ROBERTS W

ROBERTS, William

Regiment: Royal Irish Rifles

Rank: Rifleman

Number: 2283

Died: 09 May 1915

Aged: 19

Buried/ Memorial: Ploegsteert Memorial

Address: 6 Wards Terrace, Hoole

Chester Chronicle 3 June 1916

CHESTER SOLDIER’S FATE

“By an official intimation in April this year the fate of Rifleman William Roberts, son of Mrs Elizabeth A. [and William] Roberts, widow, of 31 Westminster Road is now known. He enlisted on 1st December 1914 when 18 years of age, in the Royal Irish Rifles. He went to France with the regiment in April 1915 and was reported missing on 9th May 1915. The communication from the War Office states that he must be regarded as killed on the date named. He was a scholar at All Saints school and was for seven years in the scouts (1st Cheshire) and at the time of joining the forces was assistant scoutmaster. He was well liked by all who knew him and sympathy will be felt for his mother at his death.”

The 1911 Census shows William as a 15-year-old clerk living at 31 Westminster Road with father William, mother Elizabeth, brothers John Stanley (who also died in the Great War) and Norman and sisters Annie and Lillie.