William Seath

William Seath  1881 – 1967

William was born on 21st August 1881 in Swingfield, to William Marsh Seath, a publican, and Charlotte Alice (née Dawkins). 

He first saw service in South Africa after he attested on 8th January 1900 as a shoeing smith, having served an apprenticeship of two years with Mr Dixon at Swingfield. 

He joined the 33rd Company, Imperial Yeomanry, and signed up for a year, seeing discharge on 23rd June 1901. 

It would appear that he lied about his age as all other information is correct. In 1902 he married Agnes Florence Harris, and by 1905 they were living in Shepherdswell, as the baptism of their second son took place in the village, as did the baptism of their third son in 1908. 

At the time of the 1911 Census, they were living in Botolph Street with three sons. William was described as a master butcher. Directories show him in the village until at least 1912.

It has not proved possible to track down his War records for WW1 using the name William or his initial to date but this William is the most likely candidate for Higgs’ named person.

By 1923 they had moved to Kemp Hall Farm at Westbere. In 1924 he was named as the co-respondent in a divorce application for Sidney Miles’ marriage. In 1926 there is a report of him donating milk for the Chislet Miners’ Relief and he is named as a member of the Parish Council in 1938. 

In 1939 they were still living at Kemp Hall Farm in Bridge, with William giving his occupation as a farmer. 

He died in 1967, aged 86.