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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 2338 Edgar Charles FROST - 23rd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment


Died of Wounds on Thursday, October 5th 1916 aged 21


Military History

     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders British War & Victory Medals Heilly Station Cemetery
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
3 May 1916 in France ~ Hockley Heath Church
    Hockley Heath War Memorial
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed Date and Place Enlisted St. Giles Church, Packwood
Battle of the Somme 17 November 1915 in Birmingham Umberslade Baptist Church 
    Elmdon St Leonard's Churchyard
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units  
No 36 CCS at Mericourt-l'Abbe ~ Other War Memorials 
    Solihull War Memorial 

Circumstances of Death

Edgar is listed as dying of wounds received in action on 5th October 1916. His service record states that he was wounded by a gunshot wound to the abdomen on 15 Sep 1916 and was admitted to the No 36 Casualty Clearing Station in Mericourt-l'Abbe where he died of those wounds on the 5th October 1916.

The 23rd Battalion War Diary entries for the 14th to 16th September 1916 are transcribed below.

Montauban - Sept 14th 1916: 11pm – Battn left Montauban via Milk Lane for Carlton and Savoy trenches / Assembly. 1 OR evacuated sick, 2nd Lt E.H.L Sanders left for R.F. Corps.

Carlton/Savoy Trenches - Sept 15th 1916: 1am: Assembly complete. 12rd Brigade in reserve of 41st Division

6.20am: Zero – attack launched, 124th Brigade on right, 122nd Brigade on left – tanks leading.

10.00am: Bde moved forward to left of Flers Road on line of our previous position in Delville Wood avoiding barrages several times

Midday: Left trenches for German Switch Trench – heavy shelling. Adjt casualty, B & D on right of Flers Road, C & A on left. Enemy opened heavy shelling.

3.15pm: Advanced up right of Flers Road and along right of Flers Wood

4.30pm: B & D leading with C.O. A & C behind.

5pm: C.O. Casualty. O.C. A Coy ordered by Brid General Clemson G.O.C 12th Bde that the strong point N of Flers Wood known as Hogs Back must be held at all cost. At NE corner of Flers O.C. A Coy met survivors of attack, about 250 men of various regiments.

5.30pm: They were rallied and Hogs Back re-occupied with the help of B & D Coys.

6.45pm: Ordered by Col Oakley (O.C. 10th Queens, 124 Bde) to retire into line E of Flers at nightfall as the enemy was coming round the right flank.

7.30pm: Took 5 prisoners. Retired onto line stated. O.C. A Coy (in Command of Battn) handed over to Major Beatty (10th R.W. Kents). Held on during night.

Line E of Flers – Sept 16th 1916: Heavy enfilade shell fire from dawn to midday and then at intervals.

6pm: Reported position to Bde and asked for instructions and rations. Was ordered by Bde to retire to Switch Trench at night.

Casualties:
Officers:- 2 killed, 8 wounded and 1 died of wounds.
Other Ranks: 22 killed, 129 wounded and 32 missing



 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
Oct Qtr 1895 in Solihull  
   
Parents Names Abode
Abraham Charles & Mary Ann Thomas Frost  Bentley Heath, Knowle                              
 
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1895 - Solihull 1901 - School age
1901 - Lugtrout Lane, Hampton-in-Arden 1911 - Timber labourer
1911 - Aylesbury Cottage, Hockley Heath 1915 - Baker
1915 - Aylesbury Cottage, Hockley Heath  
1916 - The Cottage, Packwood House, Hockley