Ref ID: 51658404100
Name
William John Prenter.
Description
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Certificate relating to Private William John Prenter.
Life Story
Name: William John Prenter.
Service Number: 11672.
Rank: Private.
Battalion: 6th Battalion.
Regiment: Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Born: 5th October 1884, Shankill, Belfast.
Died: 28th March 1918.
Address: 83 Leopold Street, Belfast.
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William John Prenter, son of Samuel, lived at 83 Leopold Street, Shankill, Belfast.
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William had married Margaret Jane Prenter, Nee Taylor within Saint Luke's Church of Ireland Church on the 27th of September 1905. They went on to have three children, their names and dates of birth are the following, Ellen Elizabeth born 2nd February 1908, Ernest born 15th March 1910, Rosetta born 13th April 1914
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William signed the Ulster Covenant on the 28th of September 1912, Ulster Day within Belfast City Hall.
He was a member of the Orange Order, Verners L.O.L 859
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Prior to enlisting William was employed as a Bricklayer
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William joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on the 7th September 1914 in Omagh.
He was posted as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on the 11th July 1915.
William was sent to a Hospital in Malta on the 12th September 1915 before travelling on the 2nd October 1915 to England, where he was admitted to the General Hospital in Manchester on the 10th October 1915.
On the 18th December 1915 William was Discharged, No Longer Physically Fit For War Service, Para 392 XVI Kings Regulations, having served 1 years and 103 days. His address is given as 60 Bracken Street, Belfast at the time of discharge.
William was a Private in 6th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he Died of Illness, Pulmonary Tuberculosis, at home in Belfast on the 28th March 1918 aged 33 years.
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A local newspaper states
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MILITARY FUNERAL IN BELFAST.
The funeral took place on Saturday, to the City Cemetery, with full military honours, of Private William John Prenter, late of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who died on Thursday, at his home, 83 Leopold Street, Belfast, following an illness contracted while on active service at the Dardanelles. Deceased, who had been employed as a bricklayer in the city joined the colours in September 1914, and was present at the landing at Suvla Bay. He was at the Dardanelles for some months, and was wounded in the chest. This developed into an illness which eventually rendered him incapable of further service, and he was discharged in December 1915. Every effort was made on his behalf, but his illness continued, and he passed away as stated, in the presence of his wife and young family. Only a fortnight ago intimation was received that his brother in law, Corporal Charles Taylor, R.I.R, had been killed in action, and in 1915 one of his brothers, Joseph Prenter, also made the supreme sacrifice while on active service with the Shropshire Light Infantry. Another brother is at present in France. That he belonged to a loyal family is demonstrated by the fact that they are today the proud possessors of a little roll of honour which contains the names of close to thirty relatives, who joined the colours on the outbreak of war. How typical of many Ulster Families is this record The funeral ceremony today was deeply impressive, and as the solemn cortege, headed by a firing party drawn from the 3rd R.I.R, and attended by the band of the same regiment, passed down Leopold Street, many eyes were dimmed, perchance the thoughts of many watching mothers being carried by the scene to a far-off battlefield, where loved ones were at that moment engaged in the greatest of all conflicts. The coffin was shrouded with the Union Jack and the colours of Verners L.O.L 859, of which he was a respected member. There was a representative turnout of the officers and members of the lodge as a last tribute to his memory. The officiating clergyman was Rev John Milliken, B.A, of Woodvale Presbyterian Church. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs James McLorie And Co, undertakers to the War Office (Northern District) Irish Command.
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His Pension Application Forms show his widow as claimant.
Dependant Pension Application Forms show his widow as claimant for herself and children
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See brother also: 6693 Private Joseph Robert Prenter 1st Battalion Kings Shropshire Light Infantry.
See brother in law also: 570 Corporal Charles Victor Taylor 16th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.
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William received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1915 Star.
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He is Remembered at Belfast City Cemetery, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
To Remember Is To Honour
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Theme
Shankill Roll of Honour
Date
0
Classification
Book or Journal,
Certificate/Permit,
Roll of Honour or Memorial
