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 |
|---|---|---|
| France & Flanders | 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals | Tyne Cot Memorial |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 23 Mar 1915 in Havre, France | ~ | Kenilworth War Memorial |
| Kenilworth St. John's | ||
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Enlisted | Kenilworth St. Nicholas |
| Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) | November 1914 in Coventry | Leamington Spa War Memorial |
| Leamington All Saints | ||
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | |
| near Fampoux | ~ | |
Circumstances of Death
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John is listed as being killed in action on 4th October 1917 and is said to have been shot by a sniper. The 1st/7th Battalion war diary for the period 1st to 5th October is transcribed below. Those wishing to map the places indicated by the map references should click here and add 28. to the beginning of reference i.e. 28.V.25.c.9.3 1st to 3rd October 1917Dambre Camp – 1st Oct 1917: The Bn had arrived in camp the previous evening. Day was spent in making final inspections. C.O & 2nd in Command and two officers from each Coy went up to reconnoitre assembly positions. Weather fine. Dambre Camp – 2nd Oct 1917: Moved into shelters in Canal Bank near Bridge 2a. Weather fine. NE of Ypres – 3rd Oct 1917: Battle stores were drawn and issued during the morning. At 6pm head of Battalion passed Bridge 2a and moved up to Mon di Hibou via the trench board track past Alberta. At Hibou guides from 1/1 Bucks Regt met Coys and led them past Flora Cot to assembly positions. No difficultly was experienced during this operation. Four casualties only were suffered. The night was very suitable, a bright moon being overcast with clouds leaving sufficient light to see quite well without making movement visible to the enemy. The Battalion was in position on a taped line of shell holes, laid out by Capt. Bushill by 12.30 midnight. The positions were as follows:
4th October 1917NE of Ypres – 4 Oct 1917: Remainder of the night was quiet. At 5.30am the enemy put down a heavy barrage on and about the Langemarck Line. At 6.00am our barrage came down and the attack commenced C & D Coys attacking the first objective a line from V.25.g.9.1 to V.2.c.4.1 and including Tweed House. C Coy on the right experienced great difficultly on account of bad ground, numerous shell holes and very wet. At about D.2.a.7.1 their right was held up by a machine gun. Here Capt. Corall was killed and the Coy sustained many casualties. The left pushed on, 2/Lt Nicholls assuming command of the Coy. The left support Platoon was put out to form a defensive flank and deal with the M.G. holding up the right, after about half an hours fighting the M.G. was captured and the enemy either killed or captured. The Coy then pushed on again capturing 10 prisoners about V.26.c.9.3. It was difficult to locate their position accurately and the company found they had reached the Cemetery. Finding they were in our own barrage they withdrew to a line V.26.c.4.8 to V.26.c.7.2 which they consolidated. D Coy on the left advanced well without much opposition at first. They then were held up by a M.G at Tweed House. Both gun and team were captured. The Coy pushed on again to its objective and seized it and consolidated a line from V.26.a.2.2 to V.26.c.3.8 joining with C Coy on the right and the 9th Lancs Fus on the left. 2/Lt Brant was wounded in this operation. The remaining two Coys A & B, who were to attack the second objective, kept as well up to the barrage as possible without becoming involved in the fighting for the first objectives. B Coy on the right pushed forward to a line about V.26.b.1.3 along the front edge of the road and far side of the Cemetery, taking a few prisoners. They found that this line could not be held, both flanks were in the air and the protective barrage had settled on the Cemetery. They therefore withdrew to a line V.2.c.9.8 to V.26.d.8.7 linking up with the 6th Bn R War R on the right at V.26.c.9.3. A Coy on the left pushed forward close after the barrage captured Terrier Farm and then advanced to a line from V.26.a.9.8 to V.26.g.1.1 meeting with strong enemy resistance at V.26.g.1.3. A party of men attacked this point and captured one Officer and about 50 other ranks. This company also pushed on too far and got into the protective barrage so withdrew to a line V.26.a.7.5 through County Cross Roads to V.26.c.9.5 linking up with the 9th Lancs Fus on the left and B Coy on the right. A large enemy party joined up near Gloster House and counter attacked. This was met and completely broken up by our Lewis Gun and rifle fire. Three small counter attacks started from Beek House but they were all dispersed by our fire. Two other attacks started from V.26.a.7.6 were also smashed. Two Vickers M. Guns were got into position near Tweed House where they could sweep the whole of our fronts. Advanced Bn HQ were established at Tweed House. 5th October 1917NE of Ypres – 5 Oct 1917: Rain fell during the day and the weather became very cold. No enemy attack took place but his shelling was very severe at times. Sniping was active on both sides. The enemy firing continually from Beek House. At night a dry change of socks was got up together with rations. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| Jul Qtr 1884 in Offchurch | |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Henry and Annie Bradshaw | Both deceased? |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1885 - Offchurch | 1891 - School age |
| 1891 - Village Farm, Welch Road, Offchurch | 1901 - Fine arts apprentice |
| 1901 - 4 Forfield Place, Leamington Priors |
1911 - Travelling salesman |
| 1911 - Sunnyside, Lower Ladys Hills, Kenilworth | 1915 - Working in the Fine Arts |
| 1917 - Warwick Road, Kenilworth | |
- Next of kin was brother William Henry Bradshaw
- Leading Chorister at Leamington Spa All Saints Church
