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 in Which Died | Campaign Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| France & Flanders | 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals | Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial |
| First Arrived in Theatre | Bravery & Conduct Medals | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 18 Jul 1915 in Boulogne, France | ~ | Leamington Spa War Memorial |
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Died | Date and Place Enlisted | Other War Memorials |
| Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) | October 1914 in Warwick | ~ |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | |
| near Kemmel | ~ | |
Circumstances of Death
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William is listed as being killed in action on 11 Aug 1917. The 11th Battalion War diary entries for the period 10th to 12th August are transcribed below. Front Lines near Kemmel - 10/8/1917: Enemy snipers and machine guns active in the front line neighbourhood. Back areas were heavily shelled, chiefly at 8-10pm and 1-3am. Battalion HQ was shelled by H.E. intermittently during the evening & a large number of gas shells were put down. Counter measures were taken against enemy snipers and a number of hits were claimed. A Joint Post was formed with the 47th Australian Battalion on our right. Front Lines near Kemmel - 11/8/1917: Brigadier General MacLachlan was killed near our right Company HQ while making a tour of inspection round the outpost line. Improvements were made in the outposts & support trenches & fire positions. Overnight - 11th -12th: Battn Changed over with 10th Loyal North Lancs and became Battalion in support of right sub-sector. During the relief a heavy barrage was put down by the enemy between the front & support lines. A direct hit was obtained on D Coy HQ. Trenches near Kemmel - 12/8/1917: Battalion was in support line with C & A Coys as left and right forward Coys ready to move into close support on signal from front line. Battalion was arranged in depth with B Coy at the Tower south of Oostraverne Wood & D Coy in dug-outs near Bttn HQ in Onaret Wood. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
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| Oct Qtr 1891 in Leamington Spa | 6 Dec 1891 at Leamington (Milverton) St. Marks |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| William and Annie Theresa Sumner | 6 Powers Court, Russell Street, Leamington |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1891 - 24 Union Road, Leamington Spa | 1901 - School age (9) |
| 1901 - 3 Guys Cliffe Road, Leamington Spa | 1911 - Shop Assistant |
| 1911 - 6 Powers Court, Russell Street, Leamington | |
| 1917 - 6 Powers Court, Russell Street, Leamington | |
