Brandon, W J

WILLIAM JAMES BRANDON

Remembered with honour Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No. 1: Plot V, Row B, Grave 56.

He originally enlisted 14 September 1908 in Watford in the Royal Field Artillery, Hertfordshire Battery: a moulder employed by Mr RODGERS of New Bushey, Herts, aged 19, 5’5″ tall.  He was discharged 13 September 1912 on the termination of his engagement.

He re-enlisted in Watford, and was formerly Private 25879 Royal Army Service Corps.  He was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and died of wounds received in action.  Unfortunately, William’s W.W.1 Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.

There is an article about and a Death announcement for William in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 30 March 1918; plus an In Memoriam in the issue dated 22 March 1919.

Son of Mark and Fanny (nee JORDAN) BRANDON of Watford; husband of Annie Victoria (nee KILBY) BRANDON of Oxhey, Herts.

His parents married 30 April 1887 at Emmanual Church, Streatham Common, London.  Mark died 1920 in Watford aged 62, and was buried 4 October at St James’, Bushey, Herts.  Fanny possibly remarried 1928 in the Watford district to John H ATKINS.

William was born 21 April 1889 in Oxhey, and baptised 31 May 1889 at St Matthew’s, Oxhey.  He married 2 August 1913 at St Matthew’s, Oxhey; they had one child.  He resided in Oxhey.  Annie remarried 1921 in the Watford district to Arthur Joseph GILBERT; she died 1 May 1949 in Watford aged 61, and was buried 5 May in Vicarage Road Cemetery.

On the 1891 Census, aged 1 he lived in Bushey, with his parents and one sibling.  On the 1901 Census, aged 11 he lived in Oxhey, with his parents and four siblings.  On the 1911 Census, an iron moulder aged 21, he was a boarder in Bedford.