Private 26828, "X" Company, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died 18/08/1916. Age 38.

 

The youngest of five children of Alfred Paternoster and Sarah nee Tye, of Little Bealings, Woodbridge, born Bealings. Sarah was born in Trimley St Mary. In 1901 & 1911 William is found working at the Orwell Hotel, Felixstowe as a gardener. His parents both died during that time and it is his oldest sister Ann Coker found as his next of kin on his military record, her address given as 1 Alpha Villas, Devon Road, Walton.

 

William joined "X" Company, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment some time in 1916, unfortunately we can't tell exactly when. The 2nd Battalion were at Mericourt at the beginning of August 1916 where training was carried out prior to moving to Sandpits on the 12th for further practise. On the 14th the company moved to the trenches of the Battle of Delville Wood, "X" Company were in Edward Trench. Between the 14th & 20th of August 1 Officer was killed & 1 wounded, 39 Other Ranks killed, 151 Wounded and 80 Missing. William was one of the missing at this time as he is recorded as Death Presumed on or since 18th August 1916. He was identified when they exhumed the burials from the battlefields and moved them to cemeteries. He is buried at Guillemont Road Cemetery.

 

William Worked at the Orwell Hotel with Albert Beail