William Gentles

(Royal) Berkshire Corner Memorial. Authors image

6445 Private

2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 12th Infantry Brigade, 4th Division

Age: 33

Date of Death: 7.11.14

Buried: (Royal) Berkshire Corner Memorial Panel 5

Family history: Son of Adam Gentles, Barleyhill, Bonnybridge. He was married to Annie and they had two children Mary (4 years) and Adam (7 months). At the time of his death they lived in Birmingham where William had been employed at an iron foundry before he rejoined his battalion. William was an iron moulder to trade and for a considerable period had been employed at the Columbian Stove Works of Smith and Wellstood Limited, Bonnybridge, where he served his apprenticeship. He was a reservist, having seen action in the Boer War taking part in the fighting at Modder River and the Relief of Ladysmith.

The action leading to his death

The Battalion was engaged in an attack to retake trenches lost to the Germans at Ploegsteert Wood.

Trench map showing Ploegsteert Wood and the areas of the attack

The War Diary records that two desperate assaults were made and repulsed with heavy casualties.

War Diary entry

Medals Awarded

1914 Star & Clasp, The British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Private William Gentles, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Medal Index Card