Forename: William James
Surname: Bliss
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment: Gloucestershire Regiment
Institution: St Paul’s Practising School
William James Bliss was born in May 1890, the son of Edward Bliss. He lived at 40 Rutland Street and attended St Paul’s Infant School before starting at the Practising School in October 1897.
He joined the 10th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment in September 1914 and became a Lance Corporal. He was wounded during the Battle of Loos in September 1915 when most of is battalion died including seven of his fellow Practising School pupils. William died on 4 September 1916, aged 26. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, having no known grave.