Willie AMBLER

15691, Private. b. 1898, Queensbury d. Tue. 6th November 1917 (aged 19).

Shortly after the outbreak of war Willie travelled to King’s Norton, Worcestershire and joined the local territorial regiment looking for conscripts. This was because at the time he was only 16 years old and had probably been turned down by the local Bradford units. His army records show him as being 22 years old at enlistment, but referring back to the 1901 census it is clear to see that his real age was far younger – a full six years.

It was not uncommon at the time for men (or boys!) to lie about their ages in the Great War so that they could join up but unfortunately, due to the nature of these lies, it is impossible to say how many.
A patriotic fervour was sweeping the nation at this time, and many men were rushing to join the King’s colours to do their bit. Willie was one such man, and was sworn into the 14th Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment. He arrived in France in the middle of 1915 where he lived in trench warfare conditions until the summer of 1916, when he was badly injured in the chest. He had been luckier than many who were fighting at this time, as he had received a ‘blighty’ (a wound which was serious enough to be sent back to Britain to recuperate at home).

He returned to his home at 2, Carlton Terrace, Clayton and spent several months recovering before being returned to active service. This was in early 1917. Willie survived a further ten months in the filth and mud that was the British trench system until he was killed in action (K.I.A). around St. Julien in 1917 and was laid to rest in a field cemetery; St.Julien Dressing Station. His gravestone is inscribed ‘Worthy of Everlasting Love’.