South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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 The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 202908 William Charles COLLIER - 16th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment


Killed in Action on Tuesday October 9th, 1917 aged 32

 William Collier grave for wc collier

Military History

     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France and Flanders British War & Victory Medals Hooge Crater Cemetery
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
After Oct 1916 ~ Southam War Memorial
     
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed Date and Place Enlisted Other War Memorials
Battle of Poelcapelle After Oct 1916 at Rugby  
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units  
north of Gheluvelt ~  
     

Circumstances Leading to Death (Normally from War Diary)

On the 9th October 1917 the battalion began fresh attacks in the area of Polderhoek Chateau and Woods to the north of Gheluvelt. Almost as soon as the attack began the battlalion were forced to retire after suffering heavy casualties from heavy artillery and machine gun fire. The war diary tells us that the men of the battalion had not had a hot meal for 5 days, were soaking wet due to constant rain and had very litte rest or sleep as well as taking part in heavy fighting.

William was killed during the attack.      


 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Bapitsm Date/Place
Oct Qtr 1878 at Newbold on Avon 12 Jan 1879 Newbold on Avon
   
Parents Names Parents Abode
Samuel and Amy Collier Rugby
   
Wife & Marriage Date/Place Children & Year of Birth
Mabel Collier nee Warnett (deceased) - July Qtr 1903 at Rugby Frank George Collier born 27 Feb 1906
Gladys Collier nee Marslen - 31 Jul 1912 in Southam  
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History                       
1881 - 2 Princess Street, Rugby 1891 - Scholar
1891 - 7 Spring Street, Rugby 1901 - Assitant Overseer
1901 - 20 High Street, Hilmorton 1906 - Relieving Officer
1906 - Southam 1911 - Relieving Officer
1911 - Daventry Street, Southam  
  • 1903 - Appointed Relieving Officer (Administering Relief for the Poor) for the Southam Rural Area
  • William was also the Registrar of Births, deaths and marriages for the Southam Rural Area
  • Williams first wife Mabel died in June 1911
  • Photograph of William courtesty of the Southam Heritage Collection