William Fairfield Wright

William Fairfield was the only son of William Fairfield and Ellen Wright (née Bramley). His father William Fairfield was born in Radford in 1854, the son of John and Mary Wright. He was baptised at Radford St Peter on 12 March the same year. His mother Ellen Bramley was born in about 1859, also in Radford. William and Ellen were married in 1876 and had four children who were born in Radford; their three daughters were baptised at Radford Christ Church: Mary Ellen birth registered 1880 (J/F/M) bap. (Mary Ellen Fairfield) 26 September 1880; Frances Sarah b. 1882 bap. 28 October 1883; William Fairfield b. 1888 and Gertrude b. 1891 bap. 26 March 1899. When their first child was baptised in 1880 William and Ellen were living on Burke Street, Radford, but on Montfort Street, Radford, in 1883 when the second child was baptised By 1891, William, a butcher, and his wife were living on Denison Street, Radford, with their three children Mary (11), Frances (8) and William (2). However, when the youngest child, Gertrude, was baptised in 1899 they were living at 170 Alfreton Road, Radford, which was the address of the Forest Inn where William was recorded on the 1901 Census as the beerhouse keeper. Also in the household on the night of the census were his wife, daughters Mary, a sewing machinist, Frances and Gertrude (9), son William (12) and a barman. William jnr. attested in the Army in January 1904, claiming to be 18 years old ie born 1886. He named his parents and sister Nelly (sic) of The Black's Head, Carlton, as his next of kin. He was discharged the same year. (See 'Military history') By the time of the 1911 census William snr. was the licensee of the 'Hero of Waterloo' public house, 25 Hutchinson Street, Nottingham, where he was living with his wife Ellen. Also in the household was a female servant. Mary Ellen had married Thomas Edward Thurman in 1904 and in 1911 they and their daughter were living on Westville Street, Nottingham, where Thomas was a grocer and beer retailer (own account). Frances Sarah had married Durant Barratt in 1902 and she and her husband, a butcher, were living on Beckenham Road, Nottingham, with their three daughters. Gertrude had probably married John Shaw in 1910 and they were at The Star Inn, Middle Street, Beeston, where her husband was the publican. William Fairfield jnr. has not yet been traced on the 1911 Census either under his birth name or that of Harry Temple, the alias in which he served during the war. According to the Probate record, William Fairfield snr. was the licensee of the Black's Head public house when he died on 3 April 1918. Probate was awarded to his widow. His widow Ellen married William Miller in 1921 and they lived on Morley Avenue, Mapperley, Nottingham.

1904 - occupation malster

Enlisted Wellingborough, Northamptonshire

William attested in the army on a Short Service Engagement (3 years with the Colours, 9 years Reserve) on 12 January 1904, volunteering for service with the King's Own Scottish Borderers. He gave his age as 18 ie. born 1866, occupation malster and named his parents and sister Ellen of The Black's Head, Carlton, as his next of kin. William transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers (270 Private) on 13 January and joined at Newcastle (Depot) on 15 January 1904. He was discharged as a recruit on 22 April 1904 within three months service as 'Not likely to become an efficient soldier', having served just 102 days. William served in the war as Harry Temple. He enlisted at Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, and served initially in the Northamptonshire Regiment (9254). Although the notice of his death in the local newspaper in 1918 and two military records gave his unit as the (Royal) Tank Corps, the CWGC record (Wright-2749925) has 'Machine Gun Corps (Heavy Branch) Depot'. William died of pneumonia on 6 October 1918 and was buried in Carlton Cemetery, Nottingham (grave ref. M. 19.M.5).

CWGC 2749925. Unit: Machine Gun Corps (Heavy Branch) Depot. Additional information: (Served as TEMPLE, H.). Son of Ellen Miller (formerly Wright), of 65, Morley Avenue, Mapperley, Notts, and the late William Fearfield Wright. CWGC 2749921: Gunner H Temple. Regiment & Unit: ALIAS. Date of death:. 6 October 1916 (sic). Buried: Carlton Cemetery UK. See Wright WF the true family name. UKSDGW: Harry Temple. Formerly 22578 Northampton Regiment. 95244 Royal Tank Corps Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Harry Temple Alias. William Farifield Wright. 95244 Private Tank Corps. Legatee mother Ellen Wright. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 9 October 1918: ‘Wright. On 8th inst., Gunner William F Wright, Tank Corps, of pneumonia, only son of Wm and Ellen Wright, late of Black’s Head, Carlton. Funeral Carlton, Thursday, 3 o’clock.’ (www britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)