Gosden, William Stephen
Private William Stephen Gosden was in the Theological Department from October, 1914, to January, 1916, when, after delays not due to his own choice, he joined the 1/6th Sussex Cyclist Corps, being transferred, when he went to France, into the 2nd Batt. Queen's Royal West Surrey Regt. After five weeks at the Front, during which he went through a big attack unscathed, he was shot by a sniper on September 6th "while doing most brave and useful work." He had been pressed to take a commission, but would not be parted from his friends in the ranks.
In his College days Gosden was a quiet man, really known only by a few intimate friends at the Hostel. Those who knew him recognised him as a man of high promise, of lovable character and of a remarkably deep and simple sense of duty. Though he was naturally meditative, yet already in civil life he had proved himself prompt and fearless in the face of danger; and though the whole bent of his mind was towards ways of peace and love, yet the call of his country stirred him to the depths. Probably no man has ever joined the ranks with a clearer consciousness of absolute duty and of all that his action meant for his country and for himself. After an early life of severe trials he had a short period of married happiness and of larger hope. His whole nature was rapidly expanding. - R.I.P. King's College Review, Dec. 1916
Biographical
| Surname(s) | Gosden |
|---|---|
| First name(s) | William Stephen |
| Date of birth | 1896 |
| Place of birth | Eastbourne, Sussex |
| College | King's College London and/or King's College London Hospital |
| Dates at college | Oct. 1914 - Jan. 1916 |
| Dept / course | Faculty of Theology |
| Military unit | The Queens Own (Royal West Surrey Regiment) 2nd Bn., previously 2237, Royal Sussex Regt. |
| Place enlisted | Eastbourne |
| Service number | G/24017 |
| War / conflict | World War One (1914-1918) |
| Campaigns | France and Flanders |
| Date of death | 6 September 1916 |
| Rank at death | Private |
| Cause of death | Killed in action |
| Commemoration(s) | King's College Chapel; Thiepval Memorial; All Saints Church, Eastbourne |
| Sources | King's College London Archives; Commonwealth War Graves Commission |
Further information
To contribute further information for this page, please click here to contact us ›
