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Casulaty Details

 
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Name: William FINLAY
Casualty No.: Ranks: Lance Sergeant Initials: W Service No.: 2734819
Date of Birth : - Place of Birth : Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham. Age at Death: 22
Unit: 3rd Bn Welsh Guards.
Former Unit(s):
Place Enlisted:
Place of Residence: Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
Home Address: 5 Whitewell Terrace, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
Previous Address:
Civilian Employment: Bricklayer employed at Charltons the Builders, of Crawcrook.
How Died: Killed in action
Date of Death: Saturday 12th February 1944
Place of Death: Italy
Battle/Campaign:
Locally Commemorated: Ryton War Memorial, Station Bank, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
UK Commemorated: -
Overseas Commemorated: -
Buried: Cassino War Cemetery, Italy.
Decoration and Medals: 1939-45 Star. Italy Star. War Medal.
Photographs: 1
Service Records: No
Death Notice/Obituary:
Family Details:
Son of Mr and Mrs R Finlay, of 5 Whitewell Terrace, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham. Husband of Mrs Finlay, of London. Brothers: Jack, Jim, and Robert. Sisters: Lizzie, Catherine, and Eva.
Notes : William was one of three brothers who had made the Armed Forces a career. Jim had spent sixteen years serving with the RAF. Jack was a Lieutenant, serving with the Royal Artillery in India, already having served nine years. Their father was a veteran of the Boer War and World War 1. His grandfather was also employed by Charltons the Builders of Crawcrook. William was educated at Ryton school where he had an excellent record. He took a keen interest in sports. He played football for Crawcrook Albion FC and represented the Guards Depot at cricket, winning the Depot Company Cup in 1939. Up until the time of his death he had completed five years service with the Guards. He had enlisted in the Guards with his pal Jack Hurst, who also came from Ryton. He had only been married six months before his death, his wife residing in London.
Sources Used: Commonwealth War Graves Commission Debt of Honour Register. Army Roll of Honour 1939-45. Newcastle Evening Chronicle, Roll of Honour, 17th March 1944. Blaydon Courier, 30th March 1944.
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