William John Verran

Story:
William John Verran was born near Bodmin, Cornwall, on 14 Apr 1894 the son of Thomas Verran and Mary Verran (nee Angove). He lived his early life in Lestoon, Bodmin, Cornwall until, by 1911, he had moved to East Compton, Shaftesbury, working as a Farm Labourer. He had enlisted and joined the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry as a Private (Service No. 24385). He later transferred to the Labour Corps (Service No. 353621) serving with the 443rd Agricultural Company. It is not know where he served but on his discharge was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. He had married Elizabeth Kate Fox at Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 3 Jul 1918 whilst still serving and the Absent Voters List for 1920 indicates that he had remained in the army at that time. The 1921 Census detail has not been found but by the 1939 Register he was living at 8 East Compton, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Carter and also as a Volunteer ARP Warden. His death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry, during 1969.