South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 11688 John Robert William Christopher CLARKSON - 6th Battalion, Shropshire Light Infantry


Died of wounds on Saturday 7th October 1916 aged 20


Military History

     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France and Flanders 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
25 Jul 1915 in France ~ New Milverton
     
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed Date and Place Enlisted Other War Memorials
Battle of the Somme October 1914 at Oswestry  
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units  
No 34 CCS at Grovetown, Somme ~  
     

Circumstances of Death

William was admitted, in an unconscious state, to the No 34 Casualty Clearing Station on 7 Oct 1916 and died later the same day. He was apparantly buried by earth from a shell explosion and although he was dug out alive by colleagues he later died at the CCS. The 6th Battalion war diary for that day is transcribed below.

Trenches - 7 Oct 1916: Steady bombardment of enemy lines opposite our front during morning. Hostile artillery retaliated and reserve trenches shelled heavily at intervals.

1.45pm – ZERO HOUR. Intense bombardment of enemy lines in preparation to attack by 6th Oxford & Bucks LI & 12th Rifle Brigade in conjunction with operations on right and left.

3.30pm. Objectives apparently reached and held. Firing slackened, several small batches of prisoners brought in.

6.15pm. Working party of 200 men provided for digging in new front line under RE.

Casualties One OR wounded [William]



 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
14 Jun 1896 at Leamington 06 Sep 1896 at Leamington Spa All Saints
   
Parents Names Abode
John William and Annie Clarkson  15 Waterloo Place, Warwick Street, Leamington
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1896 - St. Luke's Place Leamington 1911 - Dentists Errand Boy
1901 - 6 Grove Place, Leamington Priors 1913 - Cleaner for Great Western Railway (Birmingham)
1911 - 104 The Parade, Leamington  
1916 - 15 Waterloo Place, Warwick Street, Leamington