Picking, William Thomas

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Picking, William Thomas 

Military History:

Regiment:
Army Service Corps

Rank:
Driver

Regimental Number:
T/23856

Date of Enlisting:
29.11.1905

Date of death:
19.3.1959

Cemetery/ Memorial:            

UK Cemetery/Memorial:
St Mary’s Church Ashwell Roll of Honour
St Mary’s Church cemetery, Ashwell

William enlisted on 29th November 1905. He served with the Royal Army Service Corps, Regimental Number T/23856, as a driver with the 1st Railway Supply Detachment and saw active service on the Western Front, France and Flanders. He embarked to France with The First Expeditionary force and took part in the retreat from Mons. In 1916 on his way to the trenches William had bumped into another Ashwell man, Percy Holloway.

William survived the War and died on 19th March 1959. He is buried in the St Mary’s Church, Ashwell cemetery.

William was awarded the 1914 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

He is commemorated on the St Mary’s Church Ashwell Roll of Honour.

Family History:

Date of Birth:               3rd quarter 1885

Birth Place:                  Ashwell, Hertfordshire

Residence:                   Ashwell, Hertfordshire

Marriage:                      4th quarter 1917

William Thomas was born at Ashwell, Hertfordshire in the 3rd quarter 1885, second son of Walter and Annie (nee Cole) Picking. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell and before enlisting was a bricklayer’s labourer.

William married Florence Mabel Pratt at Camberwell, London in the 4th quarter of 1917. They had three children, all born in Ashwell: Alan W born 1920, Leon F born 1928 and Ivan E born 1930.

William died at Ashwell on 19th March 1959 and is buried in the St Mary’s Church, Ashwell cemetery.

William’s brother Walter also served in the War but was killed in action.

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