William Henry Patrick

William was the son of Henry Patrick and Annie Eliza Patrick nee Collier. Henry Patrick was born in Moira, Leicestershire, in 1861 and Annie Collier in Somercotes, Derbyshire, and they were married on 22 April 1989 (Alfreton registration district). According to the 1911 Census, Henry and Annie had six children who were all living at the time of the census: Ernest (birth registered J/F/M 1890), William Henry (birth registered J/F/M 1892), Elsie Annie (birth registered J/F/M 1894), Martha Gertrude (birth registered J/F/M 1896), Florence (b. 1902 O/N/D) and Sarah Phyllis (b. 1908 A/M/J). Ernest was born in Wilford but his siblings were born in Nottingham. In 1891 Henry, a coal miner, and Annie were living at 69 Briar Street, Meadows, with their one-year old son, Ernest. Henry and Annie had moved to 90 Briar Street by 1901 and now had four children; Ernest (11), William (9), Elsie (7) and Martha (5). Also living in the household was Annie's sister, Sarah A Collier (24 b. Somercoates), who was listed as a boarder. The eldest child, Ernest, had left home by 1911 and was working as a barman at the Clifton Hotel, Briar Street, living in the household of the publican and his family. Henry (50) and Annie (41) were still living on Briar Street in 1911 but had moved to Number 30. Their five youngest children were still living at home; William (19) a coal miner, Elsie (17) an underwear ironer, Martha (15) goffer lace warehouse, Florence (8) and Sarah (3). William married Mabel Woods at St George's Church, Meadows, Nottingham, on Whit Monday 1915. His wife worked for Boots in its Building Office. At the time of William's death they were living at 15 Buxton Street, Nottingham, Mabel's family home. In 1919 his widow was living at 40 Newcastle Road, Nottingham. Mabel's brother, Lance Corporal Woods (Lincolnshire Regiment), was killed in action on 7 August 1915 (see T2T ROH). William's father, Henry, died aged 71 in 1932 (death registered December, Nottingham).

In 1911 he was a miner (holer).

William enlisted in Nottingham and served with 'C' Coy 2nd battalion Sherwood Foresters. His medal index card shows he first entered a theatre of war in France on 22nd June 1915. He was wounded in action and died of these wounds whilst being treated at No 2 Canadian General Hospital at Le Treport, He was buried in Le Treport Military Cemetery. He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal

Boots ‘Comrades in Khaki’, July 1915: ‘Don Cupid has been busy as usual, and the wedding of Miss Woods, of the Building Office, to Pte Patrick, of the 3rd Sherwood Foresters, was celebrated at St George’s Church, Nottingham, on Whit-Monday.’ Boots ‘Comrades in Khaki’, October 1915, ‘By the Way’: ‘In our July issue was chronicled the marriage of Miss Woods of the Building Office to Pte WH Patrick of the Sherwood Foresters. Recent casualty lists show that Pte Patrick died of wounds on August 31st and that, moreover, L-Corpl CW Woods of the 6th Lincolns (brother of Mrs Patrick), was killed in action on August 7th. The widest sympathy is felt for Mrs Patrick.’ Nottingham Post notice (abridged), 2 September 1915: ‘Patrick. Died of wounds August 31st, Private WH Patrick 2nd Sherwood Foresters, husband of Mabel Patrick, 15 Buxton Street, Nottingham.’ Nottingham Post notice (abridged), 2 September 1915: Patrick. Private William Henry Patrick aged 23 years. Father, mother, brother, sisters.’ His widow, Mabel, was his sole legatee.