William Henry Bangs
William Henry Bangs was born in Wheathampstead in 1891 and baptised there on 26th July, first son of Henry Bangs, a labourer and his wife Jane. He was born in the nearby hamlet of Gustard Wood.
His connection with Welwyn is seen in the 1911 Census, when he and his mother are to be found boarding with Louisa Knightley in ‘Farmyard’ - now known as Mimram Walk. His occupation is given as a Carter for a Coal Merchant.
He was one of the first local men to join up very shortly after the outbreak of war. He enlisted into the Bedfordshire Regiment at the first recruitment meeting held in St. Mary’s Hall and served in the 1st Battalion.
In December 1915 and January 1916 the 1st Battalion was in action around Bray-sur-Somme, where William was wounded. Clearly a man of some stoic humour he wrote to friend in Welwyn from his hospital bed -
‘I am as well as can be expected. I am in hospital with a wounded ankle from shrapnel. This reminds me of the battle of Hill 60, nine months ago. The 2nd Batt. of the Beds have taken up a position near us, which has proved most unfortunate for them, as they lost about a hundred men, mostly killed, I am sorry to say.
Well, Walter, we have about done for our mouth organ. How many can you spare? Send some if you possibly can, as we can make good use of them out here. We can give the Germans a tune now and then while we are in the trenches. We are getting a little better weather now to what we have had’
Perhaps unsurprisingly William’s nick-name appears to have been ‘Shoot ’em’
Back to William Henry Bangs
If you able to help with more information about
William Henry Bangs please contact us
