Pte 300042 William Hill Reed

Wiliam was educated at Christ Church School, Bootle and prior to enlisting he was a customs clerk at John Hunter and Co., Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Bootle.

The 1911 Census shows the family have moved to 6 Hicks Road, Seaforth, Liverpool. His father, Joseph is aged 45, born in 1866 at Waterloo, Liverpool and is a railway clerk. William's mother, Margaret, is aged 47, born in 1864 in Ballymena, Antrim, Ireland. His parents have been married for twenty two years and have had six children of which one had died. Those shown on the Census are; Mary Jessie aged 21, born 1890 is a photographer, William aged 17, born 1894 is an apprentice clerk in the timber trade, Agnes aged 13, born 1898, Margaret Isabel aged 11, born 1900 and Evelyn aged 7, born 1904, are at school.  The four daughters were born in Bootle and William was born in Seaforth. 

REED - Sept. 21, killed in action, William Hill Reed, Lancashire Hussars Yeo., attached K.L.R., only and dearly loved son of Joseph and Margaret Gordon Reed, 2, Lytton-grove, Seaforth.  

(It seemeth such a little way to us, across to that strange country the Beyond; And yet not strange, for it has grown to us, The home of those of whom we are so fond. They make it seem familiar and most dear, as absent ones bring foreign countries near. So close it lies that when our sight is clear, we think we see the brightly gleaming strand; We know that those who've gone from us Come near enough to touch our hand.) 

Also in the Liverpool Daily Post on Friday 19th October 1917;

REED—September 21, killed in action, William Hill Reed, Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry (attached K.L.R.), only and dearly-loved son of Joseph and Margaret Gordon Reed, 2 Lylton-grove, Seaforth.

It seemeth such little way to us,

Across that strange country, the Beyond; 

And yet not strange, for it has grown to us,

The home of those of whom we are so fond,

They make it seem familiar and most dear,

As absent ones bring foreign countries near,

So close it lies that when our sight is clear,

We think we see the brightly-gleaming strand,

We know that those who’ve gone from us

Come near enough to touch our hand.

Also in the Liverpool Echo on Saturday 21st September 1918;

ROLL OF HONOUR. 

IN MEMORIAM.

REED—In loving memory of Trooper W. H. REED (Willie), Lancs. Hussars Yeomanry, killed in action, September 21, 1917, only and dearly-loved of son of Joseph and Margaret G. Reed. (A loving devoted son and brother.) —Deeply mourned by his Parents and Sisters, 2, Lytton-Grove, Seaforth. (We thank God for every remembrance of him.) 

His death was also reported in the Liverpool Daily Post on Saturday 18th May 1918; 

REED - In loving birthday remembrance of Trooper W. H. REED (Willie). Lancs. Hussars, attached K.L.R., the dearly-loved and only son of Joseph and M. G. Reed, killed in action, September 21, 1917. What though in shell-swept Wytschaate his body lies, His soul has found the goal it sought beyond the skies. 

Deeply mourned and missed by all at home, 2, Lytton-grove, Seaforth. 

Also in the Liverpool Evening Express on Tuesday 21st September 1920; 

REED - In loving memory of Willie (18th K.L.R.), killed in action, Sept. 21, 1917, dearly loved only son of Joseph and M. G. Reed. Sadly missed by his sisters and all at home. 2, Lytton-grove, Seaforth. ("We shall meet beyond the river.") 

 

William now rests at Torreken Farm Cemetery No.1, Whytschaete, Belgium. 

Wytschaete was taken by the Germans early in November 1914, and was recovered by Commonwealth forces during the Battle of Messines on 7 June 1917, but fell into German hands once more on 16 April 1918. The village was retaken for the last time on 28 September.  The cemetery, begun by the 5th Dorset Regiment in June 1917 and used as a front line cemetery until April 1918, contains 90 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 14 German war graves.

He is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

Waterloo with Seaforth Civic Memorial,

Linacre Methodist Mission

Christ Church C. of E. School, Bootle.