You're Bard!

In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,

Henry V, Act III, Scene 1

William Shakespeare [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The anniversary of the birth and death of William Shakespeare is commemorated on 23 April.  Last year was 450 years since Shakespeare's birth and next year will be the 400^th anniversary of his death.

Our records show that there was a Private William Shakespeare serving with the Durham Light Infantry during the First World War.  I haven't been able to find any service records for Private Shakespeare but he does appear in the medal records and the list of recipients of the Silver War Badge. 

Private Shakespeare enrolled with the 11th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment (Hull Pals) in January 1916 and at some point transferred to the 10th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.  His medal index card shows him with the Durham Light Infantry Depot.  

Detail from Private William Shakespeare's medal index card (The National Archives, WO 372/18/2578, via Ancestry.com)

In June 1917, Shakespeare was discharged due to sickness for which he received the Silver War Badge.  This badge was awarded from September 1916 to men discharged wounded or sick so the public would know that they weren't Conscientious Objectors.

If anyone has further information about this William Shakespeare, we would be interested to hear about it at contactdurhamatwar@durham.gov.uk