South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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 The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 25100 George Thomas HARWOOD - 1st/5th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment

1s
Killed in Action on Saturday 15th June 1918 aged


Military History

     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
Italy British War & Victory Medals Giavera Memorial, Italy
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
After July 1917 ~ Cubbington
     
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed Date and Place Enlisted Other War Memorials
Battle on the Asiago Plateau (1918)  After 16 Jun 1917 at Rugby ~
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units  
Asiago Plateau, Italy ~  
     

Circumstances Leading to Death (Normally from War Diary)           

George is listed as being killed in action on 15 Jun 1918 on the Asiago Plateau in Italy. The war diary is not available but the below describes the actions that day.

The following is taken from The Story of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment by C. L. Kingsfield   

On June 15 [1918], when the 1/5th Royal Warwickshire was in the front line, the Austrians opened a heavy bombardment at three o'clock in the morning. At seven o'clock the infantry attack developed in strength and, breaking through a part of the line, drove the Royal Warwickshire back from their post at Perghele House, nearly surrounding the Battalion Headquarters which were close behind the front line. Major E.A.M. Bindloss who was in command was killed; but a gallant defense was made by the details under Regimental Sergt-Major Townley.

The 1/8th which was in support, at once moved up to a position in front of Cesuna Church, which they held throughout the day with great gallantry against repeated attacks. The 1/7th which was in the rear also came up in haste at ten o'clock. The Austrians were then cutting wire in front of Bruniatti, but B Company brought their Lewis-guns into action and quickly drove them back. D Company meantime made the Cesuna Switch secure, wholst others helped the artillery to haul an eighteen-pounder up on to the high ground, whence the magnificent work of the gunners saved the situation.

Fighting continued all the day, but the enemy held Perghele in strength and progress was slow. During the afternoon the 1/6th came up and next morning joined with the other three battalions in a counter-attack. In the course of the day the 6th and 7th recovered Perghele, together with with the guns which had been lost the day before, thus completely re-establishing the line; the 6th carried their counter-attack that evening into Ambrosini across the Ghelpac. The loss of the enemy was severe, that on our side light. In the Royal Warwickshire the 5th had 2 officers and the 6th 1 officer killed, of the men 22 were killed, and the total of other casualties was 155. The 2nd Royal Warwickshire, who were in billets in the rear, had orders to stand to during the offensive, but their services were not required. END



 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
Apr Qtr 1884 at Cubbington 30 Mar 1884 at Cubbington
   
Parents Names Abode
George and Caroline Harwood York Terrace, Queen Street, Cubbington 
   
Wife Marriage Date/Place
Mary Ann Harwood nee Kenning Oct Qtr 1917 in Warwick District
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1884 - Cubbington 1901 - Gardeners Assistant
1891 - Brick Yard Close, Church Lane, Cubbington 1911 - Steam Traction Engine Steerer
1901 - York Terrace, Queen Street, Cubbington  
1911 - York Terrace, Queen Street, Cubbington  
1916 - 14 Morton Street, Leamington