Else, William Edwin

Rank:

Captain

Regiment:

Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)

Regimental No. & Battalion

17th Bn. "D" Coy

Status:

Killed in action

Research Notes

Derbyshire Times 12 January 1918
CRICH LIEUTENTANT KILLED
The inhabitants of Crich and Fritchley were greatly grieved when they received the sad news that Lieutenant William E. Else of the Shrewood Foresters, son of Coun. Charles J. Else of The Lodge Fritchley had been killed in action on the Western Front on the 3rd inst. Lieutenant Else joined the Army in September 1914 as a private and he was promoted second lieutenant in February 1915, apparently he was promoted whilst in France to the rank of lieutenant. He was over in December 1917 on 14 days leave. The late Mr Else was 24 years of age. He was educated at Dartford Grammar and Derby Schools, and afterwards was engaged on the staff at Parr's Bank, Matlock. On the declaration of war he was one of the most enthusiastic in the district in encouraging recruits for the Army. On December 13th 1916 he married Miss Ada Evelyn Kay, daughter of Mr A. Kay the manager of Messrs Richard Johnson and nephew's wire mill at Ambergate.

1901 Census: Bull Bridge

1911 Census: Park Lodge, Fritchley

William married Ada E Kay in the Q4 of 1916.

Two of William's brothers are also on the Roll of Honour, Guy Else and Charles Else

Charles Beresford in his book "The Bath at War" wrote about the death of William. He noted that he was well known in Matlock Bath as he worked at Parr's Bank on the Parade. William had joined the Public Schools battalion on the 15th September 1914 and was commissioned to the 10th Sherwood Foresters some four months later. On New Years Eve he was attached to the 17th Sherwood Foresters in the Ypres area. The battalions's War Diary described everything as being quiet. It was snowing and the Germans could be heard singing. The 17th were due to be relieved by the 16th Foresters on the 3rd January 1918 but it was on this day that William was shot in the head by a German sniper and died instantly. He was just twenty-four years old and married but a year. The War Office telegram was sent to William's parents
"To Else, Park Lodge, Fritchley. Derby.
Deeply regret to inform you Lieut W E Else Sherwood Foresters was killed in action January third The Army Council express their sympathy"
His wife Ada (née Kay) was working at the War Pensions Department in Derby.

[William was an acting captain when he was killed and although recommended for a MC this was not awarded.]

The fourth bell in St Mary's, which was recast in 1928, is dedicated to him.

Ref: “The Bath At War A Derbyshire Community and the Great War” by Charles Beresford COUNTRY BOOKS/ASHRIDGE PRESS 2007 ISBN 978 1 901214 91 8

Further information courtesy Martyn Offord