BADSEY SOLDIER'S DEATH
Lance-Corporal W E Cleveley, of the Rifle Brigade, died at the Horton War Hospital, Epsom, on December 31, at the age of 18. He enlisted in March, 1915, when he was only 15 years old, and went to France in January, 1916. He was wounded in the fighting on the Somme in August, 1916, and was sent to the War Hospital at Winchester, and then moved to Shurland, Kent. He was home for a considerable time last summer, and helped at work on the land. At the time he was taken ill he was attending a NCO course at the training school for NCOs at Hertford. Death followed an operation. The body was brought to Badsey on Thursday week, and a funeral took place on Friday. The firing party, made up of men from the prisoners’ guard at Evesham, under Sergt-Major Parry, and Badsey members of the Evesham Platoon Worcestershire Volunteer Regiment, under Sergeant Addis, met at the residence of the deceased and acted as escort. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack. The funeral service, which was conducted by the Vicar, was choral. At the conclusion of the service three volleys were fired over the grave, and a bugler from Norton Barracks sounded the “Last Post.” There was a very large attendance. The mourners were Mr & Mrs Cleveley (father and mother), May and Ivy Cleveley (sisters).
