William Thomas Chester Hart was born in 1899 to Walter, a stockbroker clerk, and his wife Clara. The couple had seven children, of which William was the second son and third oldest. By 1911, William was 12 years old and living at 12 Wellwood Road, Goodmayes, with his parents and five of his siblings.
William enlisted with the London Regiment, the Queen’s Westminsters. He was sent to France, where he was killed in action on 28th March 1918.
He is remembered on the Arras Memorial at Faubourg-D’Amiens, France, and also on the Memorial Plaque in Seven Kings Methodist Church.
Research by Redbridge Museum
Sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Ancestry.com
Further information Reproduced from Homage: A Record of Our Heroes (a commemorative booklet produced by Seven Kings United Methodist Church c.1920)
Born 26th September, 1898
Killed in action at Arras, Thursday 28th March 1918
Will Hart was one of the very first scholars of our Sunday School, and subsequently was welcomed into Church fellowship—indeed, our Sunday School and Church were his only Sunday School and Church. Will was educated at the County High School, Ilford, and began his business life with the National Provincial and Union Bank. In March 1917, he enlisted in the Queen's Westminster Rifles. He went to France on 13th February 1918. Forty-three days later he fell in the defence of Arras. Will Hart’s life though brief was full, and he has left behind a fragrant memory. He was at his best in his home, where he revealed depths of tenderness and affection unsuspected outside his family circle. He had many interests, but his passion was for music, and it was at the piano that he excelled. This love for music was an expression of his deep toned and harmonious nature. Around the throne of God he has great scope for his choice gifts.
Further research by Andrew Emeny, History Teacher at ICHS
William was born in Forest Gate on 26th September 1898. He was the 2nd son of a stockbroker’s clerk, William/Walter Hart and Clara Hart. In total, he had six siblings, two brothers (Walter and Robert) and four sisters (Edith, Winifred, Constance and Jessie). His older brother, Walter attended Ilford County High School between 1907 and 1912 and worked in an insurance office. His family lived at 12 Wellwood Road in Goodmayes and employed a domestic servant, Beatrice.
Prior to joining Ilford County High School in September 1910, William had attended Downshall Elementary School in Ilford. He studied at Ilford County High School for four years and was one of only a handful of students who passed the Cambridge Senior Local examination in 1914. He secured a job as a bank clerk when he left school in October 1914, probably replacing someone who had enlisted for the armed services.
He enlisted in Ilford, joining the 16th Battalion of the London Regiment (Queen’s Westminster Rifles) as a private. His service number was 555306. He died on 28th March 1918, aged 19, and his effects and medals were sent to his father.
Sources:
Ancestry.com
ICHS school records and magazines
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Note
Ilford County High School started life as the Park Higher Grade School in 1901 in Balfour Road, Ilford. It was renamed Ilford County High School (or initially County High School, Ilford) in the years after the school’s management was transferred from Ilford School Board to Essex Education Committee in 1904.