William Henry Linder

A Private with 1st Bn., William died on 24th of April 1915 at the age of 23. 

William was born at Lowestoft on 29 November 1891, a son of Samuel Joseph and Minnie Linder. He was baptised at Saint Peter's Church, Kirkley, on 3 January 1892. In 1901 his family were living at 71 Lawson Road, Lowestoft. By 1911 William's father had died and William worked as a clothier's shop assistant. In September 1914 he worked for Mr. Thomas Foort, clothier, High Street, Lowestoft.  

William volunteered and joined the Army at Lowestoft. He enlisted in the Suffolk Regiment. He arrived in France on 1 April 1915 to join the 1st Battalion. 

On 22 April 1915, at the northern end of the Ypres Salient near St Julien, the French and Canadian troops were subjected to a gas attack. This attack caused the troops to retreat and caused up to 5,000 deaths and 15,000 casualties. The Germans  advanced 3-4 km, broke the Allied lines and threatened Ypres. The 1st Battalion Suffolk Regiment moved forward and fought alongside the 1st Canadian Division to counter the German attack. 

The 1st Battalion was taken out of the line on 24 April and went into reserve near Frezenberg. However, they were immediately ordered to take up a position on the Frezenberg Ridge near the village of Fortuin. They took a position of the left flank of the Canadians. The Battalion was also exposed to a gas attack, suffering a large number of casualties.

The Battalion was taken out of the line on 28 April. They had suffered 400 casualties in the previous 10 days. The Battalion was heavily shelled and suffered repeated mortar attacks. The ranks had been severely depleted.

William was missing and in October 1916 is was presumed that he had been killed in action on 24 April 1915. 

William's brother Joseph died in 1918 whilst serving with the 7th Battalion Suffolk Regiment.