Branch, William John
Lance Corporal
No. 28663, 11th Battalion, Essex Regiment
Died of wounds on Thursday 13 June 1918 (aged 19)
Buried:
Longuenesse (St Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, France (Grave V. B. 62)
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
BIOGRAPHY
William John Branch was born on 15 May 1899 in Ballywalter, Co Down and he was a son of William Branch (born in England) and Hannah Miriam Branch (nee Hart, born in England) whose marriage was registered in the first quarter of 1892 in Epping, Essex.
William Branch worked as a Royal Navy Coast Guard and for a time he was stationed in Ballywalter, then Larne.
In 1911, when William was stationed in Moville, Co Donegal, the Branch family lived in Foyle Street, Moville.
William and Hannah Branch had at least five children:
William Gordon (born September 1896, died of congestion of the lungs 9 December 1896 in Ballywalter aged 3 months and buried in Whitechurch Cemetery Ballywalter)
William John (born 15 May 1899 in Ballywalter)
Albert Edward (born 25 January 1901 in Ballywalter)
Ivy B (born 17 November 1902 at Larne Harbour, Co Antrim)
Bernard (born 28 July 1904 in the Coastguard Station, Larne, Co Antrim)
William John Branch and Albert Edward Branch were baptised in Ballywalter Parish Church of Ireland Church (Trinity).
William John Branch enlisted in Colchester, Essex and during the Great War he served with the 11th Battalion Essex Regiment.
Lance Corporal William John Branch (No. 28663) was 19 when he died of wounds on 13 June 1918 and at that time his parents were living at 7 Florence Cottages, Brightlingsea, Essex.
Lance Corporal William John Branch (No. 28663) was buried in Longuenesse (St Omer) Souvenir Cemetery in France.