10th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment
William Henry Nelson Keyte was born in Chaddesden, Derby in September 1893, the son of Winfield John Keyte and Annie Elizabeth (née Grove). He was known to his family as Nelson, and had at least one sibling, Ada Elsie (1890).
William was enlisted in Cheltenham on 2 September 1914, aged 21, for a three year short service in the 10th (Service) Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment, part of the 57th Infantry Brigade, 19th Western Division. He was described as being 5 foot 8½ inches, and gave his occupation as a tram conductor. His father, Winfield John of 4 Swindon Road, Cheltenham, was next of kin.
He joined at Tidworth, Wiltshire on 12 September 1914 and his service record shows he was serving at home (2 September 1914 to 18 July 1915), in the British Expeditionary Force in France (19 July 1915 to 8 July 1916), and home (9 July 1916 to 14 March 1918). He received a gunshot wound in the right thigh on 4 July 1916 at La Boiselle, France, and was returned to the UK on HMHS Cambria on 7 July. He was transferred to the Kent/58 Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) (Chevening) hospital at Chipstead on 28 April 1917 for treatment of his wounds.
His disability pension refers to his disability as shrapnel wound in the right thigh and fracture of the femur. He was listed as being unfit for service on 14 March 1918.
In addition to the British, Victory, and 15 Star medals, he was awarded the Silver War Badge and certificate number 349715, on 18 March 1918.
William died a single man on 25 October 1918, aged 25, of pneumonia in the flu epidemic at the family home, ‘Woodbines’, Swindon Road, Cheltenham. He was buried at St Lawrence’s Church, Swindon Village, Cheltenham, on 30 October. Regrettably his final resting place in the churchyard is unknown, but the burial is recorded as number 772 in the Churchyard Burial Register. The parent’s previous address was 4 Swindon Road, Cheltenham.
An N Kyte is listed on the St Peter’s Church War Memorial, Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham and, as he was known as Nelson, this is probably a commemoration for William.
Researched by Baden Russell January 2011
In compiling this biography I wish to thank and acknowledge Dave and Jimmy James, for their website ‘Leaving Cheltenham’.