Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for this research.
William Henry Ruffell was born on 3rd October 1884 in Dorking and was baptised on 31st December 1884 at St Barnabus Church in Ranmore.
William’s parents were gardener Henry and Eliza (nee Kirkby).Henry was born in the 2nd quarter of 1856 in Alresford, Hampshire to Thomas Ruffell. Eliza was born about 1859 in Dalton-in-Furness, Lancaster. Her parents were called William and Eliza. Henry married Eliza on 26th July 1881 in Windermere, Westmorland, England.
During the 1881 Census, Eliza was working as a servant to the headmaster and schoolmaster of a grammar school, William V. Yates, at 4 Biskey Howe [Terrace] in Westmorland.
St Mark’s Church of England School in Reigate’s admission register reads that William was admitted to the school on 6th May 1889. According to the register he left in July 1889.
St Barnabas’ Church of England School in Ranmore, reads, that Henry was admitted into the school on 6th May 1889. The entry reads that the school admitted William at about 4 and half years old. The St Barnabas’ School log book further states on 4th September 1889 that “William Henry Ruffell has left on account of his parents leaving the parish”.
During the 1891 Census, the family lived at Lingmoor View, Langdale, Westmorland. Henry was working as a gardener and Eliza was looking after their children William, Albert, Emily and Arthur.
By 1900 the family moved to Guildford, Surrey. William’s mother, Eliza died in the 1st quarter of 1900 in Guildford aged 40 years old. She was buried on 6th January 1900 at St Nicolas in Guildford. At this time the family lived at 27 Walnut Tree Close, Guildford.
William’s father Henry remarried Lucy Peto on the 6th of March 1905 in Guildford.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Henry and his second wife Lucy lived at 49 Walnut Tree Close in Guildford. Henry was still working as a gardener. Lucy was looking after their two small children Harry Stanley Ruffell and Kathleen Ruffell. In the house were also living store man (brewery) Arthur Ruffell, baker Alfred Ruffell, printer Harry Stanley Ruffell and Ernest Ruffell from the previous marriage. The accommodation had 4 rooms.
William enlisted in Guildford, where he also lived. He joined the 4th Battalion, the Worcestershire Regiment. He was a private with a regimental number 11505.
William Henry disembarked on 25th April 1915 in the Balkan Theatre of War.
He was killed in an action on 6th August 1915 in Gallipoli and is buried at the Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery, Turkey. His grave reference number is: II.A.11.
William left £2, 13s and 3d to his step mother, Mrs Lucy Ruffell, in Soldier’s Effects.
William Henry was awarded the British War and Victory medals and the 1915 Star.
He was 31 years old at the time of his death.
| Born | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Lived | Guildford, Surrey | |
| Son of | Henry Ruffell of 49, Walnut Tree Close, Guildford | |
| Regiment | 4th Battalion, The Worcestershire Regiment | |
| Number | 11505 | |
| Date of Death | 6th August 1915 | |
| Place of Death | Gallipoli | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 31 | |
| Cemetery | Twelve Trees Copse Cemetery, Turkey |
