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 | Potijze Burial Ground Cemetery |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 25 Apr 1915 in Gallipoli | ~ | Stratford on Avon WW1 Memorial |
| Stratford Holy Trinity Church | ||
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Died | Date and Place Enlisted | |
| Battle of the Somme | 1907 in Aldershot | |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | Other War Memorials |
| Potijze, Ypres | ~ | ~ |
Circumstances of Death
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William is listed as being Killed in Action on the 9th August 1916. The 2nd Battalion war diary entries for the period 8th to 10th of August 1916 are transcribed below along with a newspaper obituary. Potijze, Ypres - 8.8.1916: On the night of the 8/9th the gas alarm was sounded by the horn on our left. The wind was from the NE and very light and as soon as the gas cloud was observed to be approaching our line the alarm was taken up and due precautions made. The cloud took about one hour to fall and came in two waves. During this time our supporting artillery opened a barrage of shrapnel fire and the enemy made no attempt to leave his trenches. The enemy at the same time opened a fairly heavy shrapnel fire on to our front line system and main communications. A few large howitzer shells being directed at our reserves. The gas seemed to be of a particularly deadly kind and penetrated a considerable distance, the effect being felt some distance in the rear. It was noticeable that the gas corroded any metal it came into contact with and killed many rats and birds. Casualties: 1 sick to hospital Potijze, Ypres - 9.8.1916: Early on the 9th it was found necessary to reinforce the firing line by 3 Platoons of Z Coy and 2 Lewis Guns in order to replace casualties caused by the gas. Casualties: Officer: 4 killed & 6 wounded. Other ranks: 125 killed & 100 wounded. Potijze, Ypres - 9/10.8.1916: On the night of 9/10th the Battalion was relieved by the 1st Essex Regiment. The relief was completed without any casualties and the Battalion went into Brigade Reserve in Ypres. Stratford Herald - Friday 1st September 1916 Official news has reached Stratford of the death of Sergeant C. Robinson of the 2nd Hampshire Regiment who was killed in action on August 9th. Robinson came to Stratford 18 months ago with the 2nd Hants and was married in June to Miss E. V. Colwell at the Parish Church. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| 20 Feb 1890 in Aldershot | 24 Jan 1910 in Aldershot |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Not found | Not found |
| Wife |
Marriage Details |
| Emily Violet Robinson nee Colwell | Jun Qtr 1916 in Stratford on Avon |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1889 - Not found | |
| 1901 - Not found | 1910 - Solider 2nd Bn Hampshire Regt |
| 1910 - 5 Bugleton Road, Aldershot | 1911 - Solider 2nd Bn Hampshire Regt |
| 1911 - Army Barracks, Lymburg, South Africa | |
| 1916 - 23 Ely Street, Stratford on Avon | |
- We have not found the birth record for William nor the names of his parents
- He was baptised in 1910 having joined the Army in 1907 - he gave the name & d.o.b above but did not include his fathers name
- He met his wife Emily when the 2nd Battalion were stationed in Stratford on Avon before leaving for France
