William, I am not aware of the precise circumstances of your death, nor what caused it, but, as a former soldier in the 1st and 7th Battalions of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and later in the 1st Battalion of the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment myself, doing my National Service in 1950-1951, although sad to read of your sacrifice, I am pleased to be given this opportunity to salute you as a brave NCO who lost his life in the service of his country during the Battle of the Somme.  Many of your comrades in the Sherwood Foresters Regiment also perished with you in this battle and were commemorated with you on the Thiepval Memorial.  I can but quote the memorial hymn again, “All you had hoped for, all you had you gave to save mankind – yourself you scorned to save”.  You are all also remembered every year at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, when the parade is at the attention while the Queen’s Colour and the National Standard are dipped in salute as the Last Post is sounded.  I offer my sympathy to your parents and other relatives and friends who mourned your sacrifice.  Rest in Peace.  Harry.  

Henry Harrison