110511 Gunner 299th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery
William Renwick was born in October 1896 in Bridgwater. He does not seem to appear on the 1901 census, but in 1911, aged 16 he lived in the Fleur De Lis Hotel at 15 St Mary Street. He and his 15 year old brother Herbert were both working as clerks for a merchant. They were described as the step sons of publican Walter Murch and sons of that man's wife Madonna Murch. Evidently William's father had died and his mother had remarried.
Sometime during the war William enlisted in Bridgwater. On 5 September 1917 the Bridgwater Mercury reported' Gunner W. T. Renwick son of Mrs Murch of the Fleur de Lis Hotel has been detained in hospital in France suffering from dysentery. He is making satisfactory progress now'.
William was killed in action in France on 29 August 1918, during the closing stages of the war. He was aged just 22. His next of kin was recorded as Mr. B. Renwick, of Bridgwater. His death was reported in the Bridgwater Mercury on 11 September 1918. His will was registered on 9 May 1919 and his effects of £ 798 0s and 7d were left to grocer Alfred John Alexander Clench.
He is buried in the British Military Cemetery in Bienvillers, plot XX. F. 7. His name was added to his step father's memorial in the Anglican section of the Wembdon Road Cemetery, memorial 167. Its inscription reads: 'In Affectionate Remembrance of Walter Murch who passed away March 11th 1915 aged 58 years. In Affectionate Remembrance of William T Renwick 299th Siege Battery R.G.A. who was killed in action August 29th 1918 aged 22 years. Buried in the British Military Cemetery Bienvillers'.
