Bush, William Robert

Age: 22
Date of birth: 1895 (Q1)

Parents: William and Emily Bush
Wife:
Address: 19 Market Place

Occupation: Motor Fitter

William Robert Bush was baptised at St Mary’s Warwick on 20th March 1895. His parents were William and Emily Bush, who were living at 20 Old Square.

The 1901 census shows William and Emily and their children Emily Margaret (10) and William Robert (6) living at 20 Old Square where William Snr, employed as a jeweller, worked at home.

By the 1911 census, the family were living at 19 Cornmarket (Market Place) and William Snr was now working on his own account. Emily Margaret was working as a hospital nurse. William Robert was employed as a motor car finisher. Also in the household was 2-month-old Joan Foster Bush, listed as William and Emily’s granddaughter. The census also notes that the couple had had 3 children but only 2 survived.

In 1913, it appears that William was intending to emigrate to New Zealand, according to this reference written for him by the Mayor of Warwick and which was included in his army records.

Military Service

Rank & Number: Private, 9046
Regiment/Service: 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment
Brigade/Division: 24th Brigade, 8th Division
Date of death: After 10th August 1918
Cause of death/Battle: Died of wounds after discharge on 10th August 1918
Commemorated/Buried: Unknown
Awards: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Commemorated locally at: Warwick School

William enlisted, aged 18 and 5′ 6″ tall, on 24th January 1914 and was first posted in January 1915

The War Office appears to have ‘lost’ him in 1917, according to this correspondence with his sister and her husband.

William received a discharge from the army on 20th July 1918 as no longer fit for active service, due to being severely wounded.

Contributors

  • Unlocking Warwick Research Group
  • Images from Army records courtesy of Warwickshire County Record Office

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