Thank you to the Friends of St. Margaret for allowing us to reproduce their research. Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for further research.
William Leonard Randall was born in the 4th quarter of 1896 in Ockley, Surrey to farm labourer Arthur George and Emma (nee Overington). He was baptised on 22nd November 1896 at St Margaret’s Church, Ockley.
William’s father Arthur was born in the 3rd quarter of 1869 in Froxfield, Hampshire to agricultural labourer George, born about 1830 in Froxfield and Louisa, born about 1831 in Newton Valance, Hampshire. William’s mother Emma was born in the 1st quarter of 1866 in Oakwood Hill, Surrey to roadman George, born about 1833 in Oakwood Hill and Sarah Anne (nee Knight), born about 1838 in Ockley. Emma was baptised on 28th January 1866 in Ockley. Prior to her marriage she had been working as a domestic servant. Arthur married Emma on 13th October 1894 at St John the Baptist’s Church in Okewood. At the time of the marriage Arthur was working as a labourer and lived in Ockley and Emma lived in Okewood.
William had two sisters: Louisa born about 1896, Surrey and Daisy Mabel born about 1899, both in Ockley.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at Hall Cottage, Ockley. Arthur was working as a general farm labourer and Emma was at home looking after their children.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at Stane Street, Ockley. Arthur was working as a farm labourer and Emma was a housewife. The household further comprised of their children: errand boy William and Daisy; and a boarder, carman, Ernest George Baker. Emma stated that she had given birth to three children of whom all were still alive. The accommodation had five rooms.
William Randall enlisted soon after the outbreak of war, along with other Ockley friends, (two of who, Philip Leppard and Thomas Banfield also died) in Horsham, Sussex into the 22nd (Service) Battalion, the Royal Fusiliers (Kensington). He was a Private with regimental number K/1295.
He disembarked on 17th November 1915 in France.
At the time of his death he was a Lance Corporal of the 22nd Battalion, the Royal Fusiliers attached to the 99th Company of the Machine Gun Corps.
On 16th November 1916 William was admitted into No. 3 Casualty Clearing Station. He was transferred the next day.
He died of wounds on 5th December 1916 in France. He was buried at the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery. His cemetery reference number is: VIII.C.205. The headstone bears the inscription: ‘Dear Son Rest In Peace’. He is also commemorated on the St Margaret’s WW1 panel in Ockley.
LCE-CORPL. W. RANDALL
Royal Fusiliers
Lce-Corpl Randall is another Ockley lad who has succumbed to his wounds received in the service of his country, as reported in our last issue. He was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Randall, of Great House Farm. He joined the Royal Fusiliers (Kensington) at Horsham with three others from the village soon after the outbreak of war, and after going through his trainingleft for France some fourteen months ago. The only one of the four who joined up together now remaining is Pte. F. Dinnage, whom we are pleased to hear is quite well. Lce-Corpl. Randall was attached to the Machine Gun Section, and the following letter received by Mrs. Randall from his officer speaks very highly of his work on the day he received his wounds: “I wish to tell you of the splendid work done by your son in our last operations, under heavy shell fire. He handled his men in a most careful manner, and when what was thought to be a counter attack he arranged his team with great skill. It was at this time he got wounded. I need not mention he was a great favourite amongst all my men, and we shall find it hard to fill his place”.
In civilian life, Lce-Corpl. Randall worked for Mr. Carpenter, the local baker, he was a member of the Boy Scouts, and the Village Church Choir, and at the time of his death was 20 years of age. A memorial service will be held next Sunday at 3 o’clock in memory of Lce-Corpl. Randall and Pte. V. Garman.
William Randall Death Notice 16th December 1916 © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
He received the British War and Victory medals.
William’s father Arthur received £11, 3s and 4d on 20th April 1917 and a further £8 and 10s on 25th March 1920 in Soldier’s Effects. William’s parents lived at Greathouse Farm, Ockley.
| Born | Ockley, Surrey | |
| Lived | Ockley, Surrey | |
| Son of | Emma and Arthur Randall of Greathurst Farm, Ockley | |
| Regiment | 22nd Battalion. Machine Gun Corps. Royal Fusiliers | |
| Number | 1295 | |
| Date of Death | 5th December 1916 | |
| Place of Death | Boulogne, France | |
| Cause of Death | Died of wounds | |
| Age | 20 | |
| Cemetery | Boulogne Eastern Cemetery. VIII. C. 205 |
