William Sinclair was born 7th February 1889 in Sanday, Orkney, Scotland according to the Census.   According to the UK, Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 he was born in Kirkwell, Orkney, Scotland.

Scottish Census information is not as accessible as the rest of the UK  so it is difficult to research William’s early life.

On the 1911 census, however,  he was living at 58 Sealand Road Chester, Cheshire as the nephew of the wife of the Head of the household. William was single, 22, and was a Joiner with Postal Telegraph, (out of work) who had been born in Sanday, Orkney, Scotland. His Aunt, Isabella Watkin, 46, had also been born there.  She was recorded as  “assisting in the business” of her husband Evan Watkin, 47,  a Laundry Proprietor.   Isabella’s 2 sisters and another nephew and 1 niece were all ‘helping with the business’.

4 years later, in 1915, William married Wilhelmina Ellis, in the Holy Trinity Church, Chester (CE12/5/11)

Wilhelmina’s family had lived in Ewloe according to the 1901 census but in 1911 she and her sister Clara Ellen were servants at 61 Liverpool Road Chester, which was the home of George and Mabel Rogerson, (He was a Solicitor). Wilhelmina was 21, Clara Ellen was 18. There was 1 more servant and a Governess  in the household. .

There is an index card for William Sinclair in The Flintshire Roll of Honour at The County Record Office in Hawarden. (Card Hawarden F29)  The card says that it was sent c/o Mr. Wallace Griffiths, Lower Dale, Mancot.  William’s regimental number was recorded on the card  as  24792  Royal Naval Air Service. It adds that his period of service as an Air mechanic was 2 months.  He had  died  on the 23rd December 1916.  The card was signed by Wilhelmina Sinclair on the 17th January 1920.

The UK, Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 tells us that William Sinclair  died from Disease.

His regiment was listed as President 11.   President II was the accounting base for the RNAS. Sometimes the clerks would write where the person was in brackets after it. As it was an accounting base someone listed at President II could also be on a ship or boat too small for it’s own paymaster. Taken from the Great War Forum, with thanks.