South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Sapper 69902 William PAXTON - 154th Field Company, Royal Engineers

Killed in Action Saturday, July 1, 1916 aged 35


Military History

   
Theatre of WarMedalsCommonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals Bienvillers Military Cemetery
     
Arrived in TheatreMedal Citation (if app)SWFHS Area Memorials
31 Jul 1915 in France ~ Preston on Stour War Memorial
    Stratford on Avon WW1 Memorial
Action, Battle or Other Reason DiedDate and Place Enlisted Leamington Spa Holy Trinity Plaque
Battle of the Somme (Battle of Albert)  17 Mar 1915 at Stratford on Avon   
     
Place of DeathPrevious Regiments or Units Other War Memorials
Bienvillers  82nd Field Company, Royal Engineers  
     

Circumstances of Death

William is listed as being killed in action on 1st July 1916 by a shell burst. The 154th Field Company war diary entries for the 1st & 2nd July are transcribed below.

Bienvillers - 01.07.1916: All Company's standing to at Bienvillers. The mounted section in Bivouac at Pommiers. About 6.30am whilst the company was changing position from the dump to the Sunken Berles Road, two 5.9 shells fell amongst them killed 15 and wounding 17. Oned died of wounds afterwards. All these casualties, except one, occurred in Nos 3 & 4 Sections and put them practically out of action for the time being.

Final bombardment and attack by the 46th Division.

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Bienvillers - 02.07.1916:Standing by. Orders to move on following day.



 
 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/PlaceBaptism Date/Place
Apr Qtr 1881 Preston on Stour  22 May 1881 Preston on Stour                                
   
Parents NamesAbode
William and Ellen Paxton  18, Preston on Stour
   
Wife and Marriage Details Children
Lily Paxton nee Ashby  William born 15 May 1914 
22 Nov 1913 Stratford on Avon  Ethel born 9 Sep 1915 
   
SchoolsColleges
  ~
   
Address HistoryEmployment History
1881 - Preston on Stour 1891 - Scholar
1891 - 18 Preston on Stour 1901 - Apprentice Carpenter
1901 - 18 Preston on Stour 1911 - Carpenter on Estate 
1911 - 18 Preston on Stour 1915 - Carpenter
1913 - 2 Arthur Street, Stratford on Avon  
1916 - 18 Percy Street, Stratford on Avon