Subject

R.F.N. in the Rifle Brigade.

Andrew Behan has researched this man: Rifleman William James Brinklow was born in 1898 in Hampstead, a son of William James Brinklow and Ada Brinklow, sister to J. Benwell who is also recorded on the Christ Church war memorial. His father was a Gardener. On 5 June 1898 he was baptised at Christ Church, Hampstead and the family was living at 17 Gardnor Road, Hampstead. The 1901 census shows the family living at 8 Hendon Park Villas, Finchley Road, Hendon but the 1911 census confirms they had moved to 1 Stowe House, North End, Hampstead and he was shown as a Scholar.

He enlisted in the Rifle Brigade, service number P/714. He was listed as missing presumed dead on 4 April 1918. As he has no known grave he is commemorated on Panel 82 of the Pozieres Memorial in the British Cemetery, Pozieres, Somme, France. Both the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the UK Army Register of Army Effects state that he was serving in the 9th Battalion, Rifle Brigade, whereas the WW1 Service Medal and Award Rolls record him as being in the 16th Battalion, Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own). On 11 August 1919 his father was sent his £8-9s-7d army effects together with a £16-10s-0d war gratuity. He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal. He is also commemorated on the war memorial tablet inside Christ Church, Hampstead Square, Hampstead.