Person:William Western (4)

From 6524.15 British Army List for 1930:

"  Western, William Henry. Born 20/11/1902. In RASC Ranks 9 Yrs 279 days. 2nd Lt 1/9/1927."

From a January 1st, 1993, letter from his brother Edward James Western: "William Henry Western (20.11.02 - 1.1-46) Educated Simon Langton School Canterbury 1917. Joined Royal Engineers as a boy soldier. 1920/21 sat & failed entrance exam to Royal Military College, Sandhurst having obtained special leave from his army unit. 1923 specially selected by War Office to enter Royal Military College, Sandhurst, together with five other men from Army ranks - among these was cousin Sidney Parsons. 1924/25 Commissioned into the Royal Army Service Corps 1928 -1933 served in Palestine and Egypt. 1932 Married in Egypt Margaret Naylor from Eltham. 1937-1939 Adjutant to Cavalry regiment (T.A.) in Cheshire. On outbreak of war were posted to Palestine. In 1940 he was sent to East Africa as Deputy Director of Supplies & Transport with H.Q. in Nairobi. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel 1943/ 44 posted to H.Q. in Cairo 1945 posted back to U.K. as Officer Commanding Catterick Military Camp. In September complained of severe headaches which were diagnosed as caused by tumour on the brain. Operation was performed on 31st December from which he did not recover and died on 1st January 1946 in the Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.

His marriage was not a happy one and literally broke down on his going to Palestine. He divorced his wife in 1945 obtaining custody of both boys of the marriage, David aged 10 and Michael aged 9. David was killed as the result of a motorcycle accident on the Exeter Okehampton Road in 1957. Michael now 56 lives in St. Albans, Hertfordshire. He is on his second marriage having been divorced by his first wife by whom he has two sons David and Mark. Mark was married 18 months ago and David is getting married this coming 30th January."

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From the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database:

"In Memory of William Henry Western

                                       Lieutenant Colonel
                                             38541
                                  Royal Army Service Corps
                                          who died on
                             Tuesday, 1st January 1946. Age 43.

Additional Information: 
                        Son of Walter and Elizabeth Ann Western, of Exeter. 
                                 
Cemetery: 
                        EXETER (EXWICK OR ST. THOMAS) CEMETERY, Devon, United Kingdom
Grave Reference/  Panel Number:   Sec. AR. Grave 15."

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1. ↑ Birth certificate : ONS Exeter 1902 Dec 5b 68.
2. ↑ Commonwealth War Graves Commission database
   ?.
3. ↑ Commonwealth War Graves Commission database.