South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project
The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One |
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Military History |
| Theatre of War | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
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| France & Flanders | 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals | Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 2 May 1915 in France | ~ | Dorridge, St. Philip's |
| Knowle, Downing Hall | ||
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Enlisted | Knowle War Memorial |
| Second Battle of Ypres | On or after 5th August 1914 in Warwick | Knowle Soldiers Chapel |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | Other War Memorials |
| Wieljte Farm, Ypres | ~ | ~ |
Circumstances of Death
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William is listed as being killed as a result of being poisoned by gas on the 9th May 1915. The brief 1st Battalion war diary entry for the 8th, overnight on 8th/9th and 9th/10th are transcribed below:-
8th May 1915 - Wieljte Farm - C.29.c: Received orders to hold ourselves in readiness to move at short notice. 11.30am. Orders received to move at 3.30pm. Regiment and R. Dub Fus left at 4.15pm to up in support of 84th Brigade. Attached Orders received at 4.30pm for the attack. Marched via Bridge 1a and by brook to Potijze Chateau, got into attack formation behind Wood and debauched through the G.H.Q wire at 7.30pm and advanced to Farm C.29.c where the situation was relieved.
G.O.C's orders were to attack at all costs - Line advanced A&B Coy in front at 1.15am [9th May]. At 1.40am orders were received "Attack Cancelled". Regiment fell back and occupied line at Farm C.29.c, the Switch. Major J.C. Lancaster missing Lt R.A.T Miller wounded.
Draft of Capt. G.H.U. Miller and 189 men arrived.
9th May 1915 - Wieljte Farm - C.29.c: Quiet morning. At 2pm very heavy bombardment of front trenches lasting till 6pm. Part of line where no trench was fell back and reformed in Wood behind. C & D Coys held on and the line was fully re-occupied at dusk and strengthened. Our line was taken over by the Welch Regt at midnight. We took over the Welch Regt's line in the G.H.Q trench.
10th May 1915 - Wieljte Farm - C.29.c: Improved and cleaned up trenches, got settled in by 4am [10th]. Heavily shelled during day especially C Coy on the left of the line. Casualties 3 killed and 4 wounded.
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| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
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| c 1889 in Knowle | |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| George (died 1907) and Eliza Smitten | Poplar Road, Dorridge |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1889 - Knowle | 1901 - School age |
| 1891 - Malthouse Row, Knowle | 1911 - Farm Labourer |
| 1901 - Hampton Lane, Knowle | |
| 1911 - Poplar Road, Dorridge | |
| 1914 - Knowle | |
- We have not yet been able to find William's birth record or his address in 1914
