William was born in 1886 in Lewknor, the oldest of Arthur and Ruth Wallington’s seven children. His father was an agricultural labourer as was William by the age of 14. The family was at Kingston Blount. On 11th May 1907, William married 17 year old Polly Mentor and started living at 11 North Street, Thame.

William Alfred was born on 13th December 1907 at 20 North Street. Then Doris, born 30th June 1909 at 48 North Street. Sidney was born on 20th December 1912 at 19 Wellington Street. Finally Polly on 1 st August 1915 at 5 Windmill Lane. All were baptised at St Mary’s Church.

William joined the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry as one of ‘Kitchener’s Volunteer Army’. His unit, the 14th (Light) Division, landed at Boulogne on 21st May 1915. In December, they were in reserve at Poperinghe on the Ypres Salient when the Germans launched the first phosgene gas attack. In January 1916 there was stalemate around Ypres but soldiers made sporadic raids on enemy trenches to keep them battle ready.

William was killed in action on 25th January 1916 and is buried at Talana Farm Cemetery, north of Ypres. His widow, with 4 children under 9, received £2 18s 11d in pay owed on 15th March 1916, and a further £3 War Gratuity in 1919.

He is remembered in Thame on the War Memorial and on St Mary’s and All Saints Memorial Boards.