Humphriss William Thomas

Poppy on a wooden cross

Age: 29
Date of birth: 1886

Parents: William and Rhoda Humphriss
Wife: Nora Daisy Merry
Address: 65 Pickard Street, Warwick

Occupation:

William Thomas Humphries (later used the family name Humphriss) was born in Leamington Priors in March 1886 and baptised at St John’s Church Leamington Spa on 17th March 1886.  His parents were William and Rhoda Humphries.  The 1901 census shows that he had two siblings: Alfred L (aged 13) and Edith (aged 9).  The family were still living at Leamington Priors at that time.

William married Norah Merry in Coventry in 1907.  Norah had been born in Nuneaton, Warwickshire.  By 1911 the couple were living at Providence Cottages, Holbrooks, Coventry.  William was working as an Electric Tram Cleaner.  They had their first daughter, Phyllis Daisy (b. 23.04.1909).  A second daughter, Nora Beatrice, followed in 1913 (b10.01.1913).

The CWGC records show that William’s wife, Nora, remarried after William’s death to a Mr Turrell, and the couple were living at 65 Pickard Street, Warwick.  By 1939 Nora had married again, to Ernest Berry.  There are several redactions but the remaining records show George Turrell (b1918), Edward Berry (b1925) and Reginald Berry (b1930) – so Nora had at least 5 children.

William and Nora’s daughter’s, Phyllis and Nora, remained living in Warwick for the rest of their lives.

Military Service

Rank & Number: Gunner, 18334
Regiment/Service: Royal Garrison Artillery
Brigade/Division: No. 6 Trench Battery
Date of death: 4th March 1916
Cause of death/Battle: Killed in Action
Commemorated/Buried: M.R. 20 Arras Memorial Park XI
Awards:
Commemorated locally at:

Contributors

  • Rachel Geddes – William’s ancestor
  • Unlocking Warwick Research Group