South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project |
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Military History |
| Theatre of War | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| France and Flanders | British War & Victory Medals | Arras Memorial |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| After Oct 1916 | ~ | Radford Semele |
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Enlisted | Other War Memorials |
| Battle of Arras (Battle of the Scarpe) | cir Oct/Nov 1916 at Warwick | |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | |
| Arras | ||
Circumstances Leading to Death (Normally from War Diary)
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Archibald is listed as being killed in action on 11 Apr 1917, during the Battle of Arras, and the war diary for that day is transcribed below. Les Fosses Farm - 11.4.1917 - 3am: Battn ordered to become the leading right battalion in attack on high ground between Monchy le Preux and Guemappe. Bttn crossed to north of Cambrai Rd. In artillery formation oh short orders in rear of Les Fosses Farm. After reforming along a chalk trace at N.12.a (left) Battn advanced and occupied position about 50 yards east of and parallel to Monchy le Preux – Le Bergere Road covering A frontage of about 450 yards, the right resting on Cambrai Road. Battn HQ moved to Les Fosses Farm. About 3:30 PM enemy counterattacked in strength after heavy artillery preparation but was everywhere Repost with heavy losses. Outposts were put out and position consolidated. Enemy snipers and M.G’s remained very active throughout the rest of the day. During operations on this day two German heavy howitzers (8”) well taken South of Les Fosses Farm. The following officers were casualties: 2 Lt J W Alabaster, Lieut F S Hayman A Coy, 2 Lt N.C. Leeson A Coy all wounded and 2 Lt R W Thorogood while on his way up to reinforce B Coy what's slightly wounded in the leg just outside Arras. The Battn was relieved by the 11th Royal Sussex Regt and marched back to Tilloy where they remained in Cellars and dugouts till the morning of the 12th. END |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
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| 4 Aug 1882 at Selly Oak | 1 Oct 1882 at Selly Oak |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| James (deceased) and Jane Ellen Wilkes | Freemans Cottages, Radford Semele |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1883 - Selly Oak | 1891 - Scholar |
| 1891 - 65 Payton Road, Handsworth (boarder) | 1901 - Grocers Porter |
| 1901 - 16 Waterloo Street, Leamington Priors | 1911 - Grocers Porter |
| 1911 - 53 Waterloo Street, Leamington | |
| 1915 - Freemans Cottages, Radford Semele | |
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A newspaper article in the Kenilworth Advertiser on Saturday January 27th 1917 is transcribed below: "Private Archibald James Wilkes, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, of Radford, was charged with being an absentee from the army. He pleaded guilty and said he attested at Warwick about two months ago. P.C. Hall said he had instructions to arrest Wilkes, and on Tuesday night visited the House of the prisoner's mother. Wilkes said “I ought to have gone back on Saturday, but I shall go when I like” adding I shall not go with you or any other _”. Witness tried to coax him but it was of no avail and when he proceeded towards the prisoner he jumped up and struck at him with his fist. Witness guarded off the blow and took hold of Wilkes by the throat he then picked up a chair and threatened to “bash his brains out”. They struggled for a few minutes and then assistance arrived when handcuffed the prisoner said “let me get on my legs, and I'll kick your brains out”. He refused to walk and had to be conveyed to the police station in a vehicle. He told witness he hated the army. In ordering the man to await an escort the Chairman said “your conduct has been most disgraceful”. END Archibald was killed less then three months later. |
