Person    | Male 

Andrew Behan has kindly carried out some research on this man:
Private William Francis Raftery. He was born on 29 February 1892 in Marylebone, the son of Luke and Mary Ann Amanda Raftery née Nicholls. His father was a Cabman. He was baptised at St Stephens the Martyr Church, South Marylebone on 29 April 1892 and the family were living at 7 Townshend Road. He was the 2^nd of five brothers. In 1896 the family lived at 1 Bristol Mews, Paddington but had moved to 15 Bristol Mews by 1900. The 1901 census records show they were then at 16 Bristol Mews. He attended St Saviours School, Shirland Road, Maida Hill and on 10 February 1903, when the family were living at 1 Hayes Place, Lisson Grove, he transferred to the Stephen Street School, (now in Cosway Street, NW8) where he remained until 9 March 1906. In May 1910 he was appointed as an Assistant Postman in the London Postal Service West and the 1911 census shows the family living at 19 Ranston Street, Marylebone. In June 1912 he was promoted to Postman Divn I in West London. He joined the Gloucestershire Regiment and was posted to their 7^th (Service) Battalion. His service number was 22382. The Battalion sailed from Avonmouth on 19 June 1915 for The Balkans and he entered his theatre of war on 16 August 1915. He was Killed in Action, aged 23 years, on 7 September 1915 and as he has no known grave, he is listed on Panels 101 to 104 of the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli Peninsula, Canakkale, Turkey. After his death, his father received on 2 December 1915 his effects totalling £2-14s-6d and on 31 July 1919 a War Gratuity of £3-10s-0d. He was posthumously awarded The 1914-15 Star, The British War Medal 1914-1918 and The Victory Medal.

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