Personal Details

Born: 24 January 1886 in Bronington, Flintshire, Wales and baptised on 28 February the same year in Bronington Parish Church.

Family: He was the eldest of four children born to Charles Smith Whalley, a carpenter, and his wife Emily (nee Cartwright). He married Harriet Ann Mason on 3 April 1910 in St. Paul’s Parish Church, Leicester and together they had two children – Irene Gladys and Marjorie Emily.

Residence: His parents were living in Bronington at the time of his baptism; by 1891 they had moved to Peake’s Buildings, Wolstanton, Staffordshire. In 1901 William and his parents were living at 9 Havannah Buildings, Whitchurch, Shropshire. His marriage certificate in 1910 showed William living at 81 Bolton Road, Leicester and Harriet living at 13 Henton Road, Leicester. This last address was to be their home until his death in 1927.

Employment: In 1901 he was a grocer’s apprentice; in 1911 he was a grocer’s manager.

Died: In 1927 in Leicester, aged 42.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Air Force

Rank: Air mechanic

Service Number: 293471

Date of Enlistment: 9 September 1918

Date of Discharge: 30 April 1920

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation