their “Spring Offensive”. 4 Guards Division was rushed forward to reinforce the line near Hazebrouck where a gap had appeared and the Germans had successfully advanced. On 12th April, German Observation balloons directed artillery fire on the Division, supplemented with ground assaults that afternoon and during 13th. Machine gun fire was both accurate and intense.
The Germans were held back, but at great cost to the Guards Division, until 1st Australian Division arrived to reinforce the line and relieve the Battalion. Among the casualties in the Battle of Hazebrouck was William Frizelle, whose body was not recovered.
William’s brother, Second Lieutenant Archibald Frizelle is also remembered on the Roll of Honour at Holy Trinity Church although he never lived locally. His name was added by William’s widow, Martha.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian and Michael Nugent, with thanks to Jonny Frizelle
Sources:
Ancestry.com