William's Story.
Born in 1895 William was one of three children born to William and Harriet Ollerenshaw, in 1901 the family were living at 4 Kensington Street, Hyde. William senior who was originally from Compstall, age 38 was working as a blacksmith, his wife Harriet age 34 from Gee Cross was working as a Cotton Weaver. William who was born in Hyde was age 6. By 1911 the family still lived a number 4 Kensington street, the census shows that William now age 16 was working as a weaver, it also shows that he had a younger brother, Harold age 7. Sadly, it also confirms that’s one child had died.
William with his family.
William joined the army shortly after war was declared and was posted to the 21st battalion Manchester Regiment. The 21st battalion were formed in Manchester on the 13th November 1914 by the Lord Mayor. By January 1915 they had moved to Morecambe for training and then in September 1915 moved to Larkhill.
William sitting on the right at Morecambe in 1915
On the 31st October 1915, the battalion received orders to hold itself in readiness to proceed overseas, by the 9th November 1915, William and the battalion were billeted in the drill hall in Folkestone. At 4:10pm the following day the battalion on board the Atalanta sailed, arriving in Boulogne at 10pm that evening. On the 28th November, they did their first tour in the trenches at Fonquevillers.
The battalion were in action on the 1st July 1916, the opening day of the Somme offensive. B and C companies were sent to reinforce the 1st South Staffordshire’s attacking Mametz, throughout July, August, and September the battalion would see action at Deville Wood, High Wood, Ginchy and Guillemont.
By March 1917 they were near Arras and on the 24th the moved into the trenches at Saint Leger. The war diary reads:
24th Moved into trenches St. Leger in relief of the 2nd Border Regiment. 2 Coys in the front line, A Coy. On the left, D Coy. On the right. B & C coy. In reserve, weather fine. Relief complete 1am, 25th.
25th In Trenches. Situation quiet until about 5pm when enemy artillery became very active, weather fine. Patrol sent out to Croisilles to see if enemy had evacuated.
On the 27th the battalion were relieved the diary reports casualties of: 24th to 27th Other Ranks Killed 11. Wounded 18. Missing 8.
William is reported to have been killed in action on the 25th his body was not recovered, it is likely that during the enemy shelling on the 25th he was killed.
William is named on the Arras Memorial bay 7
Cheshire County Memorial Project would like to thank Susan Jaleel, William's niece for the pictures of William