ALDERSON, William Arthur

William Alderson was the son of John and Helen Alderson of 128 Stafford Street., Dudley, and he attended the Claughton school. He enlisted in the Royal Engineers and was sent to the 145 Army Troops Company. In the Spring of 1918 he was stationed near Armenti?res and faced the second German Spring offensive. It opened on the Lys on the 9th April. The Battle of Estaires was preceded by a long artillery barrage and then the German forces overwhelmed the shallow British and Portuguese defences. Gains of up to five miles were made and the troops fell back in retreat across the Lys. Private William Alderson was killed in action on the 9th April near Croix du Bac and probably in the attempt to defend the rive line. He was 22 years of age and is buried in Croix du Bac, Steenwerck, British Cemetery (IV E 7) and commemorated on the Dudley and Claughton school Memorials.