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 | 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals | Arras Memorial |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 27 May 1915 in France | ~ | Stratford on Avon WW1 Memorial |
| Stratford Holy Trinity Church | ||
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Died | Date and Place Enlisted | Stratford Cemetery Memorial |
| Battle of Bullecourt (Arras) | Janaury 1915 in Stratford on Avon | |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | Other War Memorials |
| Bullecourt / Ecourt, Arras | ~ | |
Circumstances of Death
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William is listed as being killed in action on 4th May 1918. A description of the days events taken from C. L. Kingsford's book The Story of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and the 2nd Battalion war diary are transcribed below. 2nd Battalion at BullecourtThe fighting had now extended southwards where on May 8 the Australians broke through the Hindenburg Line east of Bullecourt. On that day the 22nd brigade was in reserve on May 4 but the 2nd Royal Warwickshire attacked northeast of Ecoust. The enemy, who at once put down a heavy barrage, held their position with many machine guns and with uncut wire. Unable to get forward the Royal Warwickshire dug in in scattered posts along the railway embankment before Bullecourt. Later in the afternoon in conjunction with the first Royal Welsh Fusiliers, about 200 men under Captain V. J. Sharkey were pushed forward, but the village was honeycombed with passages like a maze, and in face of the enemy's strong fire the assault failed with heavy casualties. On the two days two officers and 18 men were killed and ten officers and 228 men were wounded or missing. The 2nd Royal Warwickshire was relieved that night on May 5 for a short rest. War Diary Entry - 4th May 1917The battalion war diary, quite difficult to read, reveals that the 2nd Battalion attacked enemy lines at Bullecourt and Ecoust. The assault failed and the Battalion incurred at least 246 casualties in the process. A full account of the days events can be found in the war diary by clicking here [4 page PDF]. Please note and respect the copyright of The National Archives. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| Apr Qtr 1888 in Milcombe, Banbury | 10 Jun 1888 in Milcombe |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| James and Esther Coleman | 26 Sheep Street, Stratford on Avon |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1888 - Milcombe, Oxon | 1901 - School |
| 1891 - Milcombe, Oxon | 1911 - Not found |
| 1901 - 26 Sheep Street, Stratford on Avon | 1916 - Worker at Head Press Printing Co |
| 1911 - Not found - Not with family in Census | |
| 1918 - 26 Sheep Street, Stratford on Avon | |
- Brother of Reginald Coleman who also fell.