21197 Pte William Edward Maxey, 9th Bn, Sherwood Foresters

520 British soldiers died on this day - 2nd October - in 1916. William Edward Maxey of the 9th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters was one of these men. He died of wounds and is buried at Wimereux Communal Cemetery in France.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission tells us that he was the 21 year old son of Thomas and Mary Elizabeth Maxey of Selston, Nottinghamshire. Soldiers Died in The Great War gives the information that he died of wounds and also that he was born in Holbrook, Derbyshire, was living at Selston (presumably with his parents), and enlisted at Mansfield.

William initially served overseas in the Balkans. His medal index card states that he arrived there prior to 31st December 1915 and he therefore qualified for the 1914-15 Star as well as the British War and Victory medals. His army number - 21197 - suggests that he joined the Notts and Derbyshire Regiment in late December 1914 or early January 1915.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry.co.uk (MIC)
Army Ancestry
Army Service Numbers 1881-1918
Commonwealth War Graves Commission