South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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 The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 21918 William Bateman WATKIN - 16th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment


Killed in Action on Tuesday 9th October 1917 aged 36


Military History

     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France and Flanders British War & Victory Medals Tyne Cot Memorial
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
After November 1916 ~ Lillington  |  Leamington Spa
     
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed Date and Place Enlisted Other War Memorials
Battle of Poelcappelle After 10 Oct 1916 at Warwick  
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units  
north of Gheluvelt ~  
     

Name Difference

The name on the memorial is Frederick Watkin and date of death given as 24 Oct 1917, however we are unable to find any person named Watkin killed on that day and we believe that the memorial contains an error and that William is the man remembered on it.

Circumstances Leading to Death (Normally from War Diary)           

On the 9th October 1917 the battalion began fresh attacks in the area of Polderhoek Chateau and Woods to the north of Gheluvelt. Almost as soon as the attack began the battlalion were forced to retire after suffering heavy casualties from heavy artillery and machine gun fire. The war diary tells us that the men of the battalion had not had a hot meal for 5 days, were soaking wet due to constant rain and had very litte rest or sleep as well as taking part in heavy fighting.

William was killed during the attack.


 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
7 Aug 1880 at Leamington 9 Jan 1881 - Whitnash
   
Parents Names Abode
William Bateman Watkin and Annie Maria Watkin  23 Manor Road, Lillington                                
   
Wife & Marriage Date/Place Children & Year of Birth
Alice Mary Watkin nee Cook Joseph William born 1911
16 Jul 1905 at Leamington Priors  
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1881 - 5 George Street, Leamington 1891 - Scholar
1891 - Lodge Road, Knowle 1901 - Butchers Assistant
1901 - 12 Northcote Street, Leamington Priors 1905 - Journeyman Butcher
1905 - 12 Northcote Street, Leamington Priors 1911 - Butcher
1911 - 15 Cubbington Road, Lillington  
1916 - 5 South View Terrace, New Cubbington