William was born in 1884 in Hinckley, Leicestershire to William Pickering Goldby, a boot factory foreman, and Charlotte (nee Holt). They had 6 children –
Gertrude 1880
William Charles 1884
Maud Mary 1887
Sydney Herbert 1889
Mabel Ellen 1891
1 unknown
In 1891 census the family lived at 22 Oak St. and in 1901 they lived at 27 Duffield St.
In 1911 census they lived at 7 Duffield St. and William is listed as a ledger clerk at the boot factory.
William became 2nd Lieutenant 18th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps. He died on 21.8.1918 and is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Poperinghe, Belgium.
When he died his family were living at 59a St. Peter’s Rd.
William’s father had a wooden reredos placed in St Saviour’s Church. It measured 2070mm high x 2600 mm wide. The first line of the inscription in large gold lettering on a black background is broken by a single light stained glass window.
THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVRMORE DO THIS IN REMEMBERANCE OF ME (BRASS PLAQUE)
TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF WILLIAM CHARLES GOLDBY
2ND LIEUTENANT 18TH BATTN. KINGS ROYAL FIFLES
WHO FELL IN ACTION ON AUGUST 21ST 1918 THIS PANELLING WAS ERECTED BY HIS FATHER. R.I.P.
Unfortunately, this reredos was stolen when the church was closed.
