The Men Who Fell in WW1

South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One

Private 14437 Walter LONG - 7th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment

Died on Tuesday 24 April 1917 aged 22

Military History


Theatre of War	Medals	Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
Salonika	1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals	Doiran Memorial

Arrived in Theatre	Medal Citation (if app)	SWFHS Area Memorials
21 Sep 1915	~	Haseley \| Hatton Cross

Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed	Date and Place Enlisted	Other War Memorials
Second Battle of Doiran (Dojran)	March 1915 at Birmingham	~

Place of Death	Previous Regiments or Units
Grand Couronne, Doiran	Pte 15357 Oxford & Bucks LI

Circumstances Leading to Death (Normally from War Diary)

Walter is listed as being killed in action on 24 Apr 1917. The following is a description of the days actions.

Walter's 7th Battalion were in the trenches near Doiran when on the night of 24th April 1917 the were ordered to attack enemy lines at Grand Couronne. After a bombardment of some 100,000 shells on the enemy lines they launched their attack on the Bulgarian forces but came up against devastating fire and wire defenses that had been untouched during the bombardment. 14 out of the 15 officers became casualties, together with about 300 other ranks, a third of the battalions total strength. The companies then came under the command of Warrant Officers and Sergeants. The regiment was forced to retreat to their original lines with the total allied casualties being over 12,000. Both sides staying in position for the next 16 months until the 3rd Battle of Doiran.

Personal & Family History

Birth Date/Place	Baptism Date/Place
Apr Qtr 1895 at Haseley Knob	21 Apr 1895 at Honiley

Parents Names	Abode
George and Eliza Long	both deceased

Next of Kin - 1917	Abode
Miss Mary Anne Long - sister	Hatton Hill near Warwick

Schools	Colleges
	~

Address History	Employment History
1895 - Haseley Knob	1911 - Farm Labourer
1901 - Haseley
1911 - Fen End, Knowle (servant)
1917 - Haseley Knob

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South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One

Private 6401 Jonathan Pickering SHAW - 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment

1s
Killed in Action on Tuesday 3rd November 1914 aged 31

Military History


Theatre of War	Medals	Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France and Flanders	1914 Star & Clasp, British War & Victory Medals	Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial

Arrived in Theatre	Medal Citation (if app)	SWFHS Area Memorials
12 Sep 1914 in France	~	Hillmorton \| Dunchurch

Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed	Date and Place Mobilised	Other War Memorials
First Battle of Ypres	August 1914 at Rugby or Northampton

Place of Death	Previous Regiments or Units
Ypres	~

Circumstances of Death

Jonathan is listed as being killed in action on 3 Nov 1918 during the first Battle of Ypres. It appears from a letter written to the Red Cross seeking his whereabouts that he was original reported as missing in action.

Unfortunately the 1st Battalion War Diary for the period 26 Oct to Nov 15th 1914 was either lost, never completed or destroyed and at the moment we have no real details of the events that led to his death and we await delivery of a book recently ordered about the 1st Northampton's.

Personal & Family History

Birth Date/Place	Baptism Date/Place
Apr Qtr 1883 in Rugby District	24 Jun 1883 at Rugby St. Matthew

Parents Names	Abode
William John and Mary Ann Shaw	Thurlastone

Wife and Marriage Details	Children
Mary Ann Shaw nee Bishop	Surviving - Annie Elizabeth born 2 Oct 1910 \| Frances born 10 May 1912
Jul Qtr 1910 in Rugby District	Deceased - Dorothy (1913 - 1917) and John Edward (1915 - 1916)

Schools	Colleges
	~

Address History	Employment History
1883 - Thurlastone	1891 - Scholar
1891 - Village, Thurlaston	1901 - Agricultural Labourer
1901 - Thurlaston	1911 - Post Office Telegraph Labourer
1911 - School Street, Hillmorton
1914 - School Street, Hillmorton

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South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One

Able Seaman BZ3434 Leonard Sidney MATTHEWS - 2nd Anson Battalion, Royal Naval Division

Leonard Survived the War

Military History


Theatre of War	Medals	Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France and Flanders	British War & Victory Medals	Not applicable

Arrived in Theatre	Medal Citation (if app)	SWFHS Area Memorials
10 Jul 1916 in Boulogne	~	Warwick (Eleanor Cross) War Memorial

Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed	Date and Place Enlisted
Leonard survived the war - see below.	18 Nov 1915 at Warwick

Place of Death	Previous Regiments or Units	Other War Memorials
Survived the war	~	~

Circumstances of Death

Leonard was reported as killed in action on 10 Apr 1918 and on 3 May 1918 it was reported that he had been buried. However on the same day it was also reported that he was taken as a prisoner of war. On 13 Jun 1918 it was confirmed that Leonard was in fact a prisoner of war in Germany at Crossen an der Oder (now in Poland).

It was also reported that he suffered an eye wound on 28 Mar 1918 and it is assumed that he went missing on that day. He was repatriated on 9 Jan 1919 and was discharged on 10 Apr 1919 with a disability pension due to the eye injury.

Please click here for Leonards service record which gives more specific details.

Leonard died in the Oct Qtr 1932 in Warwick.

Personal & Family History

Birth Date/Place	Baptism Date/Place
13 Apr 1897 in Coventry

Parents Names	Abode
John and Eliza Matthews	7 Pickard Row, Warwick

Schools	Colleges
	~

Address History	Employment History
1897 - Coventry	1901 - School
1901 - 28 White Friar Lane, Coventry	1911 - School
1911 - 4 Conway Square, Butts, Coventry	1915 - Machine Finisher
1915 - 7 Pickard Row, Warwick

Warwick War Memorial Project Biography

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South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One

Private 4485 Walter Edgar HUCKVALE - 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Killed in Action on Saturday 25th September 1915 aged 23

Military History


Theatre of War	Medals	Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders	1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals	Loos Memorial

Arrived in Theatre	Medal Citation (if app)	SWFHS Area Memorials
4 May 1915 in France	~	Leek Wootton

Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed	Date and Place Enlisted	Other War Memorials
Battle of Loos	11 Aug 1916 in Warwick	~

Place of Death	Previous Regiments or Units
St. Elie	~

Circumstances of Death

Walter is listed as being killed in action on 25 Sep 1915 (first day of the Battle of the Loos). The 1st Battalion war diary entry for that day is transcribed below along with an extract from The Story of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment by Charles Lethbridge Kingsford.

War Diary

5.50am Saturday 25th September 1915 - In the trenches

Our bombardment ceased. Our advance commenced at 6.30am. Took German front line trench then [their] support trench then on to the Quarries as far as St. Elie. Captured about 60 prisoners and arrived at this position [not stated] at 9.30am. Kept it till after dark when we had to retire owing to the 9th Division on our left retiring. Occupied Quarries until midnight when we took up a position in support trench 400 yards west of Quarries. The battalion suffered casualties of 72 killed 177 wounded and 273 missing leaving the battalion with just 140 men.

Book Extract

The Story of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment by Charles Lethbridge Kingsford.

For the 2^nd Royal Warwickshire the months of June July and August were uneventful, but on September 25 came at the battle of Loos. In the attack that day the line of the 7th division was facing Cite St. Elie and the Hulluck Quarries 5 miles north of Loos. The Royal Warwickshire went over the top at 6:30 in the morning. In the face of a terrific fire they reached the first line trenches do you find that the wire was not cut. Private Arthur Vickers VC on his own initiative and with the upmost bravery ran forward in front of his company, and standing up in broad daylight under heavy fire cut 2 gaps in the wire. His gallant action contributed largely to the success of the assault that was justly rewarded with the Victoria Cross, the first that had been won by soldier of the Royal Warwickshire.

Continuing to advance through the Quarries the Battalion carried the second line also without much difficulty, but on reaching St. Elie at 9.30 were checked. Nevertheless they held on till dusk, when owing to the retirement of the 9^th Division on their right they were compelled to fall back. When the Battalion mustered at midnight there were present no officers and only 140 men. Lieut-Colonel LeFroy and two of his officers had been mortally wounded . 7 other officers were killed, 7 were wounded and 1 was a prisoner. Of the men 64 were killed, 171 wounded and 273 were missing. Lieut. H.P. Williams Freeman was attached to the Battalion next day and under his command the remnant remained in the trenches till September 29^th.

Loos was the last great action in which the British in France were engaged before the Battle of the Somme. During the intervening months there is no incident in the history of the Royal Warwickshire which calls for special record. But one after another eleven battalions of the Regiment were sent south and in June 1916 they were all in readiness to take part in the mighty conflict which was then about to begin.

Personal & Family History

Birth Date/Place	Baptism Date/Place
18 May 1892 in Leek Wootton	31 Jul 1892 at All Saints, Leek Wootton

Parents Names	Abode
John and Sarah Huckvale	Oaktree Cottage, Leek Wootton

Schools	Colleges
	~

Address History	Employment History
1891 - Leek Wootton	1901 - School age
1901 - Warwick Road, Leek Wootton	1911 - Assistant Domestic Gardener
1911 - Oaktree Cottage, Leek Wootton	1914 - Gardener
1915 - Oaktree Cottage, Leek Wootton

Walter used his middle name Edgar
Brother of John Charles Huckvale who also fell
Walter's father was the Head Gardener at Wootton Court

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South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One

Lance Bombardier 836220 Harvey Walter WATTS - 378th Battery, 169th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery

Killed in Action on Friday 12th April 1918 aged 20

Military History


Theatre of War	Medals	Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders	British War & Victory Medals	Hangard Communal Cemetery Ext

Arrived in Theatre	Medal Citation (if app)	SWFHS Area Memorials
After 1 January 1916 in France	~	Knowle Soldiers Chapel
		Knowle War Memorial
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed	Date and Place Enlisted
German Spring Offensive (Battle of the Lys)	May 1915 in Birmingham

Place of Death	Previous Regiments or Units	Other War Memorials
Gentelles	Original service # 2670	Army Reserve Centre, Sparkbrook

Wounded in both legs in September 1917 and invalided home. Returned to the front lines in early 1918
Harvey was originally buried at Map Reference 62D.U.13.b.8.2 very close to where he was killed, his remains were later moved to Hangard Communal Cemetery.

Circumstances of Death

Harvey is listed as being killed in action on 12th April 1918. 169th Brigade war diary entry for that day is transcribed below.

Nr Genetlles – 12/4/18: At day break the enemy made strong attacks on Hangard Village and to the immediate N and S. The attacks were repeated and batteries continued to fire on S.O.S lines until 12.30pm. The enemy succeeded in advancing a great distance. The batteries were very heavily shelled all the morning with balloon observation.

Lt G.W. Harvey (378 Battery) was killed, Lt D Stalker (378 Battery) was wounded. He supervised the removal of the wounded men and saw them away before having his own wound dressed. He died on the way to the Field Ambulance.

Capt. A.M. Gardner (377 Battery) was wounded. In addition 8 OR were killed and 14 wounded and 6 guns were knocked out.

7.35pm: Bde supported counter-attack by 10^th Bn Essex Regt. The Bde was reorganised owing to loss of guns and 377 Battery was taken out of action after making up other batteries in personnel and guns. 378 and 379 batteries moved to positions as follows:
378 Battery – 62D.U.14.c.36.60
379 Battery – 62D.U.13.c.95.20

S.O.S lines were amended. Harassing fire was carried out on roads & valleys. 307 Bde RFA relieved 174 Bde RFA on our left.

Personal & Family History

Birth Date/Place	Baptism Date/Place
4 Sep 1898 in Rhyl, North Wales	15 Sep 1898 in Rhyl

Parents Names	Abode
Kate Watts	Stanton House, Birmingham

Foster Parents	Abode
John (died 1905) and Sarah Adkins	Fern Cottage, Station Road, Knowle

Schools	Colleges
Knowle C of E School	~

Address History	Employment History
1898 - Seabank Road, Rhyl	1911 - School
1901 - Fern Cottage, Station Road, Knowle (Nurse Child)	1915 - Gunner in RFA aged 16
1911 - Fern Cottage, Station Road, Knowle
1916 - Station Road, Knowle
1918 - Knowle Vicarage, Knowle

Birth certificate does not name Harvey's father
Birth and Baptism have first names as Walter Harvey not Harvey Walter
Next of kin on CWGC site named as Ward of the Rev. Canon Thomas W. Downing, of Knowle Vicarage
Choir Boy and Sunday School member at Knowle Parish Church
Founder member of Knowle Scout Troop and became a King's Scout
Played for Knowle Old Boys Football Club
Member of the Knowle & Dorridge Volunteer Training Corps
Our thanks to Solihull Life for some of the bulletted information

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South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One

Circumstances Leading to Death (Normally from War Diary)

South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One

Circumstances of Death

South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One

Circumstances of Death

South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One

Circumstances of Death

War Diary

Book Extract

South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One

Circumstances of Death

Subcategories

Battalions, Brigades & Other Units