War Memorial
William Henry Bamblett was born in Leigh in the spring of 1884, the second son of Arthur George and Emily Bamblett. He was one of eight children — five boys and three girls — in a family connected to the local explosives trade. The household lived at the Proof House at Meopham Bank, where his father worked as a gunpowder maker.
Military life came early. The 1901 census found William, then only 17 although recorded as 19, listed as an infantry private at Maidstone Barracks. He went on to serve as Corporal, service number 9771, in the 4th Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment. By the time of his death the battalion was attached to the 98th Brigade of the 33rd Division.
William was killed in action on 7th August 1916, during the Somme campaign, at the age of 32. He was buried at Dantzig Alley British Cemetery at Mametz in France, and his service was recognised with two campaign medals. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission recorded his parents' home as 25 Powdermills, Leigh, Kent.
His name is commemorated both on the Leigh War Memorial and on the memorial at Hildenborough.