Ashtead War Memorials - WWI - Signaller William Lisney MM
1st Bn, Gloucestershire Regiment

William was born in Ashtead [reg. Epsom 12/1895] as a son of George Lisney [born Great Bookham], a Gardener, and his wife, Emily Ann, [born Liverpool, Lancashire]. In 1901, the family lived in North Lodge, Ashtead Park, presumably because George was employed by Pantia Ralli, Lord of the Manor. Later, however, they moved to 4 Felix Cottages, Crampshaw Lane, Ashtead.

William enlisted in Epsom on 5th September 1914, for the 3rd Hussars, stating the he was born in Ashtead and was aged 19. At some point he joined the 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment. The Battalion had landed at Le Havre on 13 August 1914. It was part of 3rd Brigade, 1st Division which remained on the Western Front throughout the War and took part in most of the major actions.

The Military Medal was an award established on 25 March 1916 but backdated to 1914. Private W Lisney’s name appears, as a recipient, in a Supplement to the London Gazette dated 3 June 1916 but no citation was published and it is impossible to say when his act of gallantry took place.

In August, during the Battle of Pozieres Ridge, 23 July-3 September 1916, a salient north of Pozieres was pushed out to Mouquet Farm. One assumes that William must have been injured in the course of that engagement to be evacuated to one of the three Casualty Clearing Stations that had been established at Heilly Station between April and July 1916. There he died of his wounds [on 25th August 1916] aged only 20, and was interred at Mericourt-L’Abbé.

Links
Battle of Pozieres Ridge
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Medal

text by Brian Bouchard: if you can add to this page please contact the editor
page added 4 Mar 2009: updated 5 Mar 09: 28 Nov 16