Soldier's Death - Sergeant William Head of the Grenadier Guards

We regret to report that Mr Austin Head, of 15 Orchard place, Rushden, has suffered bereavement through the death of his youngest son, Sergt William Head, of the Grenadier Guards, who passed away at Duston War Hospital on Tuesday at the age of 29 years.

The deceased soldier was discharged from the Colours on May 8th, through kidney trouble contracted through exposure in the trenches, and this culminated in his death. The late Sergt William Head, had nine years' service to his credit, and has served over two years on the Western front.

Mr Head, who is himself an old soldier, has three other sons serving their country, viz., Sergt Richard Head, M.M., of the R.F.A., Sadler Harry Head, R.F.A., and Pte C Cater (stepson). Sergt Richard Head is at present stationed at Woolwich, having just been discharged from hospital, where he has been for the past two to three months with a bad wound in the stomach. Sadler Harry Head and Pte C Cater are both serving in France.

A Military Funeral took place at the Cemetery on Saturday, when the late Sergt William Head, of the Grenadier Guards, whose death we reported in our last issue, received the last rites. The obsequies were conducted by the Rev. P Robson. A firing party of 32 men from the Northampton Depot were present and paid the soldier a last tribute of respect by firing three volleys over the grave. The "Last Post" was also sounded. The coffin, of polished elm, bore the inscription:

The mourners comprised Mr Austin Head (father), and Mrs A Ekins (sister), Sergt and Mrs Richard Head (brother and sister-in-law), Miss Florrie Head and Miss Ruth Cater (sisters), Mrs J Robinson (sister), and Mr A Ekins (brother-in-law). A number of beautiful wreaths were placed on the grave.