Private William Arnold Adie, 1st/5th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, 203581, was killed in action on the 11th October 1918. In 1911 he was a dealer in pianos and gramophones and lived at 93 Bamford Street with his parents. He married Minnie Tanner in 1912 and by 1913 they were living at William’s business address at 30 George Street, Tamworth. Unfortunately William’s business did not thrive, and he was declared bankrupt in 1913. William and Minnie had three little boys, William, Peter, and Reginald who died as a baby.

William’s story was published in the Tamworth Herald:

“PRIVATE W A ADIE. Private William Arnold Adie, Leicestershire Regt., 31 George street, Tamworth, is officially reported have been killed in action in France. He was 31 years age, and carried on business as a musical instrument dealer, and was organist of Wiggington Church. He had been France about twelve months. C Forrest, of the same regiment, formerly of Drayton Park, Tamworth. who was with Pte Adie and was wounded, states that they were with the regiment when it broke through the Hindenburg Line at the strongest point, north of St Quentin.”

William is buried in Busigny, Pas-de-Calais, France. (Note the shop was at 30 George Street but the Herald gives his last address as 31 George Street).

More research on this man to follow.