William Charles Gardner was one of two children born to Henry Arthur and Elizabeth Ann Gardner.
Henry was a coal hewer in the Nelson area and originally came from a place called Shirley, in Hampshire. His wife came from the Somerset area.

William was born in the Southampton area in about 1888. He would have been about 27 years old when he was killed. Before enlisting, he was a milk seller, but the 1911 census shows that he had already enlisted in the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment and was stationed at Pembroke Dock.

Some time between 1891 and 1895 the family moved from Southampton to the Nelson area where they set up their home at 33, High Street, Nelson, but then moved further along to 42, High Street.

This is where William’s sister Alice Maud Gardner was born in 1893.

News:

June 12^th 1915

The late Drummer Gardner.

On Thursday morning Mr H Gardner, 42 High Street, Nelson received an official communication from the war office, confirming bandsman Symond’s letter which stated that Drummer W.C. Gardner was killed in action on May 6^th. It appears that Drummer Gardner was with others in a dug out, bandaging some wounded soldiers when a shell burst amongst them. Drummer Gardner was the only one hit, his death being instantaneous. On Monday morning, Mr H Gardner received the following letter from 2^nd Lieutenant and acting adjutant E.W. Bryans, 1^st Battalion, The Welsh Regiment:

Dear Sir,
I regret to have to inform you that the facts regarding the death of your son, the late Drummer Gardner as given by bandsman Symonds are quite correct. Your son was struck down by a shell whilst engaged in bandaging the wounds of another soldier and death was instantaneous.
E.W. Bryan.

[Source: Merthyr Express]