William Henry's Story.
William was born in early 1878 to Joseph and Jane Faulkner. In 1881 the family are found living at 13 Lock Street, with his older sister Lilly, 5, and brother William, 3.
In 1891 the family have now grown, with Joseph, Thomas, Phoebe, Mary and George all now living with the family, a total of 8 children.
Joseph their father died in 1896 aged 44, his occupation was that of a labourer. He is buried in Runcorn Cemetery Plot 6 Grave 391
By 1901, the family had moved to 18 Lock Street, but now only Jane with her four sons, William, Joseph, Thomas and George.
Lilly had married Sam Antrobus and lived at 12 Lock Street, with Phoebe Faulkner now aged 16.
Tragically Jane died in 1902 aged 44 (buried in Runcorn Cemetery plot 12 grave 480) so by 1911, Thomas, William and George had moved in with their sister Lilly and her family (5 children) at 13 Queen Street. Phoebe had married Edward J Collins in 1903 and moved out.
The 1911 census has the three brothers all working as labourers at an alkali factory.
At the declaration of war, William was 36 years old and did not enlist until 23rd March 1916 joining the 10th (Service) Battalion (1st Rhondda) arriving in France on December 10th. It is stated he worked at the Manure Works in Ditton, a source of phosphate.
William was killed on the first day of the 3rd Battle of Ypres, Passchendaele.
His personal effects were left to his sister Lily and brother Thomas.
Compiled by Graeme Ainsworth