Hartshorn, William George

William was born in Warwick in 1881. He was baptised with his brother James on 8th May 1884 at All Saints Church, Warwick. He was the second of eight children – seven boys, John, James, Alfred, Charles, Arthur and Victor and one sister Alice.

William married Laura Hartopp in 1903. By the 1911 census they’d had six children (William, Elsie, Florence, Frederick, Winnie and Sidney) and the family were living at 9 Cox Street, Coventry. William was working as a Machinist in a Cycle Factory.

This item in the local paper tells us that they had had another son in 1913 and that in 1915 the family were living on Pickard Street in Warwick

Warwick Advertiser 23rd October 1915

In 1939 Laura was still living at 58 Pickard Street. She died in 1950 aged 66.

Warwick Advertiser – 8th November 1919:

Hartshorn- In loving Memory of my dear husband, Pte William Hartsorn.  R.Wr.R. killed in action, November 7th 1915.

Only  those who have lost can tell
The pain of parting without farewell.
Our thoughts they often wander
To this far and lonely grave,
His name is often spoken
In the home he died to save.

William’s grave at Sucrerie Military Cemetery, Somme