William Lewis Ray Dunnett

A Rifleman with the 2/17th Battalion, William died on 20th of February 1918 at the age of 20. 

William, who was also known as Ray, was born at Oulton in 1898, a son of William and Alice Dunnett. In 1901 his family lived at Swiss Cottages, Bridge Road, Oulton. By 1911 they were living at 2 Broadway Villas, Bridge Road, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft. 

William volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft in 1914. Initially he served with the 2/6th Battalion Suffolk Regiment (Cyclists), service number 2111. When he enlisted he gave Ray as his first name. William was transferred to the London Regiment and, on 24 June 1916, arrived in France to join the 2/17th Battalion. 

William served in France until 22 November 1916, when the Battalion moved to Egypt, and from 16 June 1917 served in Palestine. William was killed during the Battle of Jericho. On 20 February 1918 the 2/17th Battalion, part of 180th Brigade, advanced from Jerusalem to Jericho and captured their objective: Talat el Dumm. 

William was mentioned in General Allenby's despatches of 16 January 1918 for distinguished services in the Palestine campaign (London Gazette 16 January 1918, page 924). 

He is recorded on Saint Margaret's War Memorial as Ray Dunnett.

Note: Charles Kent and William Turner, from Lowestoft, also served with the 6th Suffolk Cyclists, and were transferred to the 2/17th Battalion London Regiment, arriving in France on 24 June 1916.