ATTWOOD, William

William Attwood was the son of Geoffrey and Eliza Attwood of 15 Hill Street, Hasbury, Halesowen. He volunteered for the Royal Navy and joined the Royal Naval Division serving in Nelson Battalion. Their long stint on the Somme in the Autumn 1916 was arduous and costly. They had failed to capture Grandcourt and needed time out of line. The winter, however, was exceptionally cold and little action was possible. Nevertheless, the German forces started their retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in April the Division was ready for action again. A major attack at Arras was planned for the 9th April. Private William Attwood, however, had been sick and died on the day before. He was 28 years of age and is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery (VI C 64) and commemorated on the Halesowen Memorial.