William Morley
William Morley was born at Byards Leap Farm in 1891. His parents were Robert Newcombe Morley (a farmer) and Bertha. Robert had been born at Leadenham Old Hall and was the oldest son of William Morley, late of High Dyke Farm, Temple Bruer.
By 1901 they had moved to Leadenham Old Hall. In 1911 William was helping on the farm and his older sister, Mary Newcombe Morley, was a private governess. The family later moved to Ruskington.
During the Great War William served in Italy with the Lincolnshire Yeomanry. He may have been commissioned from the ranks, as by Nov 1916 he was a Lieutenant with the Surrey Yeomanry. He was killed in action on 24th March 1918 (aged 28) while attached to 10th Battalion, Queen’s Royal (West Surrey) Regiment.
This was during the Battle of Bapaume, a week into the German spring offensive in the Somme area. His body was not identified and he is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial, as well as the Leadenham & Ruskington war memorials.
