Willie (sometimes 'William') Andrew was born in Wales and later lived in Birmingham where he joined the army. He was billeted in Chelmsford early in the war and was one of at least ten men killed by an outbreak of meningitis in the early months of 1915.

"Some cases of cerebrospinal fever having recently occurred in the Borough of Chelmsford, and exaggerated statements as to the extent of the outbreak having gained currency, it is officially stated on the authority of the Sanitary Committee and the Medical Officer of Health that the exact number of cases of this disease existing at present in the Borough at the present time is 11. Since the original outbreak some few weeks ago the total number of cases in Chelmsford including those mentioned above, has been 17 - 13 military and 4 civil - and the total number of deaths which have occurred is six (a seventh was to occur later in the week of the statement).

The matter is receiving the careful attention of the Local Government Board, the Town Council, and the Military Authorities, and every possible precaution is being taken to prevent the spread of the disease.

The Local Government Board state that the fever is not of a rare occurrence in the United Kingdom, and in the last forty years the malady has been known to be present in a considerable number of different localities in England and Wales, several of the outbreaks having taken place in recent years. The Board also state - Whether cerebrospinal fever is spread by direct infection from person to person is a matter of uncertainty; indeed, there is as yet no definite knowledge as to the war or ways in which the transmission may take place. Since, however,, the possibility of direct personal infection cannot, on the evidence available, be excluded, it will be wise to endeavour to secure, as far as practicable, the isolation of the sick from the healthy. It will also be advisable to apply suitable measures if disinfection to premises that have been  occupied  by the sick and to articles that may been in relation with them."

Willie was buried with full military honours in grave 188 at Chelmsford Borough Cemetery in the afternoon of 25th February 1915. The service was conducted by Rev, W, J, Selby, Senior Chaplain in the South Midland Division. The coffin, covered with the Union Flag, was brought to the cemetery on a gun carriage and six members of the Army Service Corps acted as bearers. A military band headed the procession and the service ended with the customary three volleys over the grave and sounding of the 'Last Post'.

William's grave contained the remains of 34 year-old Richard Mann and his 3 year-old son who had both died in the summer of 1892.

William's father lived at 31, Muntz Street, Small Heath, in Birmingham.

The military victims of the 1915 outbreak of cerebro-spinal meningitis  in Chelmsford included:

Harold Leach - 24th January 1915

Charles William Giles - 25th January 1915

Ernest Stone - 8th February 1915

Frederick Sims - 11th February 1915

Bertie Ames - 17th February 1915

William Ernest Bruton - 17th February 1915

Henry Gilbert Edmondson - 19th February 1915

William Andrew - 20th February 1915

Frederick James Andrewartha - 26th February 1916

Thomas Charles Tooth - 4th March 1915

Walter Ernest Harris - 22nd March 1915

Samuel Herbert Bolton - 25th March 1915

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