William was the son of Eli and Ann Addis, of Holly Hall, Dudley and the husband of Mrs Mabel G. Addis, of 19, Aston Rd., Dudley. He worked as a baker in his father’s shop in Stourbridge Road, Woodside before being conscripted. He left behind a widow and two young daughters, Hilda and Mary.
He died on 4th May 1918, aged 26, of wounds received and buried in Arneke British Cemetery, the site of a Casualty Clearing Station located to the South-East of Calais. Carved on his headstone are the words: “No one knows the parting or what it cost but God has gained what we have lost”.
Unfortunately he is incorrectly commemorated on Dudley's civic war memorial in Priory St, Dudley, his name being carved as Abbis, W. He is also remembered (in his correct name) on the memorials for the Dudley Higher Elementary School, the Men of Woodside Ward (now re-located to the churchyard at St Augustine’s, Holly Hall) and the now-lost war memorial plaque in the King Street Congregational Church.
Source: “Dudley’s 1914-1918 war memorial and the men commemorated” by J. B. E. Hale
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