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 | British War & Victory Medals | Hangard Communal Cemetery Extension |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| After 1 Jan 1916 in France | ~ | Barston, St. Swithin's |
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Enlisted | |
| German Spring Offensive (Battle of the Lys) | June/July 1915 in Birmingham | |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | Other War Memorials |
| near Poperinge | Pte 23660 Worcestershire Regiment | ~ |
- Please note that by the time of his death Arthur was a member of the 13th Battalion as on 11 February 1918 the 14th Battalion was disbanded in France, with the remaining 12 officers and 250 men going to the 13th Battalion. We made this discovery when trying to find the 14th Battalion war diary for March 1918. The 13th Battalion war diary names all of the officers that joined the Battalion on 11 Feb 1918.
- It should also be noted that at time the 13th Battalion had also suffered large numbers of casualties and were forced to join Composite Battalions.
Circumstances of Death
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Arthur is listed as being killed in action on 24th April 1918 during the Battle of the Lys. The 13th Battalion war diary for the period 21st to 28th April is transcribed below. SE of Poperinge 1918 - April - 21st: No 2 [Composite] Bn [of which 13th was a part] rejoined 39th Div composite Bde & moved to Dominion Camp G.23.g but were again put at the disposal of 62nd Brigade, 9th Division. 24-25th: No 2 Bn relieved 16 Manchester Regt later, other troops having been forced back, No 2 Bn formed a defensive flank to Shelly Farm to conform. Later it was ordered to hold the line Bus House (exclusive) to The Bluff (inclusive). 26th: At 5am enemy were massing opposite No 2 Bn but report failed to reach Brigade HQ & SOS, owing to fog was not seen by artillery. Enemy penetrated into our line & reached the Spoil Bank and attacked the Bluff. Very few officers and men escaped and the survivors withdrew on N bank of the Canal to 110 Inf Bde line, a point just W of the Bluff held by Lt. A.F. Hall with 1 Platoon of 13th Glosters held out from 7.30am to 8pm and was surrounded by the enemy during the whole time. At 8pm they fought their way out to our lines, the officer and 17 O.R reaching safety. Survivors of the No 2 Composite Bn were amalgamated with the No 4 Composite Bn of 39th Division Composite Bde. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| Jan Qtr 1895 in Barston | |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Thomas & Esther Prentice | Barston |
| Schools | Colleges |
| Barston School | ~ |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1895 - Barston | 1911 - Plough Boy on Farm |
| 1901 - Barston | |
| 1911 - Barston | |
| 1915 - Barston | |
- Cousin of James Prentice and Harry Prentice both of whom also fell, all three of them during the German Spring Offensive in Mar/Apr 1918
