Acheux British Cemetery
NEWS ITEM in Jersey
Evening Post of Wednesday 10 July
Jersey Mother's Tragic Loss - Two Sons
Killed. During the past few days a Jersey mother,
Mrs Woonton of 24 Providence Street, has received the
tragic news that both her sons have made the supreme
sacrifice. The elder son, Albert,
was formerly employed at the Victoria Club and was one
of the gallant lads who joined the Jersey Company and
left the Island to join the Royal Irish Rifles; he was
wounded but again returned to France and in the fighting
on 16 August 1917 was reported missing. Captain C A
Ogier, writing at the time, stated that the soldier
was most useful to him and hoped that favourable news
would be received, but unfortunately the mother has
now received official intimation that the Army Council
are regretfully constrained to conclude that the soldier's
death took place on the date mentioned above. Within
a few hours of receiving the above communication Mrs
Woonton was handed another letter stating that her younger
son, Private William Woonton of the Dorset Regiment,
had been instantaneously killed on 15 June last whilst
in the Front Line. The lad was formerly employed at
Dr Crallan's and the officer of his Company states "His
loss is keenly felt both by myself and his comrades.
He was one of my best men, always bright and willing
even under adverse circumstances". This soldier
was in his 20th year whilst the elder brother was 23.
We tender the mother who has thus been bereft of her
only sons our heartfelt sympathy.
Commemorated on Haut de la Garenne Memorial,
Jersey
Commonwealth
War Graves Commission Record
