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 | Campaign Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| France and Flanders | British War & Victory Medals | Thiepval Memorial |
| Arrived in Theatre | Bravery & Conduct Medals | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| After 1 January 1916 in France | ~ | Leamington Spa War Memorial |
| Leamington St. Paul's Memorial | ||
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Died | Date and Place Enlisted | |
| Battle of the Somme (Le Transloy) | After 7 October 1915 in Leamington Spa | |
| Other War Memorials | ||
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | Northampton War Memorial |
| E of Gueudecourt (see map below) | ~ | |
Circumstances of Death
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Albert is listed as being killed in action on 7 Oct 1916. The 6th Battalion History of the Attack and the war diary entries for the 8th and 9th Oct 1916 are transcribed below. Report of the Actions of the 6th Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry - From the Battalion War Diary
By Major J. E. Osborne, Commanding the Battalion. [Ref. Map Sheet 57 c. S.W.] - Transcribed by The Lightbobs website On the 7th October zero hour was 1.45 p.m., when, in accordance with 60th Brigade Operation Orders, the Battalion left its trenches and attacked Rainbow Trench their 1st Objective [Blue Pin Marker on map], which runs from about N.28.a.1.4 to about N.28.c.1 ½ .1 ½ [Red Line on map]. The leading waves moved out of the British line close up to our barrage, arrived at the German barbed wire (about 40 yards in front of our trench), and lay down.
The enemy had manned his parapet some 60 yards to our front, and was delivering a very hot fire from 6 machine-guns and from rifles, to which our troops replied. Shortly afterwards the advance began again; some men were able to crawl through the wire; others were able to move round through the gaps; others, by placing their feet on the top strand of the wire, were able to get through. The wire obstacle was one single length of barbed concertina wire, extending along the whole of the frontage of the Battalion's left company. It was about 2 ½ feet high, and appeared more of an alarming obstacle than it actually was.
During the period zero to zero + 4 minutes the enemy's machine-gun fire was very intense, but at the latter time it was silenced. The enemy then left their trenches unarmed, and ran back towards their second line. During their retreat our Lewis-guns did considerable damage to them; large numbers were seen to fall, and few Germans got back, those remaining in their front line being bayoneted or captured. The advance from the first German line to the second, a point about N.22.c.8.2. to N.28.b.7.1.[Green Line in Map] was accomplished with comparatively little loss, although some casualties occurred from snipers on our extreme right, who took advantage of that flank being temporarily in the air. Shortly afterwards a portion of the Division on our right pushed forward their attack and commenced digging in; thus, by joining up with our troops, they made our extreme right secure. The consolidation of this position was at once commenced, our troops having reached their final objective. This attack was launched in conjunction with the 56th Division on our right and the 12th Division attacking on our left. The Battalion lost most of its officers early in the attack; the Company 'Commanders of A, B, and C were killed, and D Company Commander was severely wounded. The casualties amounted to 13 officers and 230 other ranks. 8th October 1916: Consolidating new position captured the previous day. 9.00pm - Relived by 2nd Battn Yorks & Lancs Regt. 12 MN - Relief completed, on relief Battn marched to Bernafray Wood and halted for breakfast. 9th October 1916: 9am Battalion paraded and proceeded by Route march to Camp at Sandpits on the Bray-Albert Road point about E.24.d Sheet Albert. Distance about 6 miles. 2.15pm - Arrived at Camp. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| 06 May 1886 in Northampton | 13 Jun 1886 at Northampton, St Edmund |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Charles and Sophia Mary Wayne | 4 Oswald Street, Leamington Spa |
| Wife | Marriage Details |
| Mary Florence Wayne nee Allen | 8 May 1910 at Northampton St. Paul |
| Schools | Colleges |
| St Giles' School, Northampton - 1894 | ~ |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1886 - 21 Victoria Road, Northampton | 1892 - School age |
| 1891 - 21 Victoria Road, Northampton | 1901 - Messenger for L&NE Railway |
| 1901 - 21 Victoria Road, Northampton | 1910 - French Polisher |
| 1910 - 90 Baker Street, Northampton | 1911 - French Polisher in Coach Trade |
| 1911 - 37 Raglan Street, Coventry | 1914 - French Polisher |
| 1918 - 16 Upper Mounts, Northampton | |

