William Henry Plimbley was born on the 7th March 1893 at 20 Brindley Street, Burslem, Staffordshire. His parents Reuben Plimbley and Mary Jane nee Woodcock born 29.10.1864, were married on the 26th June 1886 at Cobridge, Burslem, Staffordshire, both aged 21.  Reuben's Father being William Plimbley and Mary Jane's father being Henry Woodcock. Reuben and Mary Jane had four children, Emily Plimbley born 1887 died 1888, William Henry born 07.03.1893, Joseph Plimbley born 09.08.1894 and Sarah Ann born 1896 died 1896. 

The 1891 census shows Reuben (26) a Potter Printer and Mary Jane (26) a Potter Transferer living at 20 Brindley Street, Burslem, Staffordshire. 

The 1911 census (1) shows William Henry (17) Living at 6 Regimental District, Whittington Barracks, Whittington, Lichfield as a Private with the 4th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment. Meanwhile his father Reuben (47) a Potters Printer was living at 56 Stanley Street, Burslem, Staffordshire with Joseph (16) single a Potters Handler and Reuben's sister Emily Plimbley (57) single Home Duties.  

The 1911 census (2) shows Williams mother Mary Jane Plimbley aged 46 as a patient at Cheddleton Asylum having been admitted 20th December 1910, the census shows she had been married for 25 years and had 4 children 2 of which had died. The Records from Cheddleton show that she was admitted from Chell Workhouse Hospital with symptoms of depression and suicidal thoughts. She was discharged 27th October 1914. 

William Henry Plimbley's Military history has been extensively researched in 2013 by Chris Baker Military Records Research Service (Fourteeneighteen/research), the comprehensive report can be downloaded from the link at the bottom of this page.

The following information is from The Staffordshire Regiment Museum, Whittington, Litchfield; “British entry into the First World War in August 1914 meant William was part of the 1st Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment when they were dispatched to France on 9th September.  According to William’s medal records, he arrived in France on 10th September 1914 along with the rest of the 1st Battalion. The unit would go on to take part in the battles of 1914 around Outtersteene and Armentieres.” 

I did manage to find him within our 1st Battalion hospital books for 1914. It would appear William was wounded on or before the 22nd October 1914. At this time, the 1st Battalion was positioned near Wez Macquart. On the 22nd October, they were heavily shelled by German artillery. The war diary reported thirteen casualties, one of which was likely William. At this time, William was part of “A” Company.

William’s medical entry states he had suffered a fractured skull as a result of a “GSW”, ie, a gunshot wound. However, this was often a catch-all term and could include shell and shrapnel wounds. William was initially treated at the 2nd Clearing Hospital at Bailleul before being moved to the No.13 General Hospital at Boulogne. Unfortunately, no date of transfer is given. As you know, William succumbed to his wounds on the 5th November 1914. He was buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery. Please note that the Company Roll incorrectly lists William’s death as the 8th November 1914.”

William Henry Plimbley is remembered with honour at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery lll.B.41. It can be noted his headstone along with others in that cemetary is laid flat, this is due to the sandy nature of the soil being unable to support the weight of the headstones.  

He is also remembered on the Royal Doulton Kilngate Memorial Burslem. 

He was awarded The 1914 Star with Bar 5thAug-22nd Nov, The British War Medal  and The Victory Medal. 

The Sentinel newspaper dated 12th December 1914, 

Private W. Plimbley.

Private W. Plimbley, 1st North Staffs., has died of wounds in No. 13 General Hospital, Boulogne. Much sympathy and regret is expressed with the deceased soldier's parents, and particularly so by the old members of the Burslem St. John's Church Lads' Brigade, in which organisation Private Plimbley held the rank of Sergeant up to the time he enlisted in his Majesty's Forces.    

The following year in 1915 family memorial in the Sentinel Newspaper 5th November 1915. 

PLIMBLEY-In loving memory of our dear son. William Henry Plimbley, who died from wounds. received in France, November 5th. 1914.  Nobly he lived, bravely he died. Duty well done. Fondly remembered by Father and Mother, Brother, and Auntie Emily.

PLIMBLEY.-In loving memory of Pte. William Henry Plimbley, who died from wounds. November 5th. 1914. For King and country he did his best, God grant to him eternal rest. Fondly remembered by Grandad, Aunt Prucy, and Polly Evans.

William's brother Joseph Plimbley enlisted into the 7th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment on the 21st August 1914 service number 10917, he was discharged 17.10.1914 under Paragraph 392 of King's Regulations (III). Joseph married Martha Jane Willetts born 26.09.1897, in 1917.   

The 1921 census shows Joseph (25) a Colliery Loader living with his wife Martha (23) an out of work Potter Jollier for Woods Pottery. Their 3 year old son William Henry Plimbley born 1918. They were living at 56 Stanley Street, Burslem with parents Reuben (56) a Potter Printer and Mary Jane (56) Housewife.   

Joseph and Martha Jane Plimbley went on to have 7 more children, Joseph born 1922, John born 1926, Frank born 1931, Dennis born 1933, Nora born 1935, Derek born 07.09.1937 and Irene born 04.09.1939. 

Reuben Plimbley died 21st March 1936 at the Burslem Haywood and Tunstall War Memorial Hospital, his home address 56 Stanley Street, Middleport, Burslem. 

The 1939 Register shows widowed Mary Jane Plimbley (75) living at 56 Stanley Street, Burslem, with her son Joseph (45) a Colliery Hewer, wife Martha Jane (41) Domestic Duties, five of the records are redacted and Derek J and Irene both under school age. Their son Joseph Plimbley born 1922 was  killed in action 02.June 1944 having served as Private 3606412 8th Bn Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders.    

William Henry's mother Mary Jane Plimbley died in 1945 aged 80. 

Sources: 

• PLIMBLEY, WILLIAM HENRY WOODCOCK GRO Reference: 1893 J Quarter in WOLSTANTON Volume 06B Page 158
• Indexes created from Anglican Parish Registers held at Staffordshire Record Office; Stafford, Staffordshire, England
• FreeBMD. England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.
• The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; Census Returns of England and Wales, 1891; Class: RG12; Piece: 2163; Folio: 53; Page: 33; GSU roll: 6097273
• The National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Commissioners in Lunacy, 1845–1913. Lunacy Patients Admission Registers, Series MH 94; Piece: 45
• The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911
• FreeBMD. England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.
• Military-Genealogy.com, comp. UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008.
• The National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; War Office and Air Ministry: Service Medal and Award Rolls, First World War. WO329; Ref: 1577
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission; Author: Peter Singlehurst; Series Title: British Commonwealth War Graves Registers, 1914-1918; Archive Name: London, United Kingdom
• The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; War Office: Soldiers' Documents from Pension Claims, First World War (Microfilm Copies and Medical Cards); Reference: WO364; Piece: 3010 (Joseph Plimbley) 
• Sentinel Newspaper 12.12.1914 
• https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000347/19141212/046/0002?browse=true
• Sentinel News 05.11.1915
• https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000347/19151105/125/0006
• The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; 1921 Census Returns; Reference: RG 15/12627, ED 13, Sch 75; Book: 12627
• General Register Office; United Kingdom; Volume: 6b; Page: 165 (Reuben Plimbley) 
• The National Archives; Kew, London, England; 1939 Register; Reference: RG 101/5282J 
• General Register Office; United Kingdom; Volume: 6b; Page: 275 (MJ Plimbley) 
• https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2609874/joseph-plimbley/