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 Star, British War & Victory Medals | White House Cemetery |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 4 Oct 1914 in Zeebrugge | ~ | Stratford on Avon WW1 Memorial |
| Stratford Holy Trinity Church | ||
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Died | Date and Place Enlisted | Stratford Cemetery Memorial |
| Battle of Gheluvelt (Ypres) | 19 May 1911 in Birmingham | |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | Other War Memorials |
| near Klein Zillebeke | ~ | ~ |
Circumstances of Death
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Ronald is listed as being killed in action on 30th October 1914. The 1st Battalion war diary entries for the day is transcribed. Please note that the first page has been torn and part of the text is missing and denoted by .... and the subsequent page is in a different hand and it appears that it replaces the original, see below for more. It should be noted that the Battalion was reduced to just over 80 men on a single day - 30th October 1914, again see below N of Klein Zillebeke- 30.10.1914: The enemy attacked the trenches .... the Battn at daybreak and .... Cavalry on the right giving way .... to enfilade the trenches. The exact narrative of the casualties that day are unknown but the following officers (6) and about 320 NCO's and men [including 3rd D.C.L.I; 3rd Essex] were found to be missing that day. No accurate information is obtainable regarding this action but it is hoped that this record will be verified and completed with further details on the return to of those Officers who were actually engaged and now Prisoners of War. No Officer remained after the 30th October and the party which survived the action on that day (approximately 86 other ranks) were attached to the 2/Queens. The following is taken from an article on the BBC website (click here) about the dedication of a memorial in Zandvoorde to all the men who lost their lives during the battle. A memorial is being dedicated to the hundreds of soldiers from the Royal Welsh Fusiliers who died in one of World War One's bloodiest battles. The 1st Battalion was annihilated in 20 ferocious days of fighting in October 1914 after an attack turned to defence against German shelling. More than 1,100 men were killed in the countryside around Ypres and families are in Belgium to mark the centenary. A memorial will be unveiled near the village of Zandvoorde on Sunday. There will also be ceremonies at Gheluvelt to mark the losses by the South Wales Borderers and the Household Cavalry. The 1,100 men of the 1st Battalion had marched 120 miles to Ypres to join the effort to push the Germans out of Belgium. But they were surprised by the strength of the enemy, swelled by volunteers, and after two days of bombardment were reduced to only 200. The First Battle of Ypres marked a transition from fighting on the move to what would become trench warfare. After reinforcements, a 400-strong battalion over the next two weeks faced heavy German artillery, attacks and incoming shrapnel into the trenches near Zandvoorde. More than 275 were killed and 50 wounded taken prisoner on 30 October 1914. The next morning, only 86 men were left standing. The battle continued for a few more weeks, while the 1st battalion was reformed. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| Jan Qtr 1889 in Stratford on Avon | 31 Mar 1889 in Stratford on Avon |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Frederic and Jane Ann Taylor (Both Deceased) | Bridge Foot, Warwick Road, Stratford on Avon |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1889 - Stratford on Avon | 1901 - School age |
| 1891 - 8 Warwick Road, Stratford on Avon | 1911 - Stone Mason |
| 1901 - Bridge Foot, Warwick Road, Stratford on Avon | 1911 - Solider in Royal Welsh Fusiliers |
| 1911 - Bridge Foot, Warwick Road, Stratford on Avon | 1914 - Solider in Royal Welsh Fusiliers |
| 1914 - Army Barracks, Malta | |
