ASKINS, William

William Haskins lived in Brierley Hill and volunteered for the South Staffords. He went to the 8th (Service) Battalion which after home training was sent to the Western Front in July 1915 as part of the 17th Division. They were posted to the Ypres sector which, though regarded as quiet by this time, was still a dangerous area. An attempted attack at Hooge was unsuccessful and the Staffords suffered serious casualties in a German attack in February 1916.They were in the front line for the first day of the Somme on the 1st July and were one of the few units to make a substantial advance when Fricourt was taken. They attacked again on the 9th July but without artillery support and suffered many casualties. Among them was Private William Askins who was killed on the 10th July. He is commemorated on the Thiepval, Brierley Hill and Brierley Hill church Memorials.