2990 L/Cpl Willard A Uglow, 23rd Bn, London Regt

2990 Lance-Corporal William Alec Uglow of the 23rd (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment, was killed in action on the 26th May 1915. William was living at Woodford and enlisted at Clapham Junction on the 16th September 1916. He was 23 years and eight months old, five feet, nine inches tall and with good vision and good physical development. His name was at first recorded as William and it is by this name that he is recorded on Soldiers Died in The Great War.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission notes that Willard was the "only son of William James and Hettie Uglow of 2 Nelson Road, Wanstead, Essex. A linguist (Arabic, French, Spanish, Italian, German). Metallurgical Chemist in Duisberg, Germany."

Willard, who initially signed up for home service only, was embodied with the 2/23rd Battalion on the 16th September 1914. On 17th February 1915 he took the Imperial Service obligation and ten days later he was posted to the 1/23rd Battalion. He sailed for France on the 14th March 1915 and was appointed unpaid lance-corporal on the 18th May. Eight days later he was posted "missing" and later "presumed killed in action".

Willard was one of 203 23rd London men to died on this day. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial in France.

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

Sources:

Ancestry (MIC, WO 363)
Soldiers Died in The Great War
Army Service Numbers
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission