William George Borrett

A Private with the 7th Battalion, William died on 19th of July 1918 at the age of 24. 

William was born at Lowestoft in 1894, a son of Julius John and Elizabeth Ann Borrett. He was baptised at Saint John's Church, Lowestoft, on 7 October 1894, and his family lived at Fern Cottage, Rotterdam Road. In 1901 his family lived at 55 Stanley Street and, by 1911, at 69 Rotterdam Road, Lowestoft, and William worked as a market gardener.

William was working as an engineer's fitter for Elliott and Garrod Ltd. of Lowestoft, when enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft on 7 September 1914. He joined The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) and was sent, initially, to the Depot and, on 10 September, joined the 7th Battalion. He was on one of a number of Lowestoft men who had volunteered to join the Army and who enlisted into 7th Battalion The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). The 7th Battalion was part of the 18th (Eastern) Division and was based in the Colchester area during the first few months of its formation. 

William arrived in France with the 7th Battalion on 28 July 1915. On 22 October 1916 the 7th Battalion moved from Albert to take over the Fabec and High trenches. The Battalion War Diary for 26 October 1916 has:

Heavy shelling of our front and support lines from 5 a.m. to 6.30 a.m. Damage to trenches slight, Casualties slight.
12.00 noon three other ranks killed, eight wounded, four shell-shock.
12.05 orders received from 55 Infantry Brigade. 7th Royal West Kent Regiment will relieve 7th Buffs as soon as possible. 7th Buffs on relief will move to Albert.
4 p.m. Situation normal throughout day. Enemy shelling very will. 
10.30 p.m. Relief of 7th Buffs by 7th Royal West Kent Regiment complete.  

On 26 October William received significant wounds to his right arm and face. His right arm had to be amputated at the shoulder joint. William returned to England on 6 November 1916 and was posted to the strength of the Depot while he underwent hospital treatment. An Army Medical Board at King George's Hospital, London, 19 February 1917 concluded that he was no longer physically fit for service and he was discharged on 12 March 1917 with a pension of 25 shillings per week. He was awarded the Silver War Badge. 

William died at Lowestoft on 19 July 1918 from enteric fever: his family felt this was connected, in some way, to his military service. 

Note that William's service number is incorrectly shown on some records as having a GS prefix. 

William's service papers survive and can be found in WO 364.