William Padgham was born in Fletching, Sussex around 1899. He appears on the 1901 census of England and Wales as a one year old infant living at Wharf Cottage, Fletching with his family. The family comprised John Padgham (head, aged 40, a native of Fletching working as an agricultural labourer), his wife Mary Padgham (aged 39, a native of Lindfield) and their five children: Louisa Padgham (aged 13), Florence Padgham (aged nine), Alice Padgham (aged five), Albert Edward Padgham (aged three) and William. All of the children had been born in Fletching.
The 1911 census shows the family living at Attrells Cottage, Chailey. John Padgham, aged 51 is now a general labourer in a timber yard and there are three children: Albert (13), William (11) and Dorothy Padgham (aged eight). William Page (17) and Richard Pointing (60) are noted as boarders there. The children's mother is possibly the same Mary Ann Padgham who died in 1902 - possibly in childbirth - at the age of 40.
Chailey Parish Magazine first mentions William in November 1916, noting: Padgham, Gnr W, RFA, England. He appears to have served throughout the war, his name appearing in the monthly roll call published up to and including July 1919. William’s brother Albert Padgham also served his King and Country during the First World War.
My thanks to David Gordon for the photograph of William. Medal index card courtesy of Ancestry.
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