William Henry Hadingham

A Private with the 2nd Battalion, William died on 20th of July 1916 at the age of 20. 

William was born at Oulton Broad in 1895, a son of William and Alice Maud Mary Hadingham. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft, on 11 October 1895 and his family lived at Carlton Colville. In 1901 his family were living at 68 Victoria Road, Carlton Colville. By 1911 his father had died and his family lived at 4 Etheline Cottages, Victoria Road, Oulton Broad, and William was a shipbuilder’s labourer. 

William volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the Suffolk Regiment. On 19 January 1915 William arrived in France to serve with the 2nd Battalion. 

Colonel Murphy’s ‘The History of the Suffolk Regiment 1914-1927’ has the following account of the 2nd Battalion’s attack at Longueval 20 July 1916:

It was still dark when the artillery bombardment lifted and the advance began. The two Suffolk companies in the forward line marched in double lines of platoons with a front of 140 yards each. Much bitter fighting followed, which, although indecisive locally enabled a footing to be gained in High Wood by the 33rd Division. 

The battalion’s losses were:
Officers: four killed, two wounded, six missing
Other ranks: 108 killed – with an unrecorded number wounded and missing

William was killed in action on 20 July. 

The Lowestoft Journal, 5 August 1916, page 3, has the following report:

DIED IN ACTION

Mrs. Haddingham (sic), Etheline Cottages, Victoria Road, has received the sad intelligence of the death in France of her only son, Private William Haddingahm (sic) of the 2nd Suffolks. The Lieutenant of his Company writes: - “Your son was one of the best men in my platoon, steady and reliable – the sort of man we call ill afford to lose. It was with much sorrow that I learned of his death. I trust that your sorrow may be in some way lightened by the thought that he died in the noblest way a man can die – fighting for his country. I trust that in this thought you may find some consolation for as irreparable loss.”

The Chaplain of the Regiment writes expressing his sympathy with Mrs. Haddingham, and adds: - “Your son is one of that great band of heroes of whom we have reason to be proud, and to die as he did should be a source of joy to you when the bitterness of your sorrow has passed.”

Private Haddingham was especially commended by his commanding officer for having distinguished himself on January 22nd.

William's name appears on Saint Margaret's War Memorial as Hardingham.