Military History

William was killed in action on 15th September 1916 during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, part of the wider Battle of the Somme. The 7th Battalion war diary entries for the period 14th to 17th September are transcribed below.

Montauban – 14 Sep 1916: At 11.45am Battalion moved up to Delville Wood & took up it positions in artillery formation in the front of the wood at 1am. Details & 1^st line transport moved forward to Montauban.

2/Lt G.L. Speckley joined Bn.

Montauban – 15 Sep 1916 – 1am: Battalion in artillery formation near the front edge of Delville Wood, 7 R.B on the right, 41^st Div on the left. At zero, 6.20am, the 8^th K R R & 7^th R B on the right left their trenches just in front of Delville Wood – Brown Street & Green Street. These were at once occupied by the Battalion which did not stop there but following the 8^th K R R. On arrival at the Switch Trench, which was taken by the two 8^th Bns, the 7^th K R R and & the 7^th R B passed through them and attacked and occupied the Gap Trench & proceeded to consolidate.

“Tanks” which were used for the first time came up on the Bn’s right flank. After a short time the “tanks” continued to advance and the 42^nd Infantry Brigade passed through us but were unable to take their objective owing to M.G. fire from both flanks.

Flers on our left flank was not occupied till the afternoon. There was some confusion in the trenches owing to some of the 42^nd I B coming back into our line and many of the 7 K R R going forward with the 42^nd I B. Heavy shelling continued all day.

At dusk the 43^rd I B relieved the 42^nd I B and 7^th K R R & 7^th R B who occupied Green & Brown Streets E of Delville Wood where they remained until the following evening [16^th] being shelled the whole time.

Delville Wood – 16 Sep 1916: At 7pm orders were received to retire to the transport camp at Fricourt with permission to bivouac on the way.

Casualties for two days [15^th & 16^th]: 12 Officers and Medical Officer. OR Killed 21; wounded 189; missing 120. Great gallantry was shown by all ranks.

The following officers were wounded: Major Paget;  Capt’s Bland & de Satge; 2/Lt’s Romer; Midlane; Palmer; Brewster; Lamb; Edwards; Blackbourne; Speckley. Capt & Adjt St. Aubyn, Capt Morrison R.A.M.C

Draft of 16 OR joined the Bn.

Dernancourt – 17 Sep 1916: 3pm Bn marched to Dernancourt & billetted