Gilks, William Henry

William was born in Pillerton Hersey in 1880.  His parents were John Henry Gilks and Jane Dunckley.  He was baptised on 4th July 1880 at Pillerton Hersey church.

He was the eldest of 5 children, his brother and three sisters being Walter (b. 1883), Edith Jane (b. 1886 but died 1907),  Sarah Elizabeth (b. 1888), and Amy (b. 1891).

In 1901 William was living with the family at 20 Barrack Street.

On 12th June 1905 he married Martha Emma Bonham in St Mary’s Church. He and Martha then lived at 46 Albert Street.

By 1911 William had three children William Ernest (5), Edith Elsie (3) and Daniel (1).  The couple had a further two children – Doris, born in 1912 and George Henry, born in 1914, shortly before the war.  William died of meningitis.

Warwick Advertiser 22nd April 1916

William was buried in Warwick Cemetery on 15th April 1916.  He is also commemerated on the GWR Roll of Honour at Leamington Spa and Moor Street Stations as he was a Platelayer for the company.