Hi Katy
The Laileys were a well known local family in and around the Shinfield / Spencers Wood area.
Thomas Henry (1st Bn The Royal Berks Regt) was the cousin of William Henry (10th Australian Light Horse).
They were agricultural labourers prior to WW1. William Henry moved throughout Berkshire & Oxfordshire searching for Agricultural labouring work before sailing from London to Freemantle, Western Australia.
Last November I attended the Shinfield memorial with my children and they laid poppy crosses in memory of their fallen relations - as an ex-serviceman myself it was a very emotional moment.
As a point of interest the action in which William Henry was killed (Gallipoli 1915) is depicted at the very end of the film 'Gallipoli' starring a very young Mel Gibson.
William Henry never married in Australia and had no children. However, we do believe that he had a 'sweet-heart' who posted his obituary in Australian newspapers at the time.
If you would like any further info please feel free to email me at
phoenixmerchandising@hotmail.co.ukBest wishes
Martin