South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

WW1_Logo.jpeg

The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


L/Corporal 17965 William Edward BLYTHE - 11th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry


Killed in Action on Monday 2nd September 1918 aged 31


Military History

     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders British War & Victory Medals Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
After 1 May 1916 ~ Bilton War Memorial
     
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed Date and Place Enlisted Other War Memorials
Hundred Days Offensive  March 1916 in Rugby  
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units  
near Lestrem ~  
     

Circumstances of Death

William is listed as being killed in action on 2nd September 1918. The 11th Battalion war diary entries for the 1st to 3rd September are transcribed below.

Epinette – 1.9.18 – 6am: The Battalion marched to Lestrem relieving the 15th Batt Essex Regt. Headquarters were established in Lestrem. Our front line were soon in touch with the enemy and reported them still retreating.

Lestrem, Trenches – 2.9.18 – All Day: After a quiet night the enemy shelled various parts of Lestrem but not very heavily. Our front line troops advanced but were met with much M.G. fire. During the night enemy again shelled Lestrem at intervals. Fires were still being started by the enemy and he continued his retreat. We were relieved by the D of W Reg during the evening and the Battn then marched to a spot just outside Merville there bivouacking for the night.

Merville – 3.9.18 – 1.30pm: The Battn marched off by road for St. Venant reaching this place about 6.30pm being billets in the Asylum.



 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
Jul Qtr 1887 in Bilton, Rugby 11 Sept 1887 at Bilton, St Mark's
   
Parents Names Abode
John Edward and Rose Blythe Old Bilton
   
Wife Marriage Details
Alice Charlotte Blythe nee Prescott 18 Apr 1918 in Holdenhurst, Hants  
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1887 - Bilton 1901 - School age
1891 - The Yard, Bilton 1911 - Railway Carriage Cleaner
1901 - Addison Terrace, Bilton 1916 - Soldier
1911 - 35 Wood Street, Rugby  
1918 - Hurn Bridge, Christchurch, Hants