Rackley, W H
WILLIAM HENRY RACKLEY
Remembered with honour Caberet-Rouge British Cemetery: Plot VIII, Row Q, Grave 38.
He attested 29 May 1916 at Watford for Short Service (Duration of the War): a hay cutter aged 27, 5’10½” tall, married, of Watford. He served at Home 30 September 1916 to 16 July 1917, and in France from 17 July 1917 until his death. He was fitted with dentures 30 June 1916, and promoted to Lance-Bombardier 20 February 1918. He was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and was killed in action. He was originally buried in Blairville British Cemetery 5 miles SSW of Arras.
Son of Henry and Henrietta (nee VENABLES) RACKLEY; husband of Rose (nee SAUNDERS) RACKLEY.
His parents married 1 August 1887 at St Paul’s, Langleybury, Herts. Henry died 1931 aged 70; Henrietta died 1939 aged 78; both in the Willesden, London, district.
William was born 20 December 1888 in Bovingdon, Herts, and baptised 7 April 1889 at St Paul’s, Langleybury. He married 24 September 1910 at St Mellitus’, Hanwell, Middx; they had two children. Rose never remarried, she died 1918 in Watford aged 37, and was buried 9 December in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford.
On the 1891 Census, aged 2 he lived in Fulmer, Bucks, with his parents and one sibling. On the 1901 Census, aged 12 he lived in Willesden with his parents and one sibling. On the 1911 Census, a hay binder aged 22, he lived in West Hendon, Middx, with his wife and no children.
- 1st S.W. Herts Scout Troop [in St Mary's Parish Church Watford] (4)
- Abbot's Langley Herts War Memorial (17)
- Aldbury Herts War Memorial (1)
- Aldenham Herts War Memorial (located in Letchmore Heath Herts) (8)
- All Saints Church Croxley Green Herts (12)
- All Saints Church Harrow Weald Middx (2)
- All Saints Church Hertford (1)
- All Saints Church King's Langley Herts (1)
- All Saints Church Leavesden Herts (31)
- All Saints Church Witham Essex (3)