William Henry Ware
Private 203634
2nd Royal Berkshire Regiment.
Division 82 Extension
William Henry Ware was the eldest son of William and Alice Ware, of 50, Leopold Road, Orts Road, Reading. He was the husband of Beatrice Nellie Bull (formerly Ware nee Ward), of 62, Leopold Road, Orts Road, Reading. The couple married in February 1911.
The 1901 census shows William to have four younger brothers. The family were then living at 44, Albert Road, Reading. His father was a general labourer. In 1911, William was working at the Upper Ship Hotel, Duke Street and his occupation was described as ‘under boots’. The hotel had two under boots and one head boots. William, then aged 20, was married at the time of the census. Beatrice was still living with her family at 44, Hoisier Street, Reading.
William is commemorated on his parents grave, number 17776. The Berkshire Family History Society classification is 82A7. Therecord notes that Private Ware was serving with the 4th Royal Berkshire Regiment. The 4th Battalion was a Territorial Battalion and it is probable that he was moved into the 2nd Battalion in a draft to make up battalion numbers. Private Ware was remembered ‘In Memoriam’, 16th August 1919, by his two brothers Harold (full name Frederick Harold Ware), who had served as a Corporal in the Royal Army Service Corps, in France and Wally (full name Walter Redvers Ware) who served in the Royal Navy on H.M.S. Idaho. His brothers referred to him by the family name of ‘Timmy’.
William Ware was first reported as missing and later as killed in action on the 16th August 1917, aged 27. On this day the Allies attacked on a 9 mile front north of the Ypres Menin Road, crossing Steenbeek River and capturing all its objectives. This was part of what was known as the Third Battle of Ypres. Private Ware has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing.