South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Gunner 121286 Charles Richard SEWELL  - 323rd Siege Battery, 42nd Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery


Killed in Action on Thursday 18th April 1918 aged 39


Military History

     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France and Flanders British War & Victory Medals Gonnehem British Cemetery
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
1 July 1917 in France ~ New Milverton  |  Leamington Spa
     
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed Date and Place Mobilised Other War Memorials
Battle of the Lys (German Spring Offensive 5 Oct 1916 at Warwick  
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units  
near Bas Rieux    
     

Circumstances of Death

Charles is listed as being killed in action on 18 Apr 1918. The war diary reveals that the 323rd Battery positions were shelled by the enemy on that day. The 42nd Brigade war diary entry for 323rd Battery covering the period 9th to 30th April is fully transcribed below:

323rd Siege Battery – 9th to 30th April 1918 - Bde HQ at Bas Rieux

9th April 1918 – Enemy put a heavy barrage of H.E. [High Explosive] on gas shell on Battery position and approaches, on morning of 9th April, and at 9.15pm on that date guns were withdrawn to position W of Hinges at W.8.d.8.3

10th April– Battery fired 1059 rounds during 24 hours as well as occupied 3 different positions.

12th April - Battery moved to Vendin Les Bethune (W26.b.30.25) & fired 1000 rounds on that date.

18th April – Battery position was heavily shelled again on 18th instant.

26th April – 2 guns moved to position at V.16.c.10.85.

Casualties during the month were:- 10 Officers wounded (one twice), 4 O.Rs killed and 51 O.R. wounded.


 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
Oct Qtr 1878 at New Milverton 06 Oct 1878 at New Milverton
   
Parents Names Abode
William Richard and Mary Sewell 9 Cross Road, New Milverton 
   
Wife and Marriage Details Children
Rachel Sewell nee Mills Elizabeth born 29 Dec 1903  |  George 14 Oct 1905
10 Oct 1902 at Long Itchington Constance born 5 Oct 1909
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1878 - 8 Gunnery Terrace, New Milverton 1891 - Scholar
1881 - 8 Gunnery Terrace, New Milverton 1901 - Coachman
1891 - 9 Cross Road, New Milverton 1902 - Coachman
1901 - 9 Cross Road, New Milverton 1911 - Cab Driver
1911 - 5 Cross Road, New Milverton 1916 - Cab Driver 
1916 - 5 Cross Road, New Milverton