Trafford

Born during the December quarter 1882 in the Altrincham R.D. - ref: 8a/171,
the son of Thomas & Catherine Curley (nee Ambrose).

His father died in 1883, aged: 30.

1891 Census - 5 Chapel Yard, Chapel Street, Altrincham - son - Scholar -
aged: 8 - born: Altrincham.   Head of household - Catherine Curley - Widow
- aged: 46 - Charwoman - born: Ireland.  Plus elder twins - Lily & Arthur
Curley, aged: 9 and 1 lodger.

1901 Census - 9 King Street, Altrincham - Brother in Law - aged: 19 - occ:
Horse Keeper (Groom) - born: Altrincham (residing with his sister - Lily
and her husband - George Bowyer).   Head of household - George Bowyer  -
Married - aged: 22 - occ: Bricksetter's Labourer.  Plus his Mother - Kate
Curley - Widow - aged: 54 - born: Ireland.

Married - Ellen Shaw - during the September quarter 1903 in the Bucklow
R.D. - ref: 8a/414.                   

1911 Census - 25 Dale Street, Broadheath - Boarder - Married - aged: 30 -
Labourer at Foundry - born: Altrincham.   Also - Ellen Curley - Wife  -
aged: 31 - born: Bowdon.  They had been married 9 years and produced two
children who were still alive - Beatrice Ellen Curley - aged: 2 - born:
Altrincham and Lillian Curley - aged: 9 months - born: Altrincham. 
Boarders with Peter & Sarah Priestnall and their 4 children.

His widowed mother Catherine Curley was employed as a 'Housekeeper' at the
home of William Henry Cottam and his wife - Catherine Cottam at 10 Dalton 
Street, Dantzig Street, Manchester.  She was aged: 68 and born at Dublin,
Ireland.   William Cottam's father-in-law - John Curley, was probably her
brother - aged: 64 and also born at Dublin.  She died in 1920, aged: 73.

William G. Curley is listed as living at No. 28.  A William Bagnall
(Labourer) is also listed as living at No. 28 Chapel Street in 1914/15/16. 
 

Drafted to France on the 14th July 1915.

Gassed in the final days of the War - he survived the journey home, but
died soon after in the Military Hospital, Levenshulme, Manchester.

Died: during the December quarter 1918 in the Chorlton R.D. - ref: 8c/1219
- aged: 41.

Commemorated on the private family gravestone in Hale Cem, which gives his
age as being 37 years.

Listed simply as William Curley on the Roll of Honour.  Left a widow and
two children - James & Lily.

His son James was picked to lay the wreath at the unveiling ceremony of the
Chapel St. Memorial, this being featured in the local newspaper
19/11/1992.

See also "The Bravest Little Street in England" by Karen Cliff, Trafford
Local Studies Library.