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 & Flanders | 1914 Star, British War & Victory Medals | Essex Farm Cemetery, Ypres |
| Arrived in Theatre | Bravery & Conduct Medals | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 9 Nov 1914 in France | ~ | Leamington Spa War Memorial |
| Leamington All Saints Memorial | ||
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Died | Date and Place Enlisted | Leamington Mission Church Memorial |
| Battle of the Somme | 1913/14 in Warwick | |
| Place of Death | Service (5183) Number Issue Date | Previous Regiments or Units |
| Canal Bank near Ypres | 4960 issued on 14th January 1913 | 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade |
| 5363 issued on 4th February 1914 |
Circumstances of Death
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John is listed as being killed in action on 9th August 1916 and the war diary reveals that he died during a Phosgene Gas attack by the enemy. The war diary entries for the period 8th to 10th August are transcribed below. Canal Bank, Ypres – 8 Aug 1916: On Canal Bank, relieved Som L I in front line trenches night 8/9[th] Trenches Canal Bank, Ypres – 8 Aug 1916: Germans delivered Gas Attack on Battalion front while relief was in progress, particularly some opposite right Coy A. The trenches were crowded with men of both Som L I & Rifle Brigade. Casualties reported by morning of 9th about 120 of whom 50 dead. 2/Lts Haldane, Weill, Doyle (died of gas). 2/Lts Handford (died of wounds), Captain Norbury, 2/Lts Hill, Golding, Benton (wounded by gas). 2/Lt F Barnes wounded. Phosgene Gas used by Germans. Trenches Canal Bank, Ypres – 8 Aug 1916: Relieved by 2nd Seaforth Highlanders. Motor lorries provided to bring troops back at B.14.b.2.6. Companies did not reach Camp D in A30 till 5am. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| 16 Mar 1891 in Leamington Spa | 29 Jul 1891 at Leamington All Saints |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Catherine Anne Lane - Stepfather Thomas May | 3 Park Place, Park Street, Leamington Spa |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1891 - 7 Russell Street, Leamington Spa | 1901 - School age |
| 1901 - Poplars, Napton on the Hill | 1911 - Tailors Porters |
| 1911 - 43 Park Street, Leamington Spa | |
| 1916 - 3 Park Place, Park Street, Leamington Spa | |
- John was born in March 1891 and neither his birth or baptism certificates record the name of his father.
- On his birth certificate John's mother Catherine Anne is shown to be a Domestic Servant living at 7 Russell Street, Leamington Spa
- Catherine, married Thomas May on 22 May 1892 and John took the last name May in the 1901 & 1911 census
