South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

WW1_Logo.jpeg

The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 28656 William Christopher ECCLES - 1st/6th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment


Killed in Action on Thursday 4th October 1917 aged 32


Military History

     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders British War & Victory Medals Tyne Cot Memorial
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
After 1 November 1916 ~ Bilton War Memorial
     
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed Date and Place Enlisted Other War Memorials
Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) On or after 5th Oct 1916 in Coventry  
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units  
near Poelecapelle   ~  
     

Circumstances of Death

William is listed as being killed in action on 4th October 1917. The 1st/6th Battalion war diary entries for the period 1st to 5th October are transcribed below.

Dambre Camp - 1 Oct 1917: C O, 2nd i/c, Coy Co’s went forward & reconnoitred positions for the attack. The night of 1st/2nd, 2i/c taped out assembly positions

Dambre Camp - 2 Oct 1917: Left Dambre Camp at 4.30pm for the Canal Bank, night of 2nd/3rd Platoon Co’s, Platoon Sgt’s reconnoitred assembly trenches. The following officers were wounded Lt Gassett, 2/Lt Box & 2/Lt Green also 3 Platoon Sgts.

Canal Bank – 3 Oct 1917: 5.30pm of the 3rd moved up & relieved 4th O&BLI in the line.

Assembly Trenches 4 Oct 1917: At 5am attacked, attack was extremely successful, all objectives being taken except Bulus House & Vacher Farm. Estimated prisoners captured 350, MG’s 10, anti-tank gun 2.

Casualties:
Killed: Officers 5 Other Ranks 28
Missing: Officers 1  Other Ranks 32
Wounded: Officers 5 Other Ranks 153

Captured Positions – 5 Oct 1917: Held new line.



 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
15 Jul 1885 in Hinckley, Leics 29 Jul 1885 in Hinckley
   
Parents Names Abode
Robert Thomas and Elizabeth Harriet Both deceased
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1885 - Hinckley, Leics 1901 - Domestic Gardener
1891 - 30 Chapel Street, Rugby (with mother) 1911 - Compositor
1901 - Bilton, Rugby (with grandparents) 1916 - Assistant Storekeeper                 
1911 - North View, Bilton (with aunt)  
1916 - 16 Mansel Road, Coventry  
1917 - North View, Old Bilton  
   
  •  Next of kin named as Mrs. Emily Jane Watts of North View, Old Bilton