Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Frederick Charles Keyte, a groom, born 1872 in Worcestershire and his wife Sarah Emma Keyte (nee Holmes, married in the 3rd quarter of 1894 in Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire), born 1875 in Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire. William Edward was born in the 1st quarter of 1899 in Quorn, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Eveline Lucy, born 1895 in Barrow upon Soar and baptised on the 3rd March 1895 in Barrow upon Soar, Thomas Henry H., born 1897 and Archibald Charles, born 1900, the latter two siblings were both born in Quorn, In March 1901 the family home was at Freehold Street, Quorn. In April 1911 William was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Temple Bruer, Wellingore, Lincolnshire, together with his father, a domestic groom, his mother and siblings, Thomas, a schoolboy, Archibald, a schoolboy, Frederick Joseph, a schoolboy, born 1901 in Quorn, Walter, a schoolboy, born 1903 in Barrow upon Soar, Ralph Reginald H., born 1907 and Jack, born 1910, the latter two siblings were both born in Temple Bruer.
The War Diary records: 3-6 Apr-18 – SHEET 57D.NE, 1-20.000. The Battalion relieved 5 platoons of the 1/7th NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS PIONEERS between limits L.4.a.66 and the grid line between squares F.28 and L.4 on the night of the 3rd inst. REF. 125 Infantry Brigade message BM 98.
At 5.00 am on the 5th inst. the enemy put down a heavy barrage for three hours. He attacked at 9.00 am and drove in the left flank. The 1/7th LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS formed a defensive flank. The right flank held out, but was afterwards forced to withdraw through village of BUCQUOY. The remnants of the Battalion, consisting of 80 men, in conjunction with the 1/5th LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS counter attacked about 4.30 pm, and re-established a line somewhat in rear of our original position. The Battalion suffered the following officer casualties during the 5th inst.- Temporary Lieutenant Colonel O. St. L. DAVIES, killed. Captain G. W. SUTTON, wounded. Lieutenant H. THRUSH, missing. Lieutenant H. B. IVERS, wounded. 2nd Lieutenant A. C. GIBBINS, wounded. 2nd Lieutenant J. H. RICK, missing. 2nd Lieutenant J. G. LYMER, missing. 2nd Lieutenant E. W. ROSE, killed. 2nd Lieutenant L. J. CLAY, killed. Other Ranks casualties estimated at 202.
The War Diary records: 7 Apr-18 - SHEET 57D.NE, 1-20.000. The 12th Infantry Brigade was relieved in the line by the 185th Infantry Brigade and part of the 186th Infantry Brigade on the night of the 7th inst., and on relief went into CORPS RESERVE. The Battalion, which was in support in the YELLOW LINE immediately North of the ESSARTS - BUCQUOY ROAD was relieved by part of the 2/7th WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT, and on relief marched to SOUATRE and from there proceeded by bus to billets at VAUCHELLES. REF. 125 Infantry Brigade order No.75. LENS SHEET N, 1-100,000.
On Friday April 26th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LOSSES IN THE BIG BATTLES. – HEAVY MELTON CASUALTIES. – LOCAL SOLDIERS KILLED. – Official reports which have come to hand during the past week show that heavy casualties have been sustained amongst the Melton lads during the recent great German offensives. Quite a number of local soldiers have lost their lives, and the utmost sympathy will be extended to the bereaved relatives and friends. It is obviously impossible for us to ascertain all the local casualties which have been notified, and we shall esteem it a favour if our readers will acquaint us as early as possible after receiving information concerning the fate of their relatives at the front. Many rumours have been widely circulated which, upon inquiry, have proved unfounded, but quite a number of wives and parents are experiencing considerable anxiety because they have not heard from their husbands and sons for several weeks.
On Tuesday afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Keyte, 10, New-street, Melton Mowbray, received official information that their second son, Pte. W. E. Keyte, Lancashire Fusiliers, had been killed in action on April 7th. Deceased was 19 years of age, and enlisted on the 17th April, last year, going out to France on the 8th February. He was home on leave last Christmas, and again in January. He was formerly employed at the local Remount Depot.
On Friday May 17th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – The official casualty lists issued during the past week have included a very large number of Leicester’s, also of names of local men belonging to other regiments. Among them have been the following relating to this district, all being privates unless otherwise stated:- From Yesterday’s list:- Killed. – Lancashire Fusiliers Keyte, 50207 W. E. (Melton Mowbray). Missing: Machine Gun Corps. – Andrews, 53241 A. (Melton Mowbray).