BARTRAM, William Ransom

William Bartram was the son of William Cole and Annie Bartram of 48 Hellier Street, Dudley. He enlisted in the King's Shropshire Light Infantry and was sent to the 7th Battalion. He was one of the youngest conscript cohorts and these men were only released from their Training Battalions after the 1918 German Spring offensives. The Shropshire battalion was in the 3rd Division and at the end of September were engaged in the crucial battles which effectively achieved victory in the war. On the 27th September they were positioned close to the scene of the 1917 battle of Cambrai. They won the village of Flesquieres, advanced to the outskirts of Marcoing and then allowed the following troops to cross the canal. Losses were quite heavy and Private William Bartram was killed on the 2nd October. He was 19 years of age and is buried in Masnieres British Cemetery, Marcoing, (II A 4) and commemorated on the Dudley Canal.