Staff Sergeant William Michael Roddy

Royal Army Medical Corps

William Lorraine was born at Troqueer, Kirkcudbright to John and Elizabeth (nee Halliday) and started life out at Dunfermerline, Dumfrieshire, Scotland. By aged 11, William and his family had moved to 146 Colne Bank Road, Lexden, Colchester. The 1871 census shows his father John, a Linen Draper (36) and mother Elizabeth (40), together with his siblings, John James (9), Mary J (8), Lillian E (6), Alfred R (3), and Thomas (4 mo.)

By aged 21 and archived in the 1881 census, William was living at 134 Stanley Place, James Street working as Machine Handler. His sister Lillian appears to have taken the name Elizabeth, but the family, except for his father John was intact. By 1891 William was now married to Sarah Rebecca Pelling. The Pellings are well recorded on the same census record, so seems apparent that they met at Bury St. Edmunds where the Pelling family were also quartered. His wife, Sarah Rebecca originally came from East Donyland, Essex. The marriage had lasted 22 years in 1911, so wedding would have been about 1889. They were living in quarters at the Depot of the Suffolk Regiment at Bury St. Edmunds, Newmarket Road. William Bertie Lorraine was born c.1890.

At the time of initiation Aged 40 and was a Staff Sergeant with the Royal Army Medical Corps and living in Colchester By 1911, William was living at 63 Pownall Crescent and is recorded as Army Pensioner. He was employed as a ‘Government’ worker Canteen Manager. Daughter was Lilias Mary Lorraine (15 in 1911) and reported to be working as an Apprentice Milliner.

Probate Record: William of 63 Pownall Crescent Colchester died 14th January 1928. Probate London 16 February to Sarah Rebecca Lorraine widow. Effects £3348 10s 10d. Sarah passed away in 1934 at Colchester

Military:

c. 1881-1891 – Joined up and attested, promoted through the ranks. 1891 Sergeant – Medical Staff Corps Bury St Edmunds - Depot Suffolk Regiment 1900 Staff Sergeant - Royal Army Medical Corps - Colchester

Masonic:

Having been the first Junior Warden, William went on through Senior Warden in 1904 and then Worshipful Master of the Lodge in 1905. He completed 1 year as the Lodge Director of Ceremonies before becoming Secretary twice (8 years) and then Treasurer between 1922 & 1925 (4 years.) At the meeting of 18th January 1926, it states William resigned due to ill-health.