South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project |
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1s |
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Military History |
| Theatre of War | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| France and Flanders | British War & Victory Medals | Arras Memorial |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| After 1 Jan 1916 | ~ | Alveston |
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Enlisted | Other War Memorials |
| German Spring Offensive | Sep/Oct 1914 at Worcester | Barbourne, Worcester |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | |
| Pte 235421 Worcestershire Yeomanry | ||
Circumstances of Death
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Thomas was listed as being wounded and missing but his death in action was finally accepted as being on 21 March 1918 the first day of the German Spring Offensive. Thomas's wife Mabel was still writing to the Red Cross in July 1918 seeking his whereabouts. Click here for the Red Cross Records. Because of the recorded casualties (see below) by the Battalion the war diary for both 21st and 22nd March 1918 is transcribed below. No soldiers were declared missing on the 21st. War Diary 21st MarchFavreuil Camp - 21 March 1918 - 5am: Heavy German bombardment of front system and back areas commenced. A few shells fell near Camp doing no damage 5.13am - Bnt had breakfasts and prepared to move 12 noon - Orders received to move to Fremicourt. On arrival at Fremicourt Bn ordered to take up a position astride the Bapaume - Cambrai Road east of Beugny. 6.15pm - Owing to reported breach of Corps Line about Vaulx Wood Bn was ordered to put one company into the Corps line E of Morchies with 2 companies to form a defensive flank from northern end of Morchies to Maricourt Wood. One company was ordered to remain in reserve with BN HQ in Sunken Road I.5.c. On arrival in Corps Line it was found to be full of troops of 6th Division so Coys were disposed on night 21st/22nd as follows A Coy (Co Comdr Lt F.G Elliot until killed in action 22.3.18 then 2 Lt W. Parker & subsequently 2 Lt E.W. Pickles) dug in on line I.5.a.5.7 to I.5.b.5.0. B Coy (Co Comdr Capt J.M. Lett until killed in action 22.3.18 then Lt D J ? until killed in action 22.3.18, then Capt E Lattey) dug in along Sunken Road from I.4.d.6.7 to I.5.c.3.8 D Coy (Co Comdr 2nd Lt W.V. Shaw) dug in along Sunken Road from I.5.c.4.8 to I.5.d.4.4 C Coy (Co Comdr Capt E.V. Parsons dug in from I.10.b.3.6 to I.10.b.6.1. END War Diary 22nd MarchFront Lines near Monchie - 22 March 1918 - 9am: BN HQ moved to deep dug-outs at I.17.a 9.45am - Major R.F. Traill took over command of Bn from Lt Col P.R Whalley DSO who was ordered back to Bde HQ. 10am - B&C Coys were ordered to extent left flank along Northern side of Maricourt Wood & towards Vaulx Wood where fresh attacks were taking place on Corps Lines. 4.50pm - Owing to withdrawal of a Bn on the left B&C Coys were ordered to withdraw to Sunken Road in I.17.a. Owing to fresh enemy attacks developing only C Coy could be extricated. In the meantime A&B Coys had some stiff fighting, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. 7pm - Situation on the left because serious & Bn was ordered to form a defensive flank between Beetroot Factory and I.17.a. B Coy could not be extricated from its positions, bothj C & D Coys with elements of 51st Division held a position between I.17.a central and the Beetroot Factory while A Coy held a position north of the Sunken Road near BN HQ in I.17.a. During the day the following officers became casualties: Capt J.M. Lett killed, Lt D.G. Hemmis? killed; Lt. F.G. Elliot killed; 2nd Lt A Houghton killed; 2nd Lt C Latham wounded. END |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| Jul Qtr 1885 at Redditch | |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Richard and Emma Bird | Worcester |
| Wife | Marriage Details |
| Mabel Bird nee Horsman | 29 Dec 1915 at Alveston |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1885 - Redditch | 1891 - Scholar |
| 1891 - 44 Ipsley Street, Ipsley | 1901 - Odd man |
| 1901 - Wellesbourne | 1911 - Worcester |
| 1911 - 5 Barbourne Walk, Worcester | |
| 1915 - Jasmine Cottage, Alveston | |