LEATHERHEAD WAR MEMORIALS - WWII

Private William George Grantham
Pioneer Corps

Town Memorial World War II

Pioneer Corps

PRIVATE
WILLIAM GEORGE GRANTHAM
Service Number: 5734705
Pioneer Corps
Died 03 September 1943
Age 38 years old
Buried or commemorated at
LEICESTER (SAFFRON HILL) CEMETERY
Sec. D. Gen. Grave 577.
Son of William James Grantham and Helen Grantham, husband of Gladys Amy Grantham of Leatherhead, Surrey.
Personal Inscription
HE HATH DONE ALL HE COULD

Market Harborough Advertiser and Midland Mail
Friday 10 September 1943
[damage to part of report image]

A TRAGIC ?COINCIDENCE
A fortnight ago we reported on a fatal accident to a prisoner whilst being conveyed with others in a lorry at Lubenham. The escort on that occasion was Private William Grantham, who gave evidence at the inquest.

A week later Grantham himself was killed by being knocked down by a horse and cart whilst supervising Italian prisoners working on a farm.

It was stated at the inquest that Grantham had no instructions to work, but preferred to do so. He was riding side-saddle on the horse and slipped, and the cart passed over his body A verdict of "Accidental death" was recorded.

The Pioneer Corps was not his first experience of military service. On 16 March 1922 in Dorking, at the age of 17y 7m and described as a Farm Labourer, he had enlisted in the Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment with the Regimental number 6079578.

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His life

William Grantham was born on 5 August 1905 and baptised at the parish church of Holy Trinity, Westcott, Surrey on 1 October 1905.

His father was William James Grantham, a Bricklayer's Labourer, born at West Clandon, Surrey 12 November 1889, a son of William James Grantham, a Labourer.

His mother was Edith Nellie née Hazeltine, born at Westcott, Surrey, 1 March 1881, a daughter of John Hazeltine, deceased, a Labourer. It is not known if she also went by the name Helen, as in the CWGC record.

They were married at Holy Trinity, Westcott, Surrey on 30 May 1903.

It is thought that William's siblings included Ellen, Alice Grace, Ruth and Henry.

In the 1911 Census he was with his parents at St John's Rd, Westcott.

In 1927 the family were at Westcott Street, Westcott.

William married Gladys Annie (Amy is the name in the CWGC record) Goldsmith on 9 February 1929 at Holy Trinity, Westcott, Surrey. He was 24 and a Bricklayer's Labourer, like his father, William James Grantham. 

Gladys was 22, born 21 Aug 1907 at Westcott, Surrey, described as a Domestic Servant living at Castle Mill, Dorking. Her father was George Francis Goldsmith, an Upholsterer.

William and Gladys lived at:
1935 15 Howard Road, Dorking
1937-39 15 Highlands Road, Leatherhead

In the 1939 England & Wales Register William and Gladys were at 15 Highlands Road, Leatherhead:
William G Grantham - Leatherhead Urban District Council Labourer
Gladys A Grantham - Office Cleaner

In an Electoral Register for 1937 Gladys was listed at 15 Highlands Road not as Gladys Annie but as Gladys Amy.

He is not on the Westcott War Memorial but that does have Arthur Grantham, the son of James and Ellen Grantham of Dorking, Surrey.

After the war

In 1952 those living at 15 Highlands Road were Fred H Adams, Gladys A Adams, Gladys Grantham and Roy Grantham.

A marriage between Gladys A Grantham and Fred H Adams was registered in July 1971 in Chard, Somerset.

In 1979 Probate was granted for Gladys Annie Adams of 32 Downsway, Great Bookham,  Leatherhead who died on 31 January 1979.
Alternatively, the death of Gladys Amy Adams born 21 August 1907 (tallies with the birth date above) was registered in October 1982, Surrey South Western District.

William Grantham is remembered on these memorials
Leatherhead Town Memorial
Leatherhead RBL Roll of Honour, Leatherhead Parish Church

the website editor would like to add further information on this casualty
e.g. a photo of him, his headstone, and any recollections of him

last updated 19 Aug 20