William John Kember was born at 'Shakespeare Cottage', Sycamore Road, Aston 20th September 1875.
The family lived in the Handsworth area for many years and William had started work as a Pocket Watch Maker and Gold Polisher until he enlisted into 'The South Staffordshire Regiment' at Lichfield on 13th February 1895. He was 18 years of age. The photograph attached here shows William at this time.
William saw several years of service before being discharged due to ill health (he had thrombosis in his left leg which had to be operated on).
William re-enlisted in later life into 'The Lincolnshire Regiment' and served overseas on active service at The Somme for which he was awarded the set of campaign medals. It was during this time at The Somme that William suffered injury and was transferred into the Labour Corps.
William returned to his wife and children in Rowney Green and passed away September 1954, he was buried at St Laurence Church, Alvechurch.
The family lived in the Handsworth area for many years and William had started work as a Pocket Watch Maker and Gold Polisher until he enlisted into 'The South Staffordshire Regiment' at Lichfield on 13th February 1895. He was 18 years of age. The photograph attached here shows William at this time.
William saw several years of service before being discharged due to ill health (he had thrombosis in his left leg which had to be operated on).
William re-enlisted in later life into 'The Lincolnshire Regiment' and served overseas on active service at The Somme for which he was awarded the set of campaign medals. It was during this time at The Somme that William suffered injury and was transferred into the Labour Corps.
William returned to his wife and children in Rowney Green and passed away September 1954, he was buried at St Laurence Church, Alvechurch.