William's Story.
Birkenhead News 10 May 1916One Killed, One Wounded.
A few months ago an interesting picture was reproduced in the “News” showing Mrs. Forsey, of 12, Beverley Road, New Ferry, and her nine soldier sons. No doubt this family hols the record for active patriotism in the borough and the surrounding district. Last June Mrs. Forsey was the recipient of a letter sent by the Keeper of the Privy Purse on behalf of his Majesty the King, expressing his appreciation of the patriotic spirit which prompted her sons to give their service to the country at the present time by joining the Army.
Unfortunately this large family has suffered its first break. On the 2nd of this month the sad news was conveyed to Mrs. Forsey in a letter from Lieut.-Colonel J. M. Reeves, that her fourth son, Private William Forsey had been killed in action. The deceased joined the Wirral Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment immediately after the outbreak of war, although he had only been married a couple of months previously. He was 30 years of age, and was an enthusiastic amateur footballer, being very well known in South End sporting circles, Bebington St. Andrew’s A.F.C. have lost one of their most prominent members, and one who had acted as linesman for the team for upwards of nine years. Private W. Forsey was employed by Messrs. Lever Bros. in the engineering department, and was a general favourite among his fellow employees.
Private Colin Forsey, brother of the dead hero, and of the same battalion, was unfortunately wounded in the head in the same action in which his brother was killed, Colin is the seventh son in this patriotic family, to whom the greatest sympathy is extended.
Mrs. Forsey has received a touching letter from the officer commanding the battalion, expressing his sympathy and his own personal regret at losing so fine a soldier as her son William, and also conveying the sympathy of the rank and file.
The picture mentioned in the article showing Mrs. Forsey and her sons is reproduced below.
