Military History

Military History

Amos is listed as being killed in action on 23 Mar 1918, his remains were never recovered and he is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial. The 2nd/7th Battalion war diary for that day is transcribed below along with an obituary from the Stratford Herald.

Trenches at Cazigny - 23rd March 1918: 2am: The Battalion was disposed in trenches on the West of the River Somme.

8am: Battalion moved into assembly position in as Reserve to 60th Brigade, 20th Division attacking on the line Cazigny. Battalion disposed in Redoubt and dug in under River embankment. X & Y Coys now organised as one Company under Capt. A.L Prosser.

5.45pm: Orders from B.G.C 60th Bde to clear up Cazigny, destroy footbridge and prolong the K.R.R. line from there. 2 Platoons under 2/Lieuts Walker and Stephens detailed. Capt D.L.A Paine to proceed with Platoons to see operations commenced. The two platoons to be under the instruction of K.R.R.

6.30pm: The two platoons left to report to K.R.R. Considerable enemy artillery and T.M. [Trench Mortar] activity on front during the night. Weather throughout the days clear and sunny. Night - sharp frost.

5.45am (24th March): Verbal order through an Orderly Officer of 60th Inf Bde to furnish a further 100 men for duty with previous platoons detailed for duty under K.R.R.

Stratford Herald - Friday June 17th 1919
DEATH OF ANOTHER STRATFORD HERO

Mrs. E. M. Unitt of Henley Street, has just received notification of the death of her husband Amos Unitt, which is supposed to have taken place in the fierce fighting in March of last year. Unitt joined the forces on February 28th 1917 and was in training at Sandown for some months, being employed as an instructor during the latter part of the time. He left for France on December 13th 1917 and was in action several times. He originally belonged to the 4th Warwicks but was attached to the 2nd/7ths when he reached France. He attained the rank of Corporal but was reduced on going out.

Unitt learned his business with Mr. D. Drinkwater and at the time he entered the army, was manager at Messrs. Lennards in High Street. One who knew him well writes that he was an acceptable local preacher, a teacher in the Wesleyan Sunday School and a member of the choir. He was a man of fine character and great promise and will be much missed by many who admired and loved him.

The widow has received a letter of sympathy from the King and Queen.

Military History

Ibhar is listed as being killed in action on 12th October 1915. The 8th Battalion war diary entry for that day is transcribed below and shows that Ibhar was one of two men killed by a heavy artillery bombardment.

Railway Wood – 12 Oct 1915: Enemy snipers and trench mortars active. Difficulty in locating enemy mortars our guns do not fire on them. Considerable damage to trenches and annoyance.

Same evening at 7.15pm from this German started a very heavy bombardment of Railway Wood, starting with three trench mortars. It was at first thought that they intended to attack. After 5 minutes all communication with front line companies was cut.

The bombardment continued with a lull till 8.15pm when it ceased. At first crumps were employed, but towards the end mostly whizz-bangs and woolly bear shrapnel. Considering the heaviness of the fire little damage was done. The front line was hardly touched but the communication trenches were fairly well crumpled in up to H.22. A.1 did not suffer at all. One of our machine guns was buried.

Casualties very slight, 2 killed and 10 wounded.

After the bombardment the night was quiet and much good work was put in, that everything was cleared up again by the next morning.

Military History

Arthur is listed as being accidentally killed on 15th June 1918. The 15th Battalion war diary reveals that he was killed in a railway accident when two trains collided. The war diary entry for the 15th June is transcribed below.

Penton Camp – 15 Jun 1918: Coys working as usual whilst C & D Coys were returning by light railway& train on broad gauge ran into them. 4 OR’s were killed and 14 injured.

The Battn cricket team played the 110^th F.A. [Field Ambulance] at Rousbridge and won by 63 runs to 50.

Lt J. Scott R.A.M.C. returned from hospital.