William Heron did not earn a Victoria Cross, his family were not leading entrepreneurs of the 20th century and little evidence exists of his background. However I have enjoyed this challenge of getting to know this lesser known character.

William's parents were called Thomas and Rachael Heron. They lived at Brown’s Park in Holywood.

Like so many others, William signed up to the British war effort at Cultra in Bangor, now the site of the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. He became a member of the 13th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles forming part of the famous 36th Ulster Division.

The 13th Battalion was made up of volunteers from County Down and were previously known as 1st County Down before becoming the 13th Battalion.

William’s training took place at Clandeboye Estate in Bangor which holds a special significance for our remembrance of the Somme for on Clandeboye Estate stands Helen’s tower.

The land around Helen’s tower had been used as a training camp by the 36th Ulster Division prior to their journey from Belfast for France and for William and those soldiers, Helen’s Tower would have been a lasting image as they sailed out of Belfast Lough.

For this reason, in 1921, funds were raised by the families of the fallen and an exact replica, the Ulster Tower, was built on the battlefield at Thiepval where we are heading.

William’s training took place at Clandeboye Estate in Bangor which holds a special significance for our remembrance of the Somme for on Clandeboye Estate stands Helen’s tower.

For this reason, in 1921, funds were raised by the families of the fallen and an exact replica, the Ulster Tower, was built on the battlefield at Thiepval where we are heading.

By July 1915 William and the 13th Battalion had moved to Sussex in England before heading for France in October, landing in Boulogne.

The 36th Ulster Division was to play a vital role in the huge offensive on the 1st July 1916 at the Somme and William along with the rest of the 13th Battalion were some of the first to go over the top at 7.30 in the morning.

The battalion were reported to have breakfast along with a rum ration between 5-6am before parading and lining up at the base of the parapet at 6.30am.

At 7.15 William and the 13th moved forward to get as close as possible to the German trenches before emerging.

Reports have them nearly 150 yards from the German trenches at 7.30 when the whistle blew for the great advance to start.

The 13th Battalion were on the left of the east side advancing towards the top of the Ancre Valley where now stands the Ulster tower.

A replica of Helen’s Tower from William’s home town in Co. Down.

German machine guns were heard immediately and the 13th were cut down in minutes.

Most, if not all men in the Battalion, including William lost their lives on the 1st July 1916 at the Battle of the Somme.

William was 23 years old.

William is buried in the Mill Road cemetery at the Somme which was the position of the German front lines on the 1st July 1916.

About me

I am 17 years of age and I have just finished my first year of A levels at Bangor Academy. I studied for my AS exams; Drama, Government and Politics, English Literature and History!

History is one of my favourite subjects and has been for 6 years of secondary school experience. I have always been inspired by my heritage, as a young Jewish girl in Northern Ireland I have often taken an interest in the treatment of Jewish people in history. My grandfather passed away in Auschwitz concentration camp during the second world war and this has always given me reason to care about the politics of the past and what has happened to people at war.

I believe strongly in the quote, "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it." spoken by George Santayana. It is vital to learn about what has happened to generations before us so that a more peaceful world will one day be obtainable.

As a history student this project is extremely exciting and inspiring for me. I have so very much enjoyed learning about William Heron. His life and death, I hope should be forever remembered and honoured. "We will remember them."