Matthew Okell's Story.
Wiliam O'Kell Bancroft was born in Runcorn on 23rd March 1887 to Mary and John Bancroft.He had two brothers, Edward Francis Fay Bancroft 1878-1956, Percy Alsager Bancroft 1887-1969 and four sisters, Olive Evelyn Bancroft 1891-1892, Dorothy Gwendolen Bancroft 1893 -1984, Elizabeth Carter Bancroft 1903 - 2001 and Marjorie Bancroft 1906.
He emigrated when he was 23 and landed on the 23rd November 1910 at St John, New Brunswick, Canada.
On the 29th August 1914 william joined the Canadian Infantry, 4th Battalion. His detailed papers can be found on line.
He was 5ft 7inches with grey eyes and dark brown hair. He sailed to the UK from Quebec on 7th October 1914.
His first serious injury came on 24th June 1915 when he received gun shot wounds to his shoulder and legs. He was evacuated to the UK to recover and was sent back to the front only to receive shrapnel wounds on the 1st January 1916 to his left thigh, buttock and calf. Again he was sent to the UK and finally discharged on 26th March 1916.
William was sadly killed in action on 8th July 1917. The cemetery is west of Vimy ridge.
His service record states he died on 16th July 1917 the above date is taken from the Commonwealth war graves website.
Compiled by Graeme Ainsworth