Thank you to Patricia Brazier for the following research.
William was born on 16th October 1878 in Leatherhead, he was baptised at St Mary and St Nicholas’s church in Leatherhead on 26th January 1879. His parents were Edward, a carpenter and Louisa.
In the 1901 census William is living with his family at 37 Linden Cottages in Leatherhead, his occupation is plumbers labourer.
In 1911 the family at still living at 37 Linden Cottages. William’s profession is a labourer.
William had three brothers Harry Thomas, Alfred and Arthur, and one sister Ellen.
William was a member of the Duke of Connaught Lodge of the Dorking Oddfellows Society. He is commemorated on a plaque in the doorway of the Odd Fellows Hall in Dorking. He is also remembered on the Leatherhead Memorial in Leatherhead town centre.
PTE. W. G. SEARLE KILLED
On Thursday last Miss Searle, of Linden Road, Leatherhead, received notification from the War Office that her brother Pte. William George Searle, of the Middlesex Regt, was killed in action on Oct 4th. Pte. Searle, who was 39 years of age and single, joined up in April last, and after doing his training at Canterbury, went out for France with a draft about a month ago. His last letter was received on October 1st, and nothing more was heard until the War Office notification came that he had been killed in action on October 4th. Deceased, who was very well known locally, was formerly in the employ of Mr. W. H. Impson, builder, Bridge Street, Leatherhead.
Pte. Harry Searle, of the motor transport section, and a brother of deceased, lost his life by the sinking of the City of Palermo in January last. Two other brother are also serving with the Colours, one being in France and the other in England.
William George Searle Death Notice © Leatherhead Advertiser
William died on 4th October 1916 he has no known grave but is commemorated on the Theipval Memorial Panel Reference Pier and Face 12D and 13B. His War Gratuity of £3.00 was sent to his sister, Ellen. His brother Harry Thomas had died the same year, he is also commemorated on the Leatherhead Memorial. His brothers Alfred and Arthur are still serving with the colours one in France and one in England
| Born | Leatherhead, Surrey | |
| Lived | Leatherhead, Surrey | |
| Son of | Edward and Louisa Searle | |
| Regiment | 1st/8th Battalion. Middlesex Regiment | |
| Number | TF/6546 | |
| Date of Death | 4th October 1916 | |
| Place of Death | Somme, France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 37 | |
| Memorial | Theipval Memorial Panel Reference Pier and Face 12D and 13B |
