William Bostock served with the 55th West Lancashire Divisional Signal Company RE.
He was born on the 23rd August 1891 at 4, Johnsons Court, Prescot, St Helens, the son of George and Ann Bostock. The 1911 Census records that William was living at 12 Cook Street, Prescot with his widowed mother Ann, siblings Elizabeth and James and a border Charles Molyneux
He enlisted in the RE on the 12 September 1914 and received the number 7030. He served with his unit in France and Flanders, being awarded his MM for bravery at Trones Wood on the 9th September 1916. He then received the bar for bravery on the 31st July 1917 for the attack on Pilkem Ridge.
He was transferred to the Army Reserve on the 11th March 1919. Sadly, he died in St Helens on the 15th December 1928, his occupation at the time being given as "Glass flattener, glass works".
The Pilkington Staff Magazine, "The Cullet" reports his death in the 3rd April 1929 edition. The entry confirms that he worked in the plate glass works and had been employed by Pilkington's for 24 years.
Willaim is buried in St Helens cemetery along with his wife and son. I have located the grave which is sadly in a very poor state of repair
A notice appears in the St Helens Reporter on the 21 December 1928:-
" Mrs Bostock and family wish to thank all relatives and friends also Glass Flattener's Union for their kind expressions of sympathy and floral tributes received during their recent sad bereavement."
William's medal group: MM and bar, BWM & victory medal
Williams grave in St Helens cemetery
If anyone can provide any other details of this very brave soldier, please contact me.
