In memoriam
Private William Joseph Petty
Twenty-four year old William Joseph Petty enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Antrim on 23 November 1915 (Service No.1944). Born in Belfast, he was the son of Francis and the late Maria Petty of 32 Agincourt Avenue, and the brother of George, Maud, Tillie and Sara.
Petty embarked for Rouen, France on 3 August 1916 as a reinforcement for the 2nd Regiment, North Irish Horse. On 20 September 1917 he was transferred to the 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers, together with most of his regiment (Service No.41406). Reported as wounded on 22 November 1917 during the attempt to capture the village of Moeuvres during the Battle of Cambrai, nothing more was heard of his fate. In February 1918 his father wrote to Army officials in Dublin:
Dear Sir
It is now nearly three months since my son William J Petty (..?..) was reported wounded and I have no further official news with regard to him since yours of the (26th ...?). Surely something must be known about him in 3 months. I cannot think he is alive or he would have written to me or got someone to write for him. Can you give me any further (..?..) regarding him if he is alive in France. If I knew even the worst it would relieve this terrible suspense. Hoping you will be able to give me some information for which I shall feel thankful.
I remain Dear Sir Yours faithfully
Francis Petty
It was not until 22 October 1918 that Petty was officially recorded as 'presumed dead'. His body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France, Panel 10.
The Battalion diary at the time of his death reads as follows:
[22 November] Moeuvres. The Battalion moved up at 6.30am to a position north of Bapaume and Cambrai Road arriving at 8.30am. Here the Battalion waited for an order to attack Inchi when Moeuvres was taken by the 12th Royal Irish Rifles. At 11.45am the 12th Royal Irish Rifles captured village of Moeuvres. It was unable to clear trenches east of village. At 5.30pm Battalion moved up to support 12th Royal Irish Rifles in the village of Moeuvres. At 5.45pm 12th Royal Irish Rifles reported driven out of village. At 8.30pm Battalion less D Company counter attacked village of Moeuvres but was driven back to trenches immediately south of the village, where it took up a defensive position for the night.
[23 November] Moeuvres. Battalion attacked Moeuvres at 10.30am. At 11am Battalion reported in village. At 11.45am enemy counter attacked from trenches west of village. 12.15pm counter attack driven off. At 4.30pm village evacuated by Battalion on account of supports not coming up. 5pm C and D Companies took up position on Sunken Road south of village and A and B companies went back to trenches north of Bapaume and Cambrai Road. Casualties for 22nd and 23rd: Officers killed one; Officers wounded six; Other Ranks 82 casualties.
Memorial images Copyright © Phillip Tardif with all rights reserved as set out in this Use of Material policy. Newspaper image from the Belfast Evening Telegraph, last quarter of 1918, kindly provided by Nigel Henderson (see Fitzroy Presbyterian Church: Wartime Service and Sacrifice).