WWI soldier’s photo is finally coming home
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They contacted the Moseley Society Local History Group and received a reply from volunteer, Edwina Rees.
Ms Rees told the Grahams that, far from being forgotten, William’s story was well known to them, as the new owners of his childhood home in Moseley had come across pictures of the Furse family.
The society had managed to piece together details of William’s eventful life from a book about his regiment, dubbed the Birmingham Pals.
They discovered that he had founded the Silhill Football Club and, standing at 6ft 5in, held the distinction of being the tallest man in the British Army.
The society also discovered tragic circumstances of his death.
He was shipped to France in Janu- the ary 1916 and d hishi firstfi t andd onlyl f foray into combat came in July when he and his men took part in the Battle of the Somme.
During the battle, William stopped to light his pipe and because he was so tall, got hit by a stray bullet and died later.
He was buried in France, not far from where he fell. His brother Alan, who also served in France, found his grave and created a makeshift memorial out of an oak branch and stones.
Ms Rees when the would be bring the home.
“Moseley is the best final resting place for this brave officer’s legacy of said she was “thrilled” Grahams told her they coming to Moseley to photo back to William’s servicei tot hishi country,”t ” sheh said.id “We’re so pleased Graham and Linda took the time to do research and contact us.
“Sadly, both William and his two brothers died childless so we haven’t been able to trace any of their relatives, but are still hopeful of doing that.”
She said the picture and frame would now join the rest of the Furse family archives, but next year would be included in an exhibition marking the centenary of the end of the World War One.
Graham and Linda, who travelled to the UK on the Queen Mary, said they were delighted to hand the photo over to the society.
“It would be selfish for this to go to waste,” Graham said.