South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project
The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One |
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Military History |
| Theatre of War | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| France & Flanders | 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals | Thiepval Memorial |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 9 Aug 1915 in France | ~ | Great Alne & Kinwarton Hall |
| St. Mary's Church Great Alne | ||
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Enlisted | Studley War Memorial |
| Battle of Delville Wood (Somme) | Feb/Mar 1915 in Stratford-on-avon | |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | Other War Memorials |
| S of Martinpuich | ~ | ~ |
- It appears that William overstated his age at enlistment and his birth certificate reveals he was only 17 when he died and 16 when he enlisted.
Circumstances of Death
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William is listed as being killed in action on 23rd July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. The 10th Battalion war diary entries for the period 22nd to 25th July are transcribed below. NB. There is no entry for the 24th. S of Martinpuich - 22/7/16: Spent in improving the advanced front line which formed our kicking off point for the attack we had been ordered to make on the early morning 23/7/16. S of Martinpuich - 23/7/16 – 12.30am: We attacked a portion of the new switch line the enemy had dug in front of & due S of Martinpuich. B Coy attacked on the right but we failed to take our objective. B Coy however seized and held Point 17 with the aid of reinforcements from the remaining companies. This point proved most valuable enabling us as it did to observe the enemies line which had not previously been under our observation. In this action 2/Lt E.A. Naish was killed, 2/Lts A.J. Maybrey, L.N. Thornton, G.E. Kirby & F Gleave are missing whilst Lt T.A. Street & 2/Lts J. MacDonald & H. Wilcox were wounded. In addition we lost 11 other ranks killed, 58 other ranks wounded & 70 other ranks missing. 9.30pm: Relieved by 8th Royal Berks & move back into trenches in vicinity of Shelter Wood. Baizieux – 25/7/16: Relieved by 8th York & Lancaster Regt & move back to bivouac in Baizieux Wood. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| September 1898 in Studley | |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Ellen Bennett nee Harris | Burfords Lane, Great Alne |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1898 - Studley | 1911 - School |
| 1901 - Alcester Road, Studley | |
| 1911 - Burfords Lane, Great Alne | |
| 1916 - Burfords Lane, Great Alne | |
- William's birth certificate is almost impossible to read in parts. His father is not named and his mothers last name was Harris. He was
born in Studley on 2? Sep 1898. We have not found a baptism record.