18939 Pte William Rostron, 8th Bn, South Lancs Regt

18939 Private William Rostron of the 8th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment, was one of 441 British Army officers and men to die on the 18th June 1917. He was born in Pendleton, Lancashire and he was still living there when he enlisted at Burnley on the 30th April 1915. He was 25 years old and a glass blower by trade.

William was posted to the 3rd Battalion on the 8th May 1915 but went absent without leave the following month and was declared a deserter on the 7th June. He rejoined the battalion on the 2nd July and six dayts later was awarded 21 days' detention for his transgression.

On the 16th December 1915 he was awarded 10 days' Field Punishment No 2 but was sent overseas to France two days later. Whilst serving with the 8th Battalion he received a gunshot wound to the head on 15th July 1916 and was returned to England aboard the Hospital Ship St George five days later.

He returned to France on the 2nd May 1917 but hadnot been overseas very long before he was fatally wounded. He died at the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station on the 18th June 1917.

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

Sources:

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