Private 16619 William Shortland

Died Home on Tuesday, 6th July 1915, age 41.
Buried in Grave Church C. 4585. at Plymouth (Efford) Cemetery, Plymouth, England.

3rd Bn., South Staffordshire Regiment.

Husband of Mrs Elizabeth Shortland, of 9 Broadwater Road, Moxley, Staffs.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: Darlaston, Resident: Moxley, Staffs.

Never served abroad.
Medal entitlement: No medal entitlement.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Not commemorated on any Tipton memorial, but commemorated on the Moxley War Memorial.
Commemorated here because identified as Tipton on 'Soldiers Died in the Great War'.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2852647/

Genealogical Data

Birth of William James Shortland registered June quarter 1874 in Dudley. He was born on 21st February 1874 at Victoria Street, Princes End, to James and Ann Shortland.
Marriage of William Shortland and Elizabeth Rose registered June quarter 1898 in Dudley. They married on May 15th 1898 at St. Martin's Church, Tipton.

1901 Census
51 Workhouse Lane, Tipton, Staffs.
William Shortland (27, Bricklayer's Labourer, born Tipton), his wife Lizzie (22, born Buckinghamshire), and their 2 children: James (3, born Tipton), and Alice (5 months, born Tipton).

1911 Census
21 Free Street, Bilston, Staffs.
William Shortland (37, General Labourer in Steelworks, born Sedgley), his wife Lizzie (32, born Buckinghamshire), and their 5 surviving children of 6: Jim (13, School, born Tipton), Alice (10, School, born 17 October 1900 in Tipton), Elsie (8, School, born 31 March 1903 in Tipton), Wilfred (4, born 25 March 1907 in Bilston), and Dora (1, born Bilston). Sadly, Dora died in 1913. Another child, Annie Elizabeth, was born on 3 November 1914.

Personal Data

William was born in Victoria Street, Princes End; this is the very border between Tipton and Coseley - Coseley then being within the borough of Sedgley. The Shortland family did not move far, at the time of the 1881 and 1891 census they were still living in Victoria Street. William is shown on "Soldier's Died in the Great War" as having been born in Tipton, hence this is what William must have stated at his enlistment.

In September 1894, William enlisted with the King's Shropshire Light Infantry (Private 4539). He stated that he was currently serving in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment. He was aged 22 years, 5 feet 5¾ inches tall and weighed 122 pounds. He had a 'fresh' complexion, grey eyes, brown hair, and said he was Church of England. He was initially in the 2nd battalion, but transferred to the 1st battalion, and sailed for India in November 1895.

His time in India was marred by medical issues, starting with recurring nasal polyps. During treatment in September 1896, 'insular sclerosis of cerebrum and spinal column' was diagnosed; today we would say multiple sclerosis. Tremors, lack of grip and reduced muscular strength were noted, and treatment was noted as: 'diet, arsenic and strychnine'. He left Bombay in October 1896 on S.S. Britannia, and although he was noted as "improved during the voyage", he was discharged as permanently medically unfit in December 1896.

Despite this worrying diagnosis William resumed his civilian life, marrying in 1898, and working as a labourer until the outbreak of the Great War. This does query the correctness of the diagnosis of "insular sclerosis" in 1896 - some 18 years earlier. Although 40 years of age, William volunteered for service and managed to pass the medical examination to join the South Staffordshire regiment.

After William's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £2/10/0d (2 pounds and 10 shillings) but after money reclaimed by the army just 6/2d (6 shillings and 2 pence) was paid to his widow, Elizabeth, in December 1915. His War Gratuity was £3/0/0d (3 pounds exactly), this was also paid to Elizabeth in August 1919. The value of the War Gratuity shows that William died within 12 months of enlisting.

William's widow, Elizabeth, was awarded a Widow's Pension of £1/5/0d (1 pound and 5 shillings) per week for herself and her 4 children, this was effective from 10th January 1916. Her address was given as 9 Broadwater Road, Moxley, Staffs. Subsequent addresses appear to have been 2 Broadwater Road, and 7 Queen Street, Moxley.

Action resulting in his death

William enlisted with the South Staffs soon after the declaration of war. He was posted to the 3rd Battalion which was a depot/training unit which had moved to Plymouth at the outbreak of war.

William did not live long enough to see overseas service. While undergoing training in Plymouth, he was taken ill and died on 6th July 1915 in No. 4 Southern General Hospital, Plymouth. His cause of death was noted as 'Pleurisy contracted on Active Service - heart failure'.

William is buried in Efford Cemetery, Plymouth.

Newspaper Cuttings

None.