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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 5386 William GARDNER - 2nd/6th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment


Killed in Action on Thursday March 21st 1918 aged 22

Military History
     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals Pozieres Memorial
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
18 Jul 1915 in France ~ Temple Balsall Cemetery Gates
    Balsall Common 
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed Date and Place Enlisted  
German Spring Offensive Aug/Sep 1914 in Coventry Other War Memorials
    St. Mary's, Far Coton, Northampton
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units  
Oppy NW of Arras ~  
     

Circumstances of Death

William is listed as being killed in action on 21 Mar 1918, the first day of the German Spring Offensive. The 2nd/6th Battalion war diary entry for that day is transcribed below along with a transcription of a Report on Operations of Surplus Personnel from 21st to 26th March 1918. We do not know if William was with the main part of the Battalion or the Surplus Personnel.

21 March 1918

War Diary

Front Line outside St. Quentin - 21/3/1918: Enemy bombardment commenced at 4.45am and continured until 11.30am. END

From Report on Operations

All other ranks under Major H.N. Davenport proceeded to Ugny and all surplus officers (9) under Captain A.D. Wilcox proceeded to Corps Reinforcement Camp at Estouilly near Ham, and returned to Ugny with a draft of approximately 60 O.R. the same day. This composite force dug in as a defensive measure, and remained until ordered to retire to Voyennes. About 200 O.R. of the Battalion were picked up on route, but proceeded in the direction of Nesle under 2/Lt J. McDonough.

Full Report on Operations

Brief Summary of Operations by Surplus Personnel of Battalion from Night of 21st

21.3.18: All other ranks under Major H.N. Davenport proceeded to Ugny and all surplus officers (9) under Captain A.D. Wilcox proceeded to Corps Reinforcement Camp at Estouilly near Ham, and returned to Ugny with a draft of approximately 60 O.R. the same day. This composite force dug in as a defensive measure, and remained until ordered to retire to Voyennes. About 200 O.R. of the Battalion were picked up on route, but proceeded in the direction of Nesle under 2/Lt J. McDonough.

22.3.18: Surplus personnel took up defensive position at Bridge-head at Voyennes until 5am, and proceeded to Nesle where they were ordered to barricade the streets round Church and prevent enemy advance through town. Brig-Gen Spooner and two other Generals were present at this operation.

23.3.18: The force was ordered to proceed to Billancourt where the Battalion also arrived the same evening.

24.3.18: Surplus moved to Damery under arrangements

25.3.18: Force proceeded to Damery under Brigade and 6pm same night to Folies

26.3.18: Our patrols were fired on moving along Roye-Amiens road in direction of Roye. Stores etc. moved off at once. Remainder took up a defensive line through Warvillers and Rouvroy until relieved by 89th and 90th Brigades at 4pm same day. Force then withdrew to Mesieres and met rest of Battalion and dug defensive positions.
 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
30 Mar 1892 in Temple Balsall 1 May 1892 in Temple Balsall              
   
Parents Names Abode
William and Mary Elizabeth Gardner Fen End, Temple Balsall 
   
Wife and Marriage Details Children
Agnes Gardner nee Hunter William Edward born 22 Sep 1918                         
Oct Qtr 1917 in Hardingstone  
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1895 - Temple Balsall 1911 - Farm Labourer
1901 - Fen End, Balsall  
1911 - Fen End, Temple Balsall   
1917 - 9 Henley Street, Far Coton, Hardingstone
  
   

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