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Private William Arthur Lilley was serving with the 110th Field Ambulance of the Royal Army Medical Corps when he was killed in action 21st March 1918. |
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William Arthur Lilley was born on 29th May 1884. He was one of at least eight children, all born in the Magherafelt area. |
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Known family: Arthur Lilley, Elizabeth Lizzie Lilley, Samuel Lilley (born 6th June 1877), James Lilley (born 30th January 1879), John Lilley (born 20th July 1880), Mary Lilley (born 13th August 1882), William Arthur Lilley (born 29th May 1884), Jessie /Sissey Lilley (born 16th December 1885), Richard Lilley (born 11th December 1887). |
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The 1901 census lists Willie as age 16, living with the family at house 49 in Castledawson, County Londonderry. His mother was a widow. William was still at school. |
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William Lilley married Helena McCaskey on 11th July 1910 in Belfast. |
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The 1911 census lists William Arthur as age 24, living with his wife at house 7 in Bendigo Street, Ormeau, Belfast. William was a labourer in an Iron Works. |
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William and Helena had at least on child. Violet Lilley was born on 28th February 1912 in Belfast. |
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William Arthur Lilley was the son of Arthur and Elizabeth Lilley. Arthur Lilley and Lizzie Woodside were married on 15th September 1876 in the district of Magherafelt. |
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Private William Lilley entered the war in France on 5th October 1915. |
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Information courtesy of Nigel Henderson via Sam Hudson |
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Private William Arthur Lilley is buried in Ham British Cemetery in Muille-Villette, France. Unusually, there is no grave inscription |
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Private William Lilley is commemorated on the Roll of Honour for Mountpottinger Presbyterian Church in Belfast. |
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Private William Lilley and his brother are also commemorated on the family headstone in Knockbreda Cemetery in Belfast. |
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William’s older brother, Lance-Corporal Samuel Lilley, also died in the war. Samuel was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment when he was killed in action six months later on 29th September 1918. |
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William and his family went on to live at 62 Dunvegan Street, Belfast. |
