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In memoriam

Private William Waller

 

 

William Waller was born on 13 July 1891 at Edergole, Cootehill, County Cavan, the fifth of seven children of farmer William Waller and his wife Jane (nee Hall).

Waller enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Cavan between 2 and 5 April 1913 (No.824 – later Corps of Hussars No.71117). He embarked for France with A Squadron on 17 August 1914, seeing action in the retreat from Mons and advance to the Aisne.

He remained with A Squadron until early 1918. In February-March that year the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment, including A Squadron, was dismounted and converted to a corps cyclist regiment. This left around a quarter of the officers and men of the regiment surplus to requirements. Many were attached to regular cavalry units, particularly those of the 1st Cavalry Division.

Although the records are unclear, it appears that Waller was first attached to the 19th (Queen Alexandra's Own Royal) Hussars – 9th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division – probably at Amiens at the beginning of April 1918. However it appears that by August he was with the 9th (Queen's Royal) Lancers – 2nd Brigade.

Waller was wounded during the initial phase of the Advance to Victory offensive, commencing on 8 August 1918 east of Amiens, possibly during a charge on a group of German machine guns between Méharicourt and Fouquescourt on 9 August.

Private Waller was evacuated to a hospital at Rouen, but died there on 16 August. He is buried at St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France, grave R.II.I.12. His gravestone inscription reads:

71117 PRIVATE
W. WALLER
NORTH IRISH HORSE
16TH AUGUST 1918 AGE 21

 

Image kindly provided by Steve Rogers, Project Co-ordinator of the The War Graves Photographic Project, www.twgpp.org.