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 Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| France & Flanders | 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals | Thiepval Memorial |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 24 Jul 1915 in France | ~ | Kenilworth War Memorial |
| Kenilworth St. Barnabas | ||
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Enlisted | Kenilworth St. John |
| Battle of the Somme | 8 Sep 1914 in Warwick | Kenilworth St. Nicholas |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | Other War Memorials |
| Fricourt | ~ | |
Circumstances of Death
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Edward is listed as being killed in action on 10 Jul 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. The 8th Battalion war diary entries covering the period 9th to 11th July are transcribed below (please note that some of the handwriting was more difficult to read than normal). July 9th – 7.20pm: Orders given that Bn will take Quadrangle Support Trench 11.18pm. Quadrangle support trench taken with the burn it by the 8th South Staffordshire Regt in face of M.G & rifle fire and bombs. Lincoln's up Penil Alley make no headway but Bn almost by leaving the trench altogether gained about 100 yards but had many casualties. 50th Bde on right of S Staffords failed utterly the battalion was then exposed on its right and left. OC S Staffords never realised for one moment that Regt on right, after an initial attempt would be content to sit down and do nothing for the rest of the night. Germans started heavy counter attack with bombs from the right this was held off by B Coy under 2 Lieut Whitehead assisted by 2 Lieut S. Baker and T H Baker. Pioneer Coy which was to have built a firing point in Quadrangle support lost its way although within 500 yards of Quadrangle Trench and did not arrive until 2:30 PM. OC Staffords sent 6 separate runners to find it. MG’s from Contalmaison played heavily into the left rear of Quadrangle Support Trench. July 10th – 2.45am: owing to fire off troops on right and left the Bn would have been left in ? exposed on its right and left flanks & to MG fire from its left rear and the CO accordingly gave instructions to withdraw to Quadrangle Trench bringing all wounded men back. This was affected by 3.30am. Casualties were 16 officers and 200 OR’s. During day attack delivered by other Bn’s on Contalmaison and Mametz Wood. 10pm: Sherwoods occupied Quadrangle Support Trench which was no longer held. Fresh orders re relief, Capt Burnett sent up to supervise this. 11pm: Relief completed, Battn marches by Coys to Dernacourt July 11th - 2.15am: Rest there for the day. Casualties in above operations 25 officers and 320 other ranks. END |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| Jan Qtr 1891 in Kenilworth | |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Thomas (deceased) and Bessie (Elizabeth Whateley | Castle Green, Kenilworth |
| Wife and Marriage Details | Children |
| Millicent Jane Whateley nee Heritage | Harold Edward b 25 May 1914 |
| 25 Oct 1913 at Kenilworth St. Nicholas | |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1891 - Castle Green, Kenilworth | 1901 - School age |
| 1901 - Castle Green, Kenilworth | 1911 Farm Labourer |
| 1911 - The Chase, Kenilworth | 1913 - Farm Labourer |
| 1913 - Castle Green, Kenilworth | |
| 1916 - 18 Castle Green, Kenilworth | |
- Brother of Thomas William Whateley who also fell