PAGE, William George


No.242539, Private, William George PAGE
Aged 36


1st/5th Battalion, Suffolk Yeomanry,
formerly 18370, Suffolk Regiment
Died of Illness on 13th November 1919


William George Page was born in West Wickham on 27th January 1884(Linton Q1-1884 3B:528) baptised in West Wickham on 9th March 1884, son of George and Emma PAGE (née MYNOTT).

1891 census...Aged 7, he was at The Street, West Wickham with his father George PAGE [35] farm labourer; his mother Emma [35]; sister Selina M [4]; brothers Thomas H [2] and Edward W [2 months]. All were born in West Wickham.

1901 census...Aged 17, a farm labourer, he was in West Wickham (near White Hart) with his parents, brothers John [20] farm labourer, Thomas and Edward; sisters Sophia [7], Florrie [5] and Eliza [2]; father's cousin Sarah PAGE [69]. All born in West Wickham.

1911 census...Aged 27, single, stockman, he was in West Wickham with his parents, brothers Thomas and Edward (farm labourers) and sister Eliza. All nine siblings survive.

Death registered Linton Q4-1919 3B:524 and buried in West Wickham on 18th November 1919


He enlisted on 6th February 1915 and his medal index card shows him in France by 19 October 1915, but the 5th Suffolks left Liverpool for Gallipoli in July 1915. The 1st/5th Suffolks served in Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine. William was discharged on 1st November 1918 , awarded Silver War Badge #B35406.
His award of the Silver War Badge gives cause of discharge as goitre, so there is a possibility of him being recognised on the National Book of Remembrance and getting a CWGC headstone. As his grave is unknown, such a stone would be marked "known to be buried in this graveyard" and placed in agreement with the graveyard owners. His death certificate states he was an Army pensioner and died of Graves Disease, an autoimmune disease often resulting in an enlarged thyroid (goitre)

His brother John enlisted in the 11th Suffolk on 7th December 1914. Awarded the Military Medal, he was discharged due to his wounds on 19th December 1918.

Brother Thomas Henry enlisted for 8 years in the Royal Artillery on 8th January 1912, but was discharged on 4th July 1914 as unfit for war service.



William Page is buried in West Wickham (St Mary's) Churchyard

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