Pte William Impey, 27561, 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in action on the Somme on October 12th, 1916.

He was the son of Alfred and the late Sarah Ann Impey (died 1901) and stepson of Elizabeth Ann (Garrett), whom Alfred had married in 1909.

Before official War Office notification had arrived, Second Lieut Robert Oakley said in a letter to Mr Impey: "On October 12th, when we were participating in an attack, Pte Impey was among a number of men detailed to act as water carriers. In the course of his duties he was walking down a communication trench when they were heavily shelled. Under the circumstances I am afraid it is only natural to fear the worst, as he was well behind our lines and if he had been only wounded he would have been picked up by our stretcher-bearers."

Before joining the Colours in March 1915, William Impey had been employed by hat manufacturers Plummer & Co, of 32 Waller Street, Luton. He had also played in junior football for a number of years and was popularly known as Jock.