Info search WW I soldier (New York, Harrison: living, warehouse, best)

[danelleke]

I am the care taker of a soldiers grave here in Flanders Field, Belgium. Now I am looking for more information about him and maybe locate some family members.

Here is his info:

TILLEY William E. Jr,
born in Roslyn in October 1896,
son of Tilley William Sr and Hutts Caroline.
Army serial N°: 1216591
Private US Army
Machine Gun Battalion, 27 Division
Entered service from New York
Date of death: July 31,1918

Every bit of information is very welcome, thank you.

[Quick Commenter]

Firstly, thank you for caring for the grave site of one of our honored dead in Flanders Field American Cemetery (Waregem, Belgium).

While I cannot help you to locate family here on Long Island I would note that Private William E. Tilley, Jr. served in Company C , 106th Machine Gun Battalion, 54th Infantry Brigade , 27th Division (National Guard). Additionally, his machine gun battalion and the rest of the 27th Division (minus some artillery and support units) was serving with either the British 6th or 41st Divisions (within the British 2nd Army).

Many many New Yorkers and Long Islanders served in the Division.

He was killed in action July 31st 1918 in the occupation of the Dickebusch Lake and Scherpenberg Sectors (Flanders). Most likely he died along the front of the sector that ran 1.5 km north-northwest of Kimmel to 1/2 km. west of Elzenwalle.

Private Tilley's death was an early death for the 27th Division and was just a week after their final front-line training.

On August 19th (1918) his unit ((106th MG) participated in the Ypres-Lys Operation and in September were part of the Somme Offensive Operation which was a particularly brutal batle for the Americans and British as I am sure you know. The 27th Division suffered very heavy casualties there and it is quite likely several of Private Tilley's wartime pals are buried at Somme American Cemetery, Bony, France.

Thank you again and best of luck in your search.

[30to66at55]

You may want to write the Dept of Defense and see if they can give you any further info.

They probably dont have too much if anything at all.

Many years ago the DoD,s records warehouse had a major fire and many records were lost. I wrote to them requesting any info on my father who served in WW2 and they said all his records were destroyed in that fire.

[ocngypz]

Father: William Eugene Tilley Sr. He was a clam digger

Mother: Caroline. She sewed at home.

Sister: Elizabeth b 1880

Sister: Annie b 1883

Sister: Bertha b 1884

Brother: Willard Eugene (called Eugene) b 1886-89 (conflicting records)

Sister: Mary E b 1890

Sister: Harriett b 1893

Self: William Eugene Jr b 1896

Family lived on Main Street in the Village of Roslyn. At some point in time - probably after WWI the family moved to Glenwood Landing, NY (Glen St).... two towns over, but still on the harbor.

Brother Eugene was married to Agnes. He died Nov 1956 and is buried at the Long Island Veterans Cemetery. There was a son: F Harrison Tilley, but I only find one mention of him. He may not have survived childhood.

In an earlier census, there is a Grandson of William Sr mentioned living with the household: Clifford Smith. It's a popular name.......I'll see if I can find anything else.

[danelleke]

Thanks for all the help and information, it is much appreciated.