Also Served: William Samuel Kay - William Samuel KAY
1 Cambridge Street, Prescot Pte 254842, 23rd Signal Coy, Royal Engineers (Initially Pte 30732, Cheshire regiment). (William was identified to me as a Prescot Great War veteran by Martin Ledson, who holds his medals)
William enlisted in the Cheshire Regiment in St Helens on 7th April 1916, aged 21 years 7 months. He was assigned to the 17th Reserve Battalion. He stated that he worked as a Motor Attendant at the Cable Works. His next of kin was his wife, Lily Kay, of the same address. They had two daughters; Dorothy (born 20th February 1914) and Elsie Irene (26th September 1915).
In September 1916 he was appointed Lance Corporal before being transferred to the Royal Engineers later that month.
On 11th January 1917, he was admitted to hospital at Prees Heath suffering from Scabies, and remained there for 6 days.
He went to France on 24th April 1917. He suffered from Bronchitis in July 1917 and was treated at No2 2 Stationary Hospital at Abbeville for four weeks. He returned to the UK in August of that year, going straight to 1st London general Hospital on 1st August and remaining in hospital until 11th September 1917, when he was discharged back to duty, although he was medically downgraded to Class B III.
However, he continued to suffer from Bronchitis and was admitted to the Military Hospital at Thetford on 22nd November, remaining there until 14th December.
He was admitted to Whiston Auxiliary Hospital on 30th June 1918 suffering from influenza, and was only discharged on 17th September that year. Going back to his unit, he was then admitted to an army Field Ambulance on 24th December 1918 suffering from Bronchitis and stayed in hospital until 28th December.
William was discharged to Class 'Z' reserve on 25th September 1919. He applied for a pension, stating that he had suffered Bronchial Catarrh since 1917.
William's medal entitlement was to the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
He died in Prescot in 1937 at the age of 42 Ref. No.:
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