William Frank Hemmings was born on 21st June 1894 in Corsham. His parents were Henry and Selina (née Miles) and, with their daughters Florence and Emmeline, they lived in Priory Road (Priory Street). Henry was a stone miner
William joined the Royal Navy on 28th February 1910 as a boy sailor, and his service record shows that he was an Indoor Servant.
In his 10 years of Naval service, he served on a number of ships including HMS Impregnable, HMS Revenge, HMS Queen Mary and HMS Monarch, HMS Victory and other Naval establishments. He saw action at the battles of Heligoland Bight, Dogger Bank & Jutland and also saw service in Russia.
William was invalided out of the Royal Navy in September 1919. He died at home on 7th March 1920. He was 25 years old.
