Thank you to Bernice Forsyth and Mary Day from Capel Local History Group for allowing Dorking Museum to publish their research. Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for further research.
William James Linfield was born in the 1st quarter of 1884 in Capel to labourer and gardener John Linfield and Alice Linfield nee Stedman. He was baptised on the 13rd of April 1884 (Easter Day) at St John’s church in Capel. At the time of the baptism the family lived in Capel Street .
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family were still living in Capel Street. John was working as a gardener and an artist in crayon work. Alice was at home looking after their children.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at 3 Beare Green, Capel. John was working as a gardener and Alice was at home. The household further comprised of their children: railway clerk William and gardener Charles.
William James Linfield married machinist Charlotte Seddon in the 3rd quarter of 1910 in the Registration District Paddington, London.
Charlotte Seddon was born about 1887 in Hackney, London to chair & couch maker William Henry Seddon, born about 1843 in Bethnal Green, London and Rose Isabella Watling, born about 1850 in Mile End, Middlesex.
At the time of the 1911 Census, William and his wife Charlotte lived at 73 Walterton Road, Paddington, London. The accommodation had two rooms. William was working as a railway porter.
William Linfield enlisted in Paddington into the King’s Royal Rifle Corps. He was a Private and his service number was: R/40422. At the time of his enlistment he lived in Harlesden.
At the time of his death William was part of the 16th Infantry Battalion, the Machine Gun Corps. He was a Private and his new regimental number was: 125255.
William was killed in an action on the 4th of April 1918 during the German Spring Offensive in France or Belgium.
He is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, Somme on panels 90 to 93. He received the British War and Victory medals.
William’s widow Charlotte Linfield received £5, 10s and 7d on the 10th of December 1918 and a further £3 on the 29th of November 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
Linfield Family History
William’s father John Linfield was born about 1854 in Shipley, Sussex to agricultural labourer James Linfield, born about 1815 in Billingshurst, Sussex and Frances Linfield, born about 1818 in Shipley, Sussex. John was baptised on the 3rd of December 1854 in Shipley, Sussex.
His mother Alice Stedman was born about 1854 in Capel, Surrey to carter Benjamin Stedman, born about 1823 in Capel, Surrey and Mary Stedman, born about 1829 in Capel, Surrey.
John and Alice married on the 9th of August 1879 in Capel, Surrey.
William James had three known siblings: Alice Mary born in the 3rd quarter of 1880; Constance Nellie born in the 1st quarter of 1882 and Charles John born in the 2nd quarter of 1886, all born in Capel, Surrey.
At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived at Village, Capel. John was working as a railway labourer and Alice was at home looking after their daughter Alice.
At the time of the 1911 Census, William’s father, the widowed, John lived at 2 Rawson Cottages, Capel. The household further comprised of John’s daughter Constance and his mother in law Mary Stedman. John was working as a jobbing gardener.
William’s father John Linfield died at the Dorking Union Infirmary and was buried on the 29th of June 1918 at St John’s church in Capel.
Born Capel, Surrey
Lived Paddington, London
Son of John and Alice Linfield
Enlisted Paddington, London
Regiment 16th Infantry Battalion. Machine Gun Corps
Number 125255
Date of Death 4th April 1918
Place of Death France
Cause of Death Killed in Action
Age 32
Memorial Pozieres Memorial, France