Somers, William John Reeves

Corporal William John Reeves Somers

was born in Chichester, Sussex on 7th August 1884 to Walter John Somers and Mrs Somers, of Glenfarg Road, Catford, London.

William served in the Royal Navy (Pembroke) as an Errand Boy between 10th October 1900 and 17th September 1901. He is recorded as having 'a scar of a cut on his left thumb'.

Royal Naval record - W J R Somers

The 1901 English census records William as being in the Royal Naval Chatham Dockyard, Kent, England.

Later on, he joined the Belfast Banking Company and worked in Western branch (Shankill Road, Belfast). 

Belfast Bank, Western branch, Shankill Road

Walter married Katherine Annie Johnston on 20th December 1909 at the Registrars Office, Belfast. He gave his address as Peoples Palace, Donegall Road, Belfast.

In late 1914, William volunteered and enlisted as a Private into the 2nd Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment with a Service Number of 6660 later to be L/6660. The National Archives also record a Service Number of 358816. His first theatre of war is recorded as from 31st August 1914.

 Wm J R Somers - Medal Index Card

William was serving as a Corporal when he was killed in action on 9th May 1915 in Richebourg L'avoue aged 31. William is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, Pas De Calais, France. There is also a family grave in Ilford Cemetery, Essex, England. 

The Belfast Bank 'Roll of Honour booklet' records his death:

Belfast Bank 'Roll of Honour' booklet

Cpl Wm Somers was awarded the 1914 Star, the British War Medal and the British Victory Medal.

Wm J R Somers - Medal Roll 

The Register of Soldiers Effects records that Wm Somers pay totalling £12 8s 6d was distributed to his widow in 3 instalments between 1915 to 1919.

W J R Somers - Register of Soldiers Effects 

A Pension Record card was created for Wm Somers in respect of his widow, Kate Annie Somers (dob 12th February 1885) and his 2 children; William John (dob 17th October 1910) and Arthur Leonard (dob 14th April 1913). A pension of 18/6 later increased to 19/- was authorised.

Wm J R Somers - Pension Record Card 

Cpl Wm J R Somers is remembered on the Belfast Banking Company war memorial in St. Anne's Cathedral, Belfast.