London Villas

William John Ensor Private 11502 - 1st Bn., Coldstream Guards Killed in action on Tuesday 22nd December 1914, age 23. No known grave but is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. William John Ensor was born in early 1891 in Newport to 41-year-old Harry Ensor from Birmingham, and his wife Violet Ann Cant from Ensingham, St Bees, Cumberland. The family were living on Newport High Street, next to the District Register Offices. Previously Harry had been a teacher at St Bees Board School, and five of William’s seven older siblings (ranging in age from 4 to 13) had been born at St Bees, one at Colwich and one at Stafford. In 1891 Harry was an assistant schools inspector working for the Education Department. By 1901 the family were at the London Villas on Newport Road In 1911 they were still living at the London Villas. Harry was described as a Sub- Inspector of Schools. One more daughter had been born. William’s older brother Edwin Harrison was teaching at Newport CofE School, but neither William, now 20, nor his 15-year-sister was listed as working. William enlisted in Gnosall as Pte 11502 into the 1 st  Battalion Coldstream Guards, the oldest regiment in continuous active service, founded in Scotland in 1650 during the Civil War. They suffered heavy losses in the early months of the war. William was sent to join them in France on 8 th  December 1914. He was killed in action just two weeks later on 22nd December 1914, age 23. His Gnosall memorial states that he died at the Battle of Givenchy. It was not until 17 June 1915 that he was listed as Missing in the Aberdeen Journal. He was subsequently awarded the 1914-5 Star, British and Victory medals. He has no known grave but is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France, panels 2 & 3 Listed as “Son of Mr. H. and Mrs. V.A. Ensor, of Gnosall, Staffs.,” He is also remembered in Gnosall Cemetery: William’s parents Harry and Violet and older brother Edwin Harrison are all buried at Gnosall.