Universities at War

William was the only son of William Golder and Annie F. Paterson Golder (daughter of David Paterson of Lead Hills), who lived at Elvanside, Blyth, Northumberland. He was educated at North Eastern County School, Barnard Castle, then Armstrong College.

William was gazetted as Second Lieutenant to the Durham Light Infantry, 13th Battalion on 10th June 1915 and attained the rank of Lieutenant one year later. He served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from September 1916 and was wounded on 21st April 1917. He went to Italy in the early Autumn of 1917, returning to France in September 1918.

William was mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 2 April 1916) by Major-General David Campbell for gallant and distinguished service in the field. William was killed in action near St. Quentin on 5th October 1918 aged 22. At 0100 hours the battalion moved up to assembly trenches east of Prospect Hill with the object of attacking the high ground North of Beaurevoir. The initial assault was successful, but owing to heavy machine gun fire, which caused a lot of casualties, they were forced to retire. William was one of four officers to die in the action. His Adjutant wrote "…coming through the various dressing stations, his own men . . . forgot their pain and suffering when telling me how splendid he was. . . . He was a dear friend of mine, and he was greatly beloved by officers and men."