Driver 70274 William Edward Hitchen

Family details:
Son of Alfred and Ellen Hitchen, of 48, Newton Rd., Billinge, near Wigan.

Census details:
1901 - 5 years old William E is living at 17 Beacon Lane, Billinge with parents Alfred (37), Ellen (34) and sister Ellen E (1). 1911 - Sees 15 years old 'Coal Miners Lab (Below Ground)' William E living at 28 Newton Road, Billinge with parents Alfred (47), Ellen (45) and three siblings: Ellen Elvie (11), Fred (8), Elias (3).

Notes:
[url=lmem.php?lmem=39]Remembered On The St. Aidan's C of E Church Memorial[/url]

William was born on the 15th of January 1896 the son of Alfred and Ellen Hitchen of 17 Beacon Lane, Billinge, and was baptised on the 1st of March 1896 in St. Aidan`s C.E. Church. The family moved to 48 Newton Road and William enlisted at Wigan in January 1915 to join the Royal Field Artillery. While he was serving in France he died there of disease on Tuesday the 18th of June 1918 aged 22 years and was buried in the St. Flochel British Cemetery, Averdoingt, Pas-de-Calais, France, grave 1.D.7. His name is recorded on St. Aidan`s C.E. Church Memorial and on the family grave headstone in St. Aidan`s Churchyard, grave 12/27. Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan`s Church Registers; St. Aidan`s Parish Magazine, July 1918. [url=http://sthelens-connect.net/sitefiles/billinge-history.pdf]Information Courtesy of The Billinge History Society[/url] [pic]imgs/WW1_headstones/HitchenWE_RFA.jpg[/pic][caption]The headstone of Driver William Edward Hitchen at Ligny-St. Flochel British Cemetery, Averdoingt (Photograph Courtesy of Ste M.)[/caption]