Military History

Theatre

Action/Battle/Other

Battle of Flers-Courcelette (Somme)

Place of Death

Military hospital at Abbeville

 

Medals

Medal Citation (if app)

~

Enlisted Date/Place

2 Sep 1914 in London

Other Information/Previous Regiments/Units

• On his service record it is recorded that he had been born in Warwick
• Arrived in France on 20 May 1915
• 6 Jul 1915 promoted in the field to Temporary Corporal
• 9 Aug 1915 promoted to Serjeant

Circumstances Leading to Death (Normally from War Diary)

William died of his wounds at one of either No.3 BRCS, No.2 or No.5 Stationary Hospitals all of which used Abbeville Cemetery. He was wounded in action on 15 Sep 1916 and died 4 days later on 19 Sep 1916. On the 15th the battalion were in the lines in Brown trench at Delville Wood when they were given orders to capture Pint and Switch Trenches. The normal bombardment started at 6.20am and after covering 150 yards relatively unscathed the next 200 yards of gains came at heavy cost. However they captured Pint trench and then pressed onto their main objective at Switch trench. By the time they reached Switch trench all of the officers who started the advance has become casualties. They then consolidated the line as the rest of the Brigade came through the line to press forward the next stage of the attack. William was wounded at some stage that day.

Trench Map	Abbeville Cemetery