William Eustace

William Eustace was born in 1893. In 1911, he was living at St Ives Lodge, Harden with his parents James and Mary and a brother, James.

When he joined the 2nd Bradford Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment in May 1915 he gave his occupation as Railway Clerk.

He was promoted to corporal in 1916 and served in Egypt and France.

He was discharged as no longer fit for service in 1917 but his application for a pension was rejected. Subsequently he received a gratuity of £63.

In 1920 he wrote letters requesting a King’s Certificate, which was given to those who were honourably discharged whilst in service because they were unfit through disability.

They were vital after the war to get employment. Employers were encouraged to consider it their patriotic duty to employ men such as these.