Andrew Behan has kindly carried out some research on this man: Rifleman William Henry Stretton was born on 11 November 1888 in Highgate, London, a son of George and Emma Eliza Stretton. His father was a Motor Cab Garage Attendant. On 7 December 1896 he attended the Mantua Street School, Wandsworth having spent the previous three and a half years at the Acton Lane School. The family were living at 95 Falcon Road, Battersea and were still there at the time of 1901 census. He left school on 26 November 1902.
In January 1908 he was appointed as an Assistant Postman in Battersea and promoted to Postman in September 1909. The 1911 census shows the family were living at 46 Castle Street, Battersea and in August 1911 he was promoted to the grade of Sorter at the Western District Office. In January 1914 he joined the 8th (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Post Office Rifles) that was a Territorial Force and his Service Number was 1762. He was sent to France and arrived there on 18 March 1915.
He was killed in action, aged 26 years, on 28 June 1915 and is buried in Grave VII.F.6 at the Vielle-Chapelle New Military Cemetery, Lacouture, Pas de Calais, France. Probate was granted to his executor, his cousin George Edwin Appleyard, on 22 October 1915 and his estate totalled £193-1s-2d. Probate records also show that at the time of his death his home address was 29 Kersley Street, Battersea. On 23 November 1915 his effects from the army were returned, totalling £3-8s-6d. and on 20 May 1919 he was awarded a £3 War Gratuity that was paid to his estate. He was posthumously awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.
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