Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
William Harold Sadler was born on 6th September 1889 in Duncton, Sussex to carpenter Charles Edward and Mary Ann (nee Denyer).
William’s mother Mary Ann was born in the 1st quarter of 1859 in North Chapel, Sussex, and his father, Charles was born about 1859 in Fittleworth, Sussex. They married in the 1st quarter of 1880 in Petworth, Sussex.
William had six known siblings: Mary Jane born about 1882 in Petworth; George born about 1883; Annie born about 1887; Florence May born about 1889; Charles Edward born about 1893, all in Duncton and Ethel born about 1897 in Barlavington, Sussex.
William was admitted on 9th April 1894 into the Duncton School. At the time of the admission the family lived at Duncton.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at Mill House, Duncton. Charles was working as a carpenter and Mary Ann was looking after their children: Mary, George, Annie, Florence and William.
William’s mother Mary Ann died in the 3rd quarter of 1898 in Petworth.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at Burton Lodge Gate, Barlavington. The widowed Charles was working as an estate carpenter. The family further comprised of his children: Mary, railway porter George, Florence, William, Charles and Ethel.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived in New Street, Petworth. Charles was working as a carpenter. The household further comprised of his children: Florence, blacksmith’s journeyman William and Ethel. Charles stated that he had had eight children of whom seven were still alive. The accommodation had six rooms.
William Sadler enlisted on 25th January 1915 in Horsham, Surrey into the 126th Field Company of the Royal Engineers. He was a Sapper with regimental number 66131. Previously he had served in the 4th Battalion, the Sussex Regiment. At the time of the enlistment his residence is stated to be 78 West Street, Crawley, Sussex. His occupation was a skilled shoeing smith.
William disembarked on 19th of December 1915 in France.
William Harold Sadler was killed in an action on 12th July 1916 in France. His body was never found.
He is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing in France on Pier and Face 8A and 8D.
He was awarded the British War and Victory medals and the 1915 Star.
William was, according to his father, living with Mrs Annie E. Roberts. She became his sole legatee. Annie received £10, 14s and 10d on 7th November 1916 and a further £6 on 17th July 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
She was also entitled to receive his personal property and medals.
In September 1916 Mrs Roberts lived at The Cottages, Banstead, Surrey. In November 1916 she moved to Betchworth Park Lodge, Reigate Road, Dorking, Surrey.
| Born | Petworth | |
| Lived | Crawley, Sussex | |
| Son of | Charles Edward Sadler and Mary Ann Sadler nee Denyer | |
| Enlisted | Horsham | |
| Regiment | 126th Field Company, Royal Engineers | |
| Number | 66131 | |
| Date of Death | 12th July 1916 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 26 | |
| Memorial | Thiepval Memorial, France |
