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South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 7222 Thomas DEAN - 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards


Killed in Action on Monday, September 14th 1914 aged 26


Military History

     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France and Flanders 1914 Star & Clasp, British War & Victory Medals La-Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
14 Aug 1914 at Havre, France ~ Warwick (Eleanor Cross) War Memorial
    Warwick St. Pauls
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed Date and Place Enlisted  
First Battle of the Aisne 19 Apr 1907 at Warwick  
     
Place of Death Date and Place Mobilised Other War Memorials
near Cerny, River Aisne 5 Aug 1914  
     

Circumstances of Death

Thomas is listed as being killed in action on 14 Sep 1914 during the Battle of the Aisne however he was originally reported as missing, as evidenced by a letter sent to the Red Cross by his mother who enquired as to whether he had been taken prisoner.

The war diary contains a report on operations and sketch map covering the events of the 14th and is transcribed below.

Report on Operations

1st Bn COLDSTREAM GDS
Sept 14th 1914

On the morning of Sept 14th after bivouacking near Paissy the Bn was ordered to form the Advance Guard to 1st Brigade marching by Moulin & Vendresse on Cerny at 6.45am. Upon reaching Vendresse we found the 2nd brigade outposts engaged with the enemy, after passing Vendresse at Pt. A on map the Bn was ordered by Brigadier to move through woods onto high ground and move northwards along the Ridge towards Cerny. The Bn deployed with Nos 4 & 1 Coy in firing line and 2 & 3 Coys in support, upon reaching the high ground we came under rifle fire from the direction of the factory and West of it.

The 2 Coys in support was soon brought into the firing line and the centre of the Bn was directed on the factory with the Cameron Highlanders on our left. We then came under a very heavy rifle and shell fire and the sunken road at the factory was reached by short rushes with considerable loss.

The Bn from this point became divided No 3 Coy & part of No 2 Coy under Maj. L Hamilton crossed the sunken road and swung round northwards to the Chemin des Dames where they prolonged the right of a Coy of 4th Bn K.R.R under Major Jelt (see map position B).

Here they remained fighting throughout the day although on occasions owing to retirement of our line W factory they were forced to retire to position C by high bank. At dusk under orders of the Brigadier this portion of the Bn was ordered to withdraw and reorganise at Pt. D. The other portion of the Bn numbering about 150 composed of Nos 2 & 4 Coys under Lt Col J. Ponsonby became divided from the reminder at the factory which was originally occupied by the M Gun section of the R Sussex.

When the chimney fell this party pushed forward under very severe shellfire to a sunken road running N into Cerny which was found to be unoccupied. Maj Grant was ordered to go round E side of village, while Col Ponsonby push through with the remainder but touch was lost and never regained. Major Grant eventually rejoining Major Hamilton's party. (6pm).

When Col Ponsonby’s party reach the N edge of the village 3 Coys of German Infantry were seen on the ridge ½ mile N.E of village & other Germans on the ridge N.W of village. Col Ponsonby & his party pushed on & 6 M Gun limbers were surprised, the horses of 4 of which were shot.

They afterwards pushed onto a small plantation (shown on sketch of Capt Warde-Aldam’s?) which was reached about 10.15am where the Colonel was wounded, the party then remained hidden till midnight when the rejoined as shown on the sketch.

(The report of Col Ponsonby’s party was taken from Capt Warde-Aldam who was present with the Col from early in the morning.

N of Troyon 29.9.14.

Sketch Map

1st Bn Coldstream sketch map sep 1914

Casualties from War Diary

Killed 11 Other Ranks
Wounded 10 Officers. 180 Other Ranks
Missing 1 Officer.  160 Other Ranks



 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
Jul Qtr 1888 at Warwick  
   
Parents Names Abode
William (deceased) and Eliza Dean 24 Parkes Street, Warwick
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1888 1906 - Labourer  
1891 - 9 Lammas Walk, Saltisford 1907 - Soldier in Coldstream Guards
1901 - 4 Union Buildings, Linen Street, Warwick 1911 - Army Pensioner/Labourer 
1911 - 24 Park Street, Warwick  
1914 - 24 Parkes Street, Warwick