South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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 The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 9058 Henry (Harry) SIMMONS - 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment

1s
Killed in Action on Tuesday October 13th 1914 aged 28

Grave for h simmons

Military History
     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France and Flanders 1914 Star & Clasp, British War & Victory Medals Meteren Military Cemetery
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
22 Aug 1914 in France ~ Berkswell
     
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed Date and Place Enlisted Other War Memorials
Battle of Armentieres On or before 4 Aug 1914 at Coventry  
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units  
Meteren ~  
     

Original Burial

Harry was originally buried as an "Unknown British Soldier - R Warwicks. 13.10.14" at map reference 27.X.15.c.7.7 which is on the western side of Meteren. His body was exhumed on 4 Sep 1919 and reburied at Meteren Military Cemetery which is on the eastern side of Meteren.

Circumstances of Death

Henry is listed as being killed in action on 13 Oct 1914. The was diary for that day is transcribed below.

Oct 13th 1914:

  • 2am: Arrived Castre and went into billets
  • 9.20am: Orders to move to Meteren
  • 9.30am: A&C Coys formed advance guard with Major Poole with D? Cyclist Coy and Cavalry? in front.
  • 10am: On reaching Fletre enemy were reported to be holding high ground along the ridge in Meteren. A&B Coys were deployed A on left South and B on right North of wall to advance & if possible to cross road. D Coy under Major Chester was sent up behind C Coy in support. Enemy retired into first obstacle Meteren, occupying trenches and houses.
  • 11am: Regiment ordered to push on and endeavour to drive them out
  • 1pm: Gained outskirts of village but were held up in great need of supports C&D Coys again advanced and took several trenches but suffered severely
  • 1.30pm: G.O.C. ordered Regiment to halt and he would attack with Xth Brigade north of village & 12th Brigade was to attack on S of road.
  • 2pm: 12th Brigade begin their attack
  • 3pm: Seaforths attack on our left & through A Coy which withdrew at dusk to Planeboon - C&D Coys under Capt Freeman and Major Christie were unable to withdraw till much late[r] owing to heavy fire but about 8pm the Kings Own came up & passed through them
  • 10pm: C&D Coys join Battalion at Planeboon, the Regiment becoming Reserve to Brigade. Meteren was taken during the night. Our casualties 42 killed, 85 wounded. Major Christie, Lt Gilliat (died of wounds), Lt Mongomery (badly wounded)**

** Lt Montgomery was to become Field Marshall Montgomery - click here for more.
 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
Jan Qtr 1884 at Berkswell 25 May 1884 at Berkswell
   
Parents Names Abode
George and Mary Simmons Byfield Place, Berkswell
   
Wife and Marriage Details Children
Susan Hannah Simmons nee Collins Lydia Dorothy born 28 May 1913
21 Dec 1910 at Berkswell  
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1884 - Berkswell 1891 - Scholar
1891 - Windmill Lane, Berkswell 1901 - Farm labourer
1901 - Windmill Lane, Berkswell 1911 - Bricklayers Labourer
1911 - Toll Gate House, Redfern Lane, Berkswell 1913 - Stoker in Royal Navy 
1916 - Byfield Place, Berkswell  
   

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