William James Herbert Sansom

Story:
William James Herbert Sansom was born at Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 10th September 1890 the son of John Sansom and Amanda Sansom (née Peters). He had pre-war service with the Wiltshire Regiment (Service No. 12790) and was discharged to Reserve. He was embodied on 5th September 1914 and re-joined his Regiment but was transferred on 17th September 1914 to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers and on 23rd September 1914 to the Leinster Regiment (Service No. 1843). He was posted to Kantara, Egypt, on 19 Jul 1915 where he was later further transferred to the Royal Engineers (Railway Operating Division) on 20th November 1917 (Service No. 288555). After training at Kantara, Egypt, he qualified as an Operational Driver with the rank of Sapper. He was demobilized on 4th May 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living at the Cycle Works, Jenkins Corner, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, with his parents and helping his father in the business as a Motor Engineer. He married Annie Victoria Wide in Wellington, Somerset, in 1927 and they went on to have one child. His last known address was Jenkins Corner, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, per the 1939 Register, when he was still described as a Motor Engineer. His death was recorded in Mere, Wiltshire, during 1970 and he was buried at Donhead St. Mary on 9th April 1970.

Source: Based on previous research by Ken Baxter.