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.
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.
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/
Birth of William James Shortland registered June quarter 1874 in Dudley.
Marriage of William Shortland and Elizabeth Rose registered June quarter 1898 in Dudley.
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.
Wm 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 Tipton), Elsie (8, School, born Tipton), Wilfred (4, born Bilston), and Dora (1, born Bilston).
William is shown on 'Soldier's Died in the Great War' as having been born in Tipton, hence William had stated this at his enlistment. However, all the census records from 1881 to 1911, with the exception of 1901 when he was living in Tipton, record that that he was born in Sedgley. The 1871, 1881 and 1891 Census show the Shortland family living in Victoria Street, Sedgley. Most of the evidence points to him being a Sedgley man, but the entry in 'Soldiers Died in the Great War' gives him a claim to being a Tipton man, so he is included here.
William enlisted with the South Staffs early in 1914. He was posted to the 3rd Battalion which was a depot/training unit which had been moved to Plymouth at the outbreak of war.
William never served abroad and died in No. 4 Southern General Hospital on 6th July 1915 whilst under going training in Plymouth. It is not known if his death was due to illness or resulted from an accident. He is buried in Efford Cemetery, Plymouth.
William's widow, Elizabeth, received £2/10/0d (2 pounds, 10 shillings) in outstanding pay in 1915, and a War Gratuity of £3/0/0d in November 1919.
None.