William Lanchester
M, #568, b. 17 August 1878
William Lanchester was born on 17 August 1878 at Fersfield, Norfolk, England.1 He was the son of Walter Lanchester and Mary Wright.
He was listed as head of household's son in the 1881 census at Bateses Lane, Fersfield, Norfolk, England. Those recorded in the household were: Walter Lanchester, head; Mary Lanchester, wife; James Lanchester, son; Horace Lanchester, son; Herbert Lanchester, son; William Lanchester, son.2
He was baptized at Fersfield Parish Church, Fersfield, Norfolk, England, on 29 June 1884. Religion: Church of England.1
He was listed as head of household's son in the 1891 census at Bale's Lane, Fersfield, Norfolk, England. Those recorded in the household were: Walter Lanchester, head; Mary Lanchester, wife; Harry Lanchester, son; James Lanchester, son; Herbert Lanchester, son; William Lanchester, son.3
He married Mary Ann Land at St. John the Baptist's Church, Bressingham, Norfolk, England, on 13 August 1907.
He was listed as head of household in the 1911 census at Wilney Green, Bressingham, Norfolk, England. Those recorded in the household were: William Lanchester, head; Mary A Lanchester, wife; Ernest W Lanchester, son; Florence M Lanchester, daughter; Walter Lanchester, lodger.4
William Lanchester at Wilney Green, Bressingham, Norfolk, England, on 5 February 1915, completed a short service attestation for recruitment into the Coldstream Guards, which shows his occupation as a woodman, his wife Mary Ann Land, and children Ernest Walter Land, Florence May Lanchester, Gertrude Alice Lanchester and Kathleen Frances Lanchester.5 He ended military service on 25 September 1915 at Coldstream Guards.5,6
He was listed as head of household's son in the 1881 census at Bateses Lane, Fersfield, Norfolk, England. Those recorded in the household were: Walter Lanchester, head; Mary Lanchester, wife; James Lanchester, son; Horace Lanchester, son; Herbert Lanchester, son; William Lanchester, son.2
He was baptized at Fersfield Parish Church, Fersfield, Norfolk, England, on 29 June 1884. Religion: Church of England.1
He was listed as head of household's son in the 1891 census at Bale's Lane, Fersfield, Norfolk, England. Those recorded in the household were: Walter Lanchester, head; Mary Lanchester, wife; Harry Lanchester, son; James Lanchester, son; Herbert Lanchester, son; William Lanchester, son.3
He married Mary Ann Land at St. John the Baptist's Church, Bressingham, Norfolk, England, on 13 August 1907.
He was listed as head of household in the 1911 census at Wilney Green, Bressingham, Norfolk, England. Those recorded in the household were: William Lanchester, head; Mary A Lanchester, wife; Ernest W Lanchester, son; Florence M Lanchester, daughter; Walter Lanchester, lodger.4
William Lanchester at Wilney Green, Bressingham, Norfolk, England, on 5 February 1915, completed a short service attestation for recruitment into the Coldstream Guards, which shows his occupation as a woodman, his wife Mary Ann Land, and children Ernest Walter Land, Florence May Lanchester, Gertrude Alice Lanchester and Kathleen Frances Lanchester.5 He ended military service on 25 September 1915 at Coldstream Guards.5,6
Children of William Lanchester and Mary Ann Land
- Ernest Walter Land b. 1 Jun 1907
- Florence May Lanchester b. 26 Jan 1909
- Gertrude Alice Lanchester b. 8 May 1911
- Kathleen Frances Lanchester b. 24 Oct 1914
Citations
- [S267] William Lanchester, Baptism entry, "William, baptised 29 June 1884, born 17 Aug 1878. Parents: Walter and Mary Lanchester, Fersfield, labourer."
- [S64] 1881, English Census, "William Lanchester, son, single, aged 2, born in Fersfield, Norfolk, resident at Bateses Lane."
- [S158] 1891, English Census, "William Lanchester, son, single, aged 12, born in Fersfield, Norfolk, scholar, resident at Bale's Lane."
- [S4825] 1911, English Census, "William Lanchester, head, male, age 33, marriage (sic), labourer on farm, worker, born in Norfolk, Bressingham, resident at Bressingham, Wilney Green, 4 rooms in dwelling."
- [S4821] William Lanchester, Military Records UK, Army Form B. 2505
SHORT SERVICE (For the Duration of the War) ATTESTATION OF
No: 15299, Name: Wm Lanchester, Corps: Coldstream Guards.
Questions to be put to the Recruit before enlistment:
1. What is your name? William Lanchester
2. What is your full Address? Wilney Green, Bressingham, Nr Diss
3. Are you a British Subject? Yes
4. What is your Age? 37 Years 6 Months
5. What is your Trade or Calling? Woodman
6. Are you Married? Yes
7. Have you ever served in any branch of His Majesty's Forces, naval or military? Yes, 4th VBNR 3 years
8. Are you willing to be vaccinated or re-vaccinated? Yes
9. Are you willing to be enlisted for General Service? Yes
10. Did you receive a Notice, and do you understand its meaning, and who gave it to you? Yes, Name: Wheale Corps: PPR
11. Are you willing to serve upon the following conditions provided His Majesty should so long require your services? Yes
For the duration of the War, at the end of which you will be discharged with all convenient speed. If employed with Hospitals, depots of Mounted Units, and as Clerks, etc., you may be retained after the termination of hostilities until your services can be spared, but such retention shall in no case exceed six months.
DESCRIPTIVE REPORT ON ENLISTMENT
Name: William Lanchester
Apparent age: 37 years 6 months
Height: 5 feet 8½ inches
Chest measurement: Girth when fully expanded 36½ inches, Range of expansion 2 inches
Distinctive marks:
INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY RECRUIT
Name and Address of next of kin: Mary Ann Lanchester, Wilney Green, Bressingham, Nr Diss, Relationship: Wife
Particulars as to Marriage
(a) Christian and Surname of Woman to whom married: Mary Ann Land (spinster)
(b) Place and date of marriage: Parish Church Bressingham, Norfolk, 10th August 1907
(c) Present address: W. Collins Badger
(d) Initials of Officer verifying entry: G. Howard, A. Nauburgh
Particulars as to Children
Christian Names, Date and Place of Birth
Ernest Walter Land, 1st June 1907, Diss
Florence May Lanchester, 26 Jany 1909, Diss
Gertrude Alice Lanchester, 8 May 1911, Diss
Kathleen Frances Lanchester, 24 Oct 1914, Diss
STATEMENT OF THE SERVICES
Service towards limited engagement reckons from 5-2-1915
Joined at London on 7-2-1915
Corps in which served: Coldstream Guards, Regt. or Depot: 4, Attested, Army Rank: Pte, 5-2-1915
Regt. or Depot: 5, Parted, Army Rank: Pte, 12-8-1915
Discharged, Army Rank: Pte, 25-9-1915
"NOT LIKELY TO BECOME AN EFFICIENT SOLDIER"
On medical grounds
Total Service towards Engagement to 25/9/1915, - years 233 days. - [S4822] William Lanchester, Military Records UK, Army Form B. 204
Application for Discharge of a Recruit as not likely to become an efficient Soldier
Regiment: Coldstream Guards (14th Comp)
No: 15299, Name: Lanchester, W
Date of Attestation: 5.3.15 (sic)
Age: 39 Years (sic)
Height: 5 feet, 8½ inches
Weight: lbs
Chest measurement: Girth when fully expanded 36½ inches, Range of expansion 2 inches
Passed at Norwich Recruiting Area or Station.
Medically examined by
Approved by
Cause of objection to be fully stated here: Varicose Vein right leg of red standing, he stated that it has given him trouble for a long time and is painful after exertion. He is unfit for the duties of a soldier. Has had an attack of phlebitis in hospital.
Signature of Medical Officer: E.G.Thomas
Remarks by Officer transmitting the Return.
Recommended.