William Charles Waite

Father: William Waite, born in 1859 at Gloucester, working as a hotel porter. Mother Emily, born in 1866 at Stretton, Staffordshire. When she became a widow Emily, who was illiterate, worked as a washerwoman to support the family. Brothers:Albert, born in 1886 at kentish Town, Frederick, born in 1891 in Nottingham, Walter, born in 1895 in Nottingham and working as a newspaper agent, Charley, born in 1903 in Nottingham and Ernest, born in 1908 in Nottingham. Sisters: Annis, born in 1885 at kentish Town, Georgina, born in 1898 in Nottingham, Lily, born in 1900 in Nottingham and Edith, born in 1905 in Nottingham. The family lived at 9 Crossland Place, Nottingham before moving to 10 Florence Street, Meadows, Nottingham. His photograph published on 7th January 1915 gives his address as 1 Clayton Cottages, Clayton Street, Nottingham.

William Waite worked as a stone mason's labourer and a professional soldier.

Pte. Waite arrived in France on 23/11/1914 and was in the front line at Cuichy, near Bethune. It was a quite part of the line but nevertheless shelling and sniping continued. Pte. Waite was killed on 24/12/1914, only a month after he arrived in France. He was buried at the Guards' Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy.

In memoriam published 8th January 1915 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “WAITE. – In loving memory of my dear son, Private W. C. Waite, who was killed in action in Belgium on December 24th, 1914, aged 21 years. A bitter cup, a shock severe to part with one we loved so dear; our loss is great, we'll not complain, but trust in God to meet again. Gone, but not forgotten. – From his sorrowing mother, brothers, sister and Floss.” Above is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918