South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 5968 Henry ELKINGTON - 2nd Battalion South Lancashire Regiment

Killed in Action on Sunday, September 20th 1914 aged 33


Military History

     
Theatre of War WW1 Campaign Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders 1914 Star, British War & Victory Medals La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial
     
Arrived in Theatre Other Campaign Medals SWFHS Area Memorials
14 Aug 1914 in Rouen, France Queens South Africa Medal & 3 Clasps Leamington Spa War Memorial
  Kings South Africa Medal & 2 Clasps Leamington Spa St. Mary's Memorial
Action, Battle or Other Reason Died   Leamington Spa St. Paul's Memorial 
First Battle of the Aisne  Date and Place Enlisted Leamington All Saints Memorial
  14 Nov 1899 in Warwick  
Place of Death    
near Braine / Rouge Maison Date and Place Mobilised Army Reserve Service
  5 Aug 1914 in Tidworth, Hants 13 Nov 1906 to 04 Aug 1914 

Circumstances of Death

Henry is listed as being killed in action on 20 Sep 1914 during the Battle of the Aisne. The 2nd Battalion war diary entry for the day is transcribed below.

Braine - 20 Sep 1914: Heavy attack made on position [near St. Precord] by Germans, During the day the battalion, less one platoon, was sent forward to reinforce various positions of the firing line. The casualties during the day were 3 officers killed, 4 officers wounded, 141 other ranks killed, wounded or missing. Of this later number only a small amount were missing.

During an advance by the enemy a few Germans came forward making signs of surrender. 2nd Lt Sution and 4 men advanced to meet them where upon they were fired on by other Germans concealed behind. 2nd Lt Sution was wounded and 3 men captured.

The names of the Officers killed were 2/Lt Watson, 2/Lt Wallace & 2/Lt Birdwood, those wounded being Capt. Evans, Lt. Gebbie & 2/Lt's Hewite & Sutton.


 
 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
30 May 1881 in Weston under Wetherley  
   
Parents Names Abode
Edward (stepfather) and Mary Anne Elkington nee Anderton 23 George Street, Leamington Spa
   
Wife and Marriage Details Children
Edith Lucy Elkington nee Godley Mary Mercia b 3 Jun 1914 
27 Oct 1912 in Leamington Priors   
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1881 - Weston under Wetherley 1891 - School age 
1891 - not found 1899 - Carpenter
1901 - South Africa with 2nd South Lancs Regt 1899 - Soldier in South Lancashire Regt                                         
1911 - 36 New Street, Leamington Spa 1911 - Cycle Chain Finisher 
1914 - 34, New Street, Leamington Spa 1914 - Cycle Chain Finisher 
   
  • Henry was born Henry Anderton, his birth certificate does not give his fathers name
  • By1899 Henry was using the name Elkington and served in the army under that name.
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  • At the time of marriage to his wife Edith in 1912 he was using the last name Anderton