WEEK 42

Willie Rhodes

Willie Rhodes, born circa 1885 in Rotherham, is the husband of my first cousin, thrice removed, Hannah Elizabeth Burton.

Willie was a casualty of the Gallipoli Campaign of World War One and below are newspaper entries published after his death.

THE ADVERTISER, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1916.

News has been received of the death of Private Willie Rhodes (York and Lancaster Regiment), of 5, Truro place, Rotherham, who is reported to have been killed in action on September 24th. Working at the Rotherham Main Colliery up to enlistment in May 1915, he served with his battalion in Gallipoli and was an officer’s servant.

RHODES. – In ever loving memory of my dear husband, Pte. Willie Rhodes (York and Lancs.), killed in action Sept. 24, 1916.

How little I thought when I said goodbye,
We parted for ever and you were to die,
Oh! the grief that we feel words never can tell,
For we could not be with you to bid you farewell.

Sleep on, dear husband, in a hero’s grave,
A grave I may never see,
But as long as life and memory lasts
We will remember thee.

– From his sorrowing Wife and Children.

York & Lancaster Regiment

RHODES. – In ever loving memory of Private Willie Rhodes (York and Lancs. Regt.), killed in action Sept. 24, 1916.

For many years the family chain
Was closely linked together,
But oh! the chain is broken now,
One link has gone for ever.

Hard, hard was the blow that compelled us to part
From the loved one so dear to our hearts;
But the love that we bore him shall dwell in our hearts,
Till we meet him again in the realms of the blest.

– From his loving Mother, Brothers, Sisters, Nephews and Nieces.