Thank you to Jim Edwards for this research.
William Breese was born around 1885 in South Norwood, near Croydon. In 1911 he was a builder’s clerk, living in St Albans. He married Elizabeth Harrison in the church near her home in Leeds in 1914, when he was living at 9 Bentsbrook Road, North Holmwood, where they made their home. He worked as a clerk in the Dorking office of Trollope and Colls (builders and civil engineers), before joining (Number G/13584) 6th Battalion, The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment), which took part in the Arras Offensive for most of 1917. The Dorking Advertiser reported him missing on 19th May 1917 but records give his date of death as 7th April. He served for less than one year, remained a private and he is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais.
His widow, Elizabeth, lived at 9 Bentsbrook Road, North Holmwood. Their daughter Catherine was born in February 1916. The address given for them at the end of the war is in Leeds, but they returned to Dorking and spent the remainder of their lives there.
MISSING
Pte. W. Breese, The Queen’s R. W. S. Regt., is officially reported missing. His home is at Bents Brook, Holmwood, and for two years before joining the Army he was a clerk in the office of Messrs. Trollope and Colls, Dorking.
Breese Missing Notice 19th May 1917 © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
| Born | South Norwood near Croydon | |
| Husband of | Elizabeth Breese of 9 Bentsbrook Road, North Holmwood | |
| Regiment | 6th Battalion. The Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment | |
| Number | G/13584 | |
| Date of Death | 7th April 1917 | |
| Place of Death | Arras, France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in action | |
| Age | 32 | |
| Memorial | Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France |
