South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 202344 Clarence Charles Albert Arthur Edward CAPERS - 15th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment


Killed in Action on Friday 26th October 1917 aged 18


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 1 Nov 1916 ~ Warwick (Eleanor Cross) War Memorial
    Warwick St. Nicholas
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed Date and Place Enlisted  
Second Battle of Passchendaele October 1916  
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units Other War Memorials
Bedford House nr Ypres  ~ ~
     

Circumstances of Death

Clarence is listed as being killed on 26 Oct 1917 and the 15th Battalion war diary entry for that day is transcribed below:

In Action – Bedford House – 26/10/1917 -12.30am
: All companies report in assembly area. Watches re-synchronized.
 

The attack carried out with Companies in waves in depth on a one platoon front – C Coy leading A Coy in immediate rear of C and D Coy in immediate rear of A. B Coy in reserve.

The front of C Coy is to remain unchanged. The ground on the left between C Coy and the Reutelbeek is boggy and impassable but as far as the ground permits A Coy on a one Platoon front are to come up as soon as possible on the left of C and make good a portion of the objectives.

At Zero all Companies got well away and casualties were few until C Coy reached the clearing to the north of the Chateau [see map] where machine gun fire was encountered from the Chateau causing considerable casualties including all C Coy’s officers.

The Chateau, the objective of 14 / R War R, offered considerable resistance. D Coy cooperated with 14 / R War R and with the aid of a Lewis Gun team and a Bombing Party  from B Company succeeded in capturing the Chateau and the advance continued to the Blue objective whicvh was reached according to programme and A C & D Coys commenced to consolidate with B Coy in close support.

About 8am the enemy were seen massing for a counter attack and at 8.15am the counter attack was easily repulsed by Machine Gun, Lewis Gun and Rifle fire. At 10am the enemy massed again and continued to advance.

10.30am: Communication or connection with our right could not be established. The dispositions as far as possible with Lewis Guns guarding our right flank were made but by 10.45am the position became critical owing to the enemy advancing and encircling our right flank and to the fact that owing to the conditions of mud all Lewis Guns and Brigade Machine Guns and all but very few rifles had become out of action. Casualties became heavy and a withdrawal was endeavored, engaging the enemy and our original front line was successfully reached.

Supports consisted of about 30 men from 2/KOSB called for came up about 12.30pm. Shelling was very intense and the conditions indescribable, men sinking waist deep in the going.

27/10/1917 – 1.25am: 15 / R War R relieved by 1 / Bedfordshire Regt in the front line and 15 / R War R withdraw to Bedford House. Resting at Bedford house. Casualties:

Officers:             Wounded 6, Wounded and missing 1
Other Ranks:     Killed 31, Wounded 113, Wounded and Missing 1, Missing 47



 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
Oct Qtr 1898 in Warwick 27 Nov 1898 at Warwick, St. Nicholas
   
Parents Names Abode
Charles Thomas and Harriet Emma Capers  11 Coten End, Warwick
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1898 - Coten End 1911 - School
1901 - 11 Coten End, Warwick 1914 - Nelson Dale & Co
1911 - 11 Coten End, Warwick  
1915 - 11 Coten End, Warwick