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South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Bombardier 614384 Arthur KEEN - 2nd/1st Warwickshire Battery, 126th Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery

Killed in Action on Friday 20th July 1917 aged 20

Grave for A Keen

Military History
   
Theatre of WarMedalsCommonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France and Flanders British War & Victory Medals Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery
     
Arrived in TheatreMedal Citation (if app)SWFHS Area Memorials
June 1917 in France ~ Leamington St. Marks (New Milverton)
    Leamington Spa War Memorial
Action, Battle or Other Reason KilledDate and Place Enlisted Warwickshire RHA, Warwick 
Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) August 1914 at Leamington Spa  
     
Place of DeathPrevious Regiments or UnitsOther War Memorials
near Trois Tours ~  ~
     

Circumstances of Death

Arthur is listed as being killed in action on 20 Jul 1917 when the farm building he was billeting in took a direct hit from an enemy shell. The war diary entry for that day [WO 95 2854/7] is transcribed below.

Trois Tours - In the field - 20.7.17: 2 inch fired 410 rounds on enemy front system, only about 30 yards of wire left in this sector. Billet hit by enemy shell causing 15 OR to be killed & 28 OR to be wounded. All casualties with the exception of 2 OR belonging to 126 A.F.A Bde.

 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/PlaceBaptism Date/Place
Jul Qtr 1896 at New Milverton 4 Oct 1896 at New Milverton, St. Mark's
   
Parents NamesAbode
Henry and Harriett Keen 12 Quarry Street, Milverton 
   
SchoolsColleges
  ~
   
Address HistoryEmployment History
1896 - New Milverton 1911 - Grocers Errand Boy
1901 - 12 Quarry Street, New Milverton   
1911 - 12 Quarry Street, New Milverton   
1917 - 12 Quarry Street, Milverton   
   

 

South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 9745 Edward Charles HARRISON - 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment


Killed in Action on Sunday 3rd September 1916 aged 31

Military History
   
Theatre of WarMedalsCommonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France and Flanders 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals Thiepval Memorial
     
Arrived in TheatreMedal Citation (if app)SWFHS Area Memorials
2 May 1915 in France ~ Warwick (Eleanor Cross) War Memorial
    Warwick All Saints
Action, Battle or Other Reason KilledDate and Place Enlisted Warwick St. Paul's
Battle of Guillemont (Somme)  December 1914 in Warwick  
     
Place of DeathPrevious Regiments or UnitsOther War Memorials
near Ginchy  Pte 203097 Royal Warwickshire   
     

Circumstances of Death

Edward is listed as being killed in action on 3 Sep 1916. The 2nd Battalion War Diary entries for 2nd & 3rd Sept 1916 are transcribed below.
 
In the Field - 2nd: The Battalion paraded at 10am and Marched to Pommiers Redoubt. At 8pm A&B Coys moved up to Montauban Alley and C&D coys moved to Folly Trench
 
In the Field - 3rd: At 7am on the 3rd A&B Coy moved up from Montauban Alley and took up their assembly positions with C&D Coys in Folly Trench. Bn HQ was moved forward from here and took up their position 150yds W of Waterlot Farm where they remained for the rest of the operations. While in assembly positions we suffered casualties from enemy's shell fire Killed 1 OR, Wounded 8 OR.
 
At the zero hour which was 12 noon the companies passed ? advancing very steadily in artillery formation towards their objective. The order of the Coys was A on the right, then B & C, D coy which was on the left hand to form a defensive flank facing N along Ale Alley. At 1.40pm a runner in from OC D Coy saying that he was held up by Machine Guns in Hop & Ale Alleys and was diggin in in front of them.
 
At 1.43pm a runner arrive from Lt D.W. Arnott who was now commanding B Coy, Catp Wasey having been wounded, stating that he had reached the objective and was digging in. The objectives of A, B & C  Coys was the Blue Line which they had to consolidate it was on running through the W end of Ginchy. All companies reached their objectives & dug in. A&B Coys in touch but we got no news from C. Coy. The 20th Manchester Regt were reported to be through the village.
 
At 4.21pm we got a verbal message that the troops were leaving the village when this was found to be true and the heavy and the heavy casualties we had suffered were known it was decided to relieve the Brigade.
 
At 11pm HQ was moved to Folly Trench and later back to Pommiers Redoubt and few men came in but the majority of them were still holding their original objective in Ginchy.
 
One detached group of C&D Coys under Capt H.P. Williams Freeman and 2/Lt R.E Willis hung on for 36 hours? after the Bde was relieved. Another detached group of A Coys under Lt J. S. Harrowin and 2/Lt H. Sulman hung on in the S end of Ginchy for 3 days after the Brigade had been relieved being unable to get any communication. This was of great value to the position of the troops in Guillemont.
 
The casualites during the period were rather heavy (320):
Officers (all named): 2 Killed, 1 died of wounds, 6 wounded and 2 missing believed wounded.
Other Ranks: 26 killed, 7 died of wounds, 197 wounded and 90 missing.  END
 
Of the 26 killed the following men are also listed on South Warwickshire War Memorials:
  • Private 1155 Frederick William LINNETT - Stretton on Dunsmore
  • Private 1546 Robert Edward Henry MURDEN, MM - Brinklow
  • Private 10684 Ernest SUMNER - Long Itchington
  • Private 1095 Herbert Charles LEE
  • Private 9745 Edward Charles HARRISON

 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/PlaceBaptism Date/Place
Jul Qtr 1885 in Warwick 2 Aug 1885 at Warwick St. Paul's
   
Parents NamesAbode
George and Mary Ann Harrison 35 Queens Square, Warwick
   
Wife and Marriage DetailsChildren
Rose Harrison nee Horsman George Edward born 15 Aug 1906
Apr Qtr 1906 in Warwick  
   
SchoolsColleges
  ~
   
Address HistoryEmployment History
1885 - Monk Street, Warwick 1901 -  General Labourer
1891 - Not found 1911 -  General Labourer
1901 - 35 Queens Square, Warwick  
1911 - 37 Queens Square, Warwick  
1915 - 37 Queens Square, Warwick  
   

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South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 43894 Tom SMITH - 7th Battalion, Yorkshire Light Infantry


Died on Monday 19th April 1920 aged 22

Military History
   
Theatre of WarMedalsCommonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders British War & Victory Medals Bilton (St. Mark) Churchyard
     
Arrived in TheatreSilver BadgeSWFHS Area Memorials
After 1 Oct 1916 # 237-476 issued 23 Aug 1917 Bilton War Memorial
     
Action, Battle or Other Reason DiedDate and Place Enlisted Other War Memorials
Tom died of Ulcerative Colitis and Bowel Cancer 6 Sep 1916 in Rugby  
     
Place of DeathPrevious Regiments or Units                     
Bilton, Rugby ~  
     

Circumstances of Death

Tom was medically discharged from the Army on 30 Aug 1917 suffering from Myalgia & Paraplegia and was given a Silver Badge.

Tom died on 19th April 1920 at his home in Bilton of Ulcerative Colitis and Bowel Cancer, aged 22.

 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/PlaceBaptism Date/Place
9 Sep 1897 in Bilton 14 Nov 1897 at Bilton St. Mark
   
Parents NamesAbode
Tom and Annie Lavinia Smith Yew Cottage, Old Bilton                          
   
SchoolsColleges
  ~
   
Address HistoryEmployment History
1897 - Bilton 1911 - Gardener
1901 - Poplar Cottage, Bilton 1916 - Gardener
1911 - Bilton 1920 - Market Gardener
1920 - Yew Cottage, Old Bilton  
   

 

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South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 12194 Edward ARTHUR - 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Killed in action on Tuesday 9th October 1917 aged 42

Military History
   
Theatre of WarMedalsCommonwealth War Grave or Memorial         
France & Flanders 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals Tyne Cot Memorial
     
Arrived in TheatreMedal Citation (if app)SWFHS Area Memorials
30 Nov 1915 in France ~ Stratford on Avon WW1 Memorial
     
Action, Battle or Other Reason DiedDate and Place Enlisted Other War Memorials 
Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) April 1915 in Stratford on Avon ~
     
Place of DeathPrevious Regiments or Units  
Polygon Wood ~  
     

Circumstances of Death

Edward is listed as being killed in action on 9th October 1917. The 2nd Battalion war diary entries for the period 8th to 10th October are transcribed below.

Polygon Wood – 8.10.17: Bn held the line E of Polygon Wood. A, D & C Coys in front line, B Coy in support.

12mn: 2/Lt Searle put out tapes for attack.

Polygon Wood – 9.10.17: 5.30am: The Battalion attacked with H A C on night. A Coy held the line on left. D Coy & C Coy attacked B Coy in support.

5.55am: Green lights seen all along our objective line. 2/Lt J H Davis killed at the Butte.

6.20am: Two wounded N C O’s of left Coy report Coy had passed through Judge Copse and had captured one prisoner. Enemy ran away and were fired on continuously.

6.50am: Enemy prisoner brought in by 2 men of 9th Devons, he was found in a pill box behind our lines near the Butte. Prisoner was there with 2 men of 2 R War R and stated he had been there for 3 days. Prisoners stated he belonged to 92 I.R. [92nd Infantry Regiment].

7.10am: Message received from H A C on night that continuous machine gun fire still coming from direction of Judge Copse.

7.15am: Sent message to O.C. support Coy to send Platoon to mop up Judge Copse.

7.30am: Received message from 2/Lt J M Green of left attacking Coy stating he was wounded and with A Coy (holding line on left of attacking Coys). Situation map marked. He reported that left attacking Coy had lost direction, passed through Judge Copse and had mixed with left Coy N edge of Cemetery. Also that B Coy (Supports) had advanced in direction of Cemetery and were with D & C Coys there.

8.40am: Sent message to O.C. A Coy to reconnoitre his right, collect any men of left attacking and establish them in defensive posts. Also informed him of advance of a Coy of 9th Devons who were being sent to mop up Judge Copse and fill up gap on the left flank.

Capt. D. Augcutt reported killed.

9am: Received message from 2/Lt J A Dorey (right attacking Coy) stating that they were on a line N of Cemtery.

Capt. C.L.N Roberts and 2/Lt R C STABLE killed.

Right Coy in touch with left of H A C.

10am: Received message from O.C. B Coy and situation map marked. Received message from O.C. B Coy to say he was sending a platoon to deal with Machine Gun in Cemetery.

12.10pm: Received message from Sgt Partridge, commanding D Coy

Received message from O.C. A Coy that 1 Coy 9th DEVONS were in position on his right.

2.30pm: O.C. 9th DEVONS received message from O.C. Coy on right of A Coy R WAR R that he is not in touch with D Coy R WAR R on W side of Judge Copse, but that his right is on E. edge of Judge Copse.

Officers commanding Battalions decide that an attack shall be made to clear enemy still in Copse by a raid by 9th DEVONS.

4pm: Received message from O.C. A Coy – Captain G.C. Blandy killed.

4.15pm: Received message from O.C. C Coy and situation map

5.35pm: Received report of patrols and situation from O.C. A Coy

5.45pm: S.O.S. sent up on our front. Enemy barrage put down. Received A295 from Brigade. 2/Lts C.W. MaGuire & A.Scrivener joined.

Polygon Wood - 10.10.17: 7am: Message from A Coy sent 2/Lt Wheeler to D Coy, established connection on right. 9th Devon party cleared Judge Copse. Capt. R.A. Rafael returned from line and reported all connected up.

9am: Situation report from Officers Commanding C & D.

11pm: Battalion relieved

 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/PlaceBaptism Date/Place
23 Aug 1873 in Ilmington 31 Aug 1873 at Ilmington RC Church
   
Parents NamesAbode
Charles and Emma Arthur 23 Bull Street, Stratford-on-Avon 
   
SchoolsColleges
  ~
   
Address HistoryEmployment History
1873 - Ilmington 1881 - School age
1881 - 3 Meer Street, Stratford-on-Avon  1891 - Sawyer
1891 - Greenhill Street, Stratford on Avon 1901 - Sawyer
1901 - Station Road, Shipston on Stour 1911 - Sawyer
1911 - 90 Albion Street, Kenilworth   
1915 - 23 Bull Street, Stratford  

 

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South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Lieutenant Percy Dale "Toggie" KENDALL - 10th (Scottish) Battalion, Liverpool Regiment

Killed in action on Monday 25th January 1915 aged 36

Percy Kendall gravce for pd kendall

Military History
   
Theatre of WarMedalsCommonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals Kemmel Churchyard
     
Arrived in TheatreMedal Citation (if app)SWFHS Area Memorials
03 Nov 1914 in Havre  ~ Stratford on Avon Cemetery Memorial 
     
Action, Battle or Other Reason DiedDate and Place Enlisted Other War Memorials
Winter Operations 1914-15 Enlisted on 5 Aug 1914 as a Private Prescott War Memorial 
    Solicitors & Articled Clerks, Holborn
Place of DeathPrevious Regiments or Units Lower Bebington, Merseyside  
Front lines near Locre  -  Lower Bebington Methodists
     

Service Record

  • Pre-war Percy was a Colour Sergeant in the Liverpool Scottish Territorial Battalion 
  • 19 Sep 1914 - Commissioned as 2nd Lt (Gazette)
  • 05 Jan 1915 - Promoted to Lt (Gazette)

Circumstances of Death

Percy is listed as being killed in action on 25th January 1915. The 10th Battalion war diary entry for the period 24th to 28th January is transcribed below along with a eulogy from the Bishop of Liverpool.

War Diary Entry

Trenches on Front Line - 24 Jan 1915: The Battn returned to the trenches on the night of the 24th, this time being given G section which was taken over from the RIR. The RSF being on our right the 5th Fusiliers on the left.

150 Rifles & two machine guns were in the front line, 50 men in support (54) the remaining Coy with Bn HQ & being in two farms some 500 yds behind the firing line. Both farms being in full view of the German trenches and subject to shell fire, which made it necessary for the men to remain under cover during the day.

On the morning of the 25th the supporting point 54 & Bn H.Q. were shelled, a heavy shell falling within 20 yards of Bn H.Q. at 6pm. The Bn lost Lieut Kendall who was killed by a rifle bullet.

On the 26th the shelling was again continued three shells hitting 54 but fortunately no casualties occurred.

In the early morning of the 27th Sergt. Sleepen was wounded returning from Bn HQ to Kemel.

On the 28th the RIR relieved us, the Battn returning to the same billets as previously occupied at Locre.

 
 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/PlaceBaptism Date/Place
21 Aug 1878 in Prescot, Lancs  22 Sep 1878 in Prescot, Lancs 
   
Parents NamesAbode
Francis Henry and Margaret Eulalie Kendall  Birkenhead
   
Wife and Marriage Details Children
Katherine Minnie Kendall nee Higginson Timothy Kendall born  
21 Apr Qtr in Rock Ferry, Birkenhead  
   
SchoolsColleges
Ellway Preparatory School, New Brighton Trinity College, Cambridge 1896 - 1900                
Tonbridge School 1890 to 1896 (School Obituary)  
   
Address HistoryEmployment History
1878 - Prescot, Lancs  
1881 - West End Villa, West Street, Prescot  1901 - Articled Clerk - Solicitor's 
1891 - Tonbridge School, Tonbridge, Kent 1902 - Passed Solicitors Exam
1901 - 39 Highfield South, Birkenhead 1910 - Solicitor
1902 - 26 North John Street, Liverpool 1911 - Solicitor
1909 - Dalehurst, Rock Ferry, Cheshire 1914 - Solicitor
1911 - The Old Rectory, Lower Bebington, Cheshire  
1915 - The Old Rectory, Lower Bebington, Cheshire  
   
  • Percy played Rugby Union, Scrum Half, for Barbarians, Birkenhead & Blackheath & then England between 1901 & 1903 (more here)

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  1. Driver 62386 Henry Allen PRESTIDGE
  2. Corporal G/11041 Albert HALFORD
  3. Captain Joseph Arthur RICHARDS
  4. Corporal 23547 Andrew WEBB

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