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William Reginald LawWilliam Reginald Law was born in Eastington on 4 April 1893 to Robert Law, an agricultural labourer, and Fanny née Davies. By 1911 he was the only one of their eight surviving children to still be living at home, at that time employed as a general labourer in a timber yard. Two years later, on 19 April 1913, he married Ida Matilda, sister of William George Birch, at the Wheatenhurst Register Office. Their first two children, Ida Beatrice and Winifred Doris, were born in Eastington, but the family had moved to School Row, The Street, Frampton, by the time their son Robert William Reginald George was born in 1916. Volunteering early to enlist, William attested at Stroud on 2 September 1914 and was provisionally posted to the 10th (Service) Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment. He was sent to Tidworth Camp, Wiltshire, for training but failed a medical review and was discharged on 22 September. Men such as William were re-assessed after the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act of 1917 and on 14 June of that year, when working as a waterman, he was called up. He was sent for induction to the 1st (Reserve) Garrison Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment on the Isle of Wight, but with his experience, and having made a specific request, he was transferred to the Inland Waterways & Docks Section of the Royal Engineers. William was posted in the rank of sapper to the Western Front on 25 August and served in France until after the end of the war, very probably transporting supplies towards the Front on French canals, in which his skills won him a professional assessment of 'Very Superior'. However, a medical review on 19 May 1919 led to his repatriation three days later and discharge on 8 July. William was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal and his service is commemorated on the plaque in the village hall. After the war the family continued to live in the village, moving first to Fromebridge and then to 5 The Oval. William Reginald Law was buried in St Mary's churchyard on 27 December 1961. |