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Australia

William  was the son of Frederick Derry a licensed victualler and his wife Martha; siblings were Robert Ironmonger b1882, Elizabeth b1883, Martha b1886, Samuel b1887. In the 1891 census the family are living at 27 King Street, Newark, Frederick is shown as a licensed victualler, and is living at the address with his wife Martha and children Robert, Elizabeth, Martha, Samuel and William. William's parents both died at Newark in their early 40's; Martha in 1894 followed by Frederick in 1895.

The young children now left as orphans were spread among relatives to be brought up.

In the 1901 census William, now 12 years old is living at 121 Alma Road, Sheerness, Kent with his uncle Robert Derry, 53 years and his wife Emily and son Frank. William eventually emigrated to Australia where, upon the outbreak of war, he enlisted at Cootamundra, New South Wales in the Australian Army.

He embarked from Sydney on 5th October 1915 bound for Egypt arriving in February 1916 . He then sailed from Alexandria to Marseilles, France in March 1916. William was attached to a light trench mortar battery and was killed when a shell struck his mortar during fighting around the town of Pozieres on 21st July 1916.

The following is an extract from the Magnus School, Newark , diary of the 'Great War'

Friday 21 July 1916

 One of the Magnus’s most able water sportsmen, William Derry, aged 27, paid the ultimate price for returning to defend ‘The Mother Country’ five years after emigrating to Australia and settling into a totally different life. William won many swimming prizes while at the Magnus and added the Marsh and Clinton Cups as a member of Newark Rowing Club. Upon leaving school he completed a plumber’s apprenticeship with his brother, Robert I Derry in Stodman Street. He went to Australia intending to follow the plumbing trade but instead took to farm life. When The Great War broke out and he was among the first to volunteer at Cootamundra, New South Wales and went to Egypt with the 1st Battalion Australian Infantry, arriving February 1916. There he met many of the Sherwood Rangers he had known in Newark. He sailed from Alexandria to Marseille aboard Invernia in March 1916. According to a letter from Captain H Price, who had earned the Distinctive Service Order for his bravery in action, William was attached to a light trench mortar battery and was killed when a shell struck his mortar during fighting around the town of Pozieres. Private 3286 Derry has no known grave and is remembered on the Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux, a village 16km from Amiens.

Article published 9th August 1916 in the Newark Advertiser

 Son of the late Mr. F. Derry. Attended Magnus grammar school, where he won many swimming prizes. Also a prominent member of Newark Rowing Club, winning the Marsh Cup and a member of the winning four for the Clinton Cup. After leaving school, worked for his brother, Mr R.I Derry of Stodman Street. He always had a liking for farm work and for experience went to Mr R.J. Pratt of East Stoke. Subsequently he returned to his brother and finished his apprenticeship as a plumber etc. With the idea of following his trade, he went to Australia five years ago, but instead took a farm. When war broke out, he was among the first to volunteer at Cootamundra, N.S.W. and with the 1st Bn. Australian Infantry went to Egypt, arriving in Feb. 1916. There he met many of the Sherwood Rangers from Newark. He sailed from Alexandria to Marseille on board “”Invernia”” in March 1916. Attached to a light trench mortar battery in June and was killed through a shell hitting his mortar.

RIn the UK, he is remembered on:

Newark - Rowing Club War Memorial

Newark - Cemetery War Memorial

Newark - St Mary Magdalene Church - Magnus Grammar School War Memorial

Newark - St Mary Magdalene - Borough of Newark Roll of Honour War Memorial

Borough of Newark Book of Remembrance (Roll of Honour).