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 | British War & Victory Medals | Martinsart British Cemetery |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 18 Mar 1917 in Havre, France | ~ | Bilton War Memorial |
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Enlisted | Other War Memorials |
| German Spring Offensive | 19 Nov 1915 in Rugby | |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | |
| Aveluy Wood near Martinsart | 1st/12th Bn London Regiment | |
- 19 Nov 1915 - Enlisted at Rugby and placed in Army Reserve
- 21 Sep 1916 - Called up for service in Warwick
- 18 Mar 1917 - Posted to France
- 30 Jan 1918 - Transferred to 1st/23rd London Regiment
Circumstances of Death
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Alfred is listed as being killed in action on 5th April 1918. The 1st/23rd Battalion war diary entries for the period 4th to 6th April are transcribed below. Martinsart - 4 April 1918 – pm: Battalion relieved 22nd Battn. C & D Coys front line, A & B Support Aveluy Wood – 5 April 1918 – 6am: Enemy started to shell our front line until 8.30am when he advanced in small groups against C Coy (2/Lt W.G. Irwin) but were repulsed by Lewis Gun fire. At 9.2am A Coy went forward to reinforce C Coy. At 9.25am S.O.S went up along entire Battalion front. At 10.30am C Coy’s right flank was forced back – left flank was in the Wood. D Coy on left of front line attacked by overwhelming numbers and surrounded. Survivors state that the Coy met the enemy with rifles and Lewis Guns but were unable to prevent him getting into their rear. Lt H.S. Ewen MC; 2/Lt G.H. Crisp & 2/Lt W.J. Kemp missing. 2/Lt C.J. Strickland killed in action. At 11.30am enemy had penetrated between our front Coy’s. Owing to heavy M.G. fire from left rear A & C Coys were forced back to communication trench running from Wood to Battn HQ and established communication with 24th London Regiment on left along the edge of the wood (11.40am) 12.30pm: Major R.H. Tolerton MC (temporarily commanding the Battn) went to Martinsart to arrange counter-attack under 22nd Bn. About 12.40pm A & C Coys suffered heavy casualties from enfilade Machine Gun fire from direction of W.10.central. 4.15pm: Two Coys 22nd Bn attacked Aveluy Wood to re-establish original line. The Battn covered the attack with Rifle and Lewis Gun fire. Owing to heavy M.G fire from edge of Wood and absence of artillery support the counter-attack failed. Major Tolerton wounded in the head. Capt Cook, 22nd Bn, assumed command of 22nd & 23rd Battalions who fell back on line of Communication Trench and bank Battn strength – 5 Officers and 150 O.R. Aveluy Wood – 6 April 1918: Battn heavily shelled all day. About 6.30pm small parties of the enemy left the Wood opposite our Right Coy and ran is S direction. They were caught in our L.G. fire. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| Jul Qtr 1887 in Bilton | |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Charles and Elizabeth Burton | South View Cottage, Bilton |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1887 - Bilton | 1901 - School age |
| 1891 - The Village, Bilton | 1911 - Engineers Clerk |
| 1901 - South View Cottage, Bilton | 1915 - Order Clerk |
| 1911 - South View Cottage, Bilton | |
| 1915 - South View Cottage, Bilton | |
- The Bilton War Memorial mistakenly lists Alfred as being R.J. Burton and not A.J. Burton