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 | Campaign Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| France & Flanders | British War & Victory Medals | Morval British Cemetery |
| Arrived in Theatre | Bravery & Conduct Medals | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 28 Nov 1917 in France | ~ | Leamington Holy Trinity Memorial |
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Died | Date and Place Enlisted in UK Military | Other War Memorials |
| Second Battle of the Somme (1918) | 6 Jun 1917 in Bristol | Dursley, Gloucestershire |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | |
| near High Wood | Gloucestershire Regiment | |
| 5th South African Infantry |
Military Service History
- 1915 - Enlisted in 5th South African Infantry and discharged as being unfit after 16 months service in German East Africa
- 6 Jun 1917 - Enlisted in Gloucestershire Regiment in Bristol and transferred to 29th Training Reserve Battalion
- 25 Sep 1917 - Commissioned as 2nd Lt (Gazetted on 23 Oct 1917)
- 28 Nov 1917 - Arrived in France
Circumstances of Death
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Lionel is listed as being killed in action on 29th August 1918, however the Battalion war diary states that he was killed in an enemy ambush on the 30th August. The 10th Battalion war diary entries for the period 28th to 31st August are transcribed below. High Wood - 28 Aug 1918: Battalion formed up in the morning near High Wood, in rear of 17 R.W.F, to pass through 113 Bde who were attacking through Deville and Longuevalle. The attack had initial success but enemy guns came into action from high ground east and held up our men. 10th S.W.B caught in this fire scattered into shell holes. Owing to a misunderstanding A & B Coys went forward with 113 Bde and were practically in front line. They were withdrawn at dusk into trenches south of High Wood. High Wood - 29 Aug 1918: The Battalion rested in trenches south of High Wood. C & D Coys in dug-outs in the wood. Capt Hoffmeister evacuated sick leaving 2/Lt Simpson in charge of C Company. High Wood – 30 Aug 1918: At 3.30am Battalion left trenches E of High Wood with 2/R.W.F on right. The enemy had withdrawn during the night. Captured 6 prisoners. The Battalion advanced 3,000 yards and then pushed on to Les Boeufs. Lt. Loxton leading ? ran into an ambush and was wounded. He was seen being carried back by the enemy, his body was found next day behind the then German line. Our advance was held up by M.G. east of Les Boeufs. The men are tired but very high morale. Lt Schofield evacuated gassed. 6 Officers arrived with a draft of 120 OR. 2/Lt’s Roberts & Ellis rejoined from courses. Les Boeufs – 31 Aug 1918: All Coys spent a good day in Les Boeufs. B Coy very comfortable, situated in deep dug-outs. Advance temporarily held up by M.G. nest E of village. 2/Lt Jewell killed by shell. Only a few casualties amongst other ranks. Men rested and moral[e] very high. 2/Lt Roberts took over duties of Intelligence Officers. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| Oct Qtr 1893 in Stroud, Glos | 26 Sep 1893 at Stroud St. Lawrence |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Arthur Charles and Hyacinth Marie Loxton | Dursley, Glos |
| Grandparents | Abode |
| William Edward and Annie Loxton | Woodmancote, Dursley, Glos |
| Uncle | Abode |
| Alfred Edward Loxton | 52 Clarendon Road, Leamington Spa |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1893 - Prospect Villa, Stroud | 1914 - Bank Clerk with Stand Bank, Cape Town |
| 1914 - Claremont, Cape Town, South Africa | |
We have not been able to find Lionel in any UK records, nor his parents, between his baptism and death, we know he lived in South Africa
but we do not know when he moved there.
