Andrew Behan has kindly carried out some research on this man: Serjeant William Victor Tanner was born in 1887 in Paddington, the son of George and Eliza Tanner. His father was a Ticket Collector. The 1891 census shows him living with his family at 658 Harrow Road, Kensal Town. In March 1907 he was appointed as an Assistant Postman in West London and in December 1907 he was promoted to the grade of Postman. On the outbreak of World War One he joined the 1st/8th (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment, (Post Office Rifles), service number 2896 and landed in France on 18 March 1915.
He was killed in action, aged 28 years, on 15 September 1916 and as he has no known grave he is commemorated on Pier & Face 9C & 9D of the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. When probate was granted on his estate to his mother on 2 January 1917 his address was shown as 91 Sixth Avenue, Queen’s Park and his effects totalled £330-15s-5d. His army effects totalling £4-4s-5d were sent to his mother on 20 February 1917 as was a War Gratuity of £11-10s-0d on 30 September 1919. He was posthumously awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.
