Retired hero who returned to battle at 51 out of fear for recruits’ lives
Readers share their memories of loved ones who fought… and died
As we approach the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, we will be telling the stories of the ordinary people who made an extraordinary sacrifice. Roderick Shrigley, 70, of Pontypool, South Wales, pays tribute to his grandfather who bravely enlisted aged 51.
William Henry Shrigley had served in the Army for 26 and a half years. He fought in the Boer War, served in India for nine years and in South Africa for nine months, and had retired from active service by the time the war broke out. We believe he was then 51. Nevertheless, in 1914 he enlisted in Glasgow in the 12th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry as a Company Sergeant Major, No 19066. His job was to train recruits. But when the time came for the recruits to depart, he was afraid for them. Although at 51 he was not expected to enter the battlefield, he decided to go with his troops because of their inexperience. William was killed at the Battle of Loos on September 25, 1915. By then he was 52. He left behind three young sons and a daughter.
This was 12th Highland’s first action. The unit helped capture Hill 70 but was caught by enemy fire on both flanks. By the time they were ordered to withdraw, they had lost 553 men.
William has no marked grave, but is commemorated at the Loos Memorial in Pas de Calais, France. I feel very proud to be the grandson of a very visit his the death. bagpipes his courageous memorial I was played privileged man, on when the and 100th to he so be went glad anniversary allowed I into was battle. to able hold of to I feel so proud that he volunteered because he feared for the lives of the troops he had been training. He was a caring man who did not fear for his own safety, only that of others. William, I never had the chance to meet you but I’ll never forget you. He is a hero in my eyes.