8th December 2015 Willie Sandall – 4 & 5 North Street Wllie Sandall – Courmas British Cemetery In 1911 Willie Sandall was 11 years old living at 4 & 5 North St. (Part of this property was demolished in 2013 and the site being built on in 2015) He was born on July 30th 1899, the eldest of 5 children of Charles Sandall. Willie was born in Pytchley, Northamtonshire and the family later lived in Gosberton, Lincolnshire, before coming to Stamford sometime after 1903. His father worked in the brewery trade as a drayman and then a labourer. Willie joined up in November 1916. He was 5ft 6½ins and his fitness described as ‘Fair’. He was an electric motor fitter. Initially he was attached to the 85th Training Reserve Battalion then in Dec 1917 he was transferred to the 3rd Battalion Durham Light Infantry at South Shields. He was posted to the British Expeditionary Force in April 1918 serving with the 9th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry. By this time the 9th battalion were part of the 62nd West Riding division and in July they took part in the Battle of Tardenois, at the beginning of the Battle of the Marne. On July 21st 1918 he was reported missing, later confirmed killed in action. His personal property was returned to his family at 20 Bentley Street and his disc was forwarded to his parents in 1921. Willie is buried at Courmas British Cemetery in France.