William Lewis Hoadley

Rank: Lance Corporal

Regiment: 7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment

Parents: PC William & Mrs Hagar Hoadley

Address: 24a Milward Road, Hastings

Other Info: According to CWGC, William died aged 19 on 19th October 1915. William is buried at Bethune Town Cemetery, grave reference IV.F.55.

A correspondent found William Hoadley’s soldier’s Bible in a French shop in 2023. They have tried to find a home for it in museums, to no avail. Images of the Bible are below.

On 6th November 1915, the Hastings Observer reported that: “Police-Constable Hoadley of 65a Milward Road has sustained a said bereavement in the death of his only son, William Lewis, whilst on active service.

He was a Lance-Corporal in the 7th Royal Sussex Regiment, and 19 years of age and died as the result of his wounds received at Loos. In his boyhood days the Lance-Corporal was a member of the Holy Trinity Choir and the Boy’s Brigade. Later he joined the Scouts. Three days after the outbreak of war he enlisted and went to the Front between five and six months ago. Since then he has had many exciting experiences.

Hoadley served three year’s apprenticeship to the grocery trade, and at the time of his enlistment held a good situation at a Hastings shop. He was a good swimmer, and won prizes as a school boy at the Hastings Baths, and he was also one of the successful competitors at the swimming carnival promoted by Mr du Cros, and carried out at Shornden Reservoir. Together with Police Constable Craske, Hoadley was clever in making high dives at the Baths.

It is worthy of note that up to date members of the Hastings Police Force have had three sones killed and two wounded at the Front.”

Published: September 1914 & May 1916

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