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 and Flanders | 1914 Star & Clasp, British War & Victory Medals | Meteren Military Cemetery |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 22 Aug 1914 at Boulogne, France | ~ | Warwick (Eleanor Cross) War Memorial |
| Westgate School | ||
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Enlisted | |
| Battle of Messines | 7 Jul 1908 at Warwick | |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | Other War Memorials |
| Meteren | ~ | |
Circumstances of Death
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Thomas is listed as being killed in action on 13 Oct 1914 and the 1st Battalion war diary entry for that day is transcribed below. Also badly wounded, shot through the right lung, during this battle was Lt. Montgomery who went onto to become Field Marshall Montgomery, leader of British forces in WW2. Castre - Oct 13th 1914 - 2am: Arrived Castre and went into billets 9.20am: Orders to move to Meteren 9.38am: A & C Coys formed advance guard under Major Poole. 10am: On reaching Fletre enemy were reported to be holding high ground along ridges in front of Meteren. A & B Coys were deployed A of left B on right N of wall to advance & if possible to cross road. D Coy under Major Christie was sent up behind C Coy in support. Enemy retired into and just outside Meteren occupying trenches & houses. 11am: Regiment ordered to push on & endeavour to drive them out. 1pm: Gained outskirts of village but were held up & great need of supports C & D Coys again advanced and took several trenches but suffered severely. 1.30pm: G.O.C. ordered Regiment to halt & he would attack with Xth Brigade to North of Village & 12th Brigade was to attack on S of road. 2pm: 12th Brigade commence their attack 3pm: Seaforths attack on our left & through A Coy which withdrew at dusk to Planeboon. C & D Coys under Captain Freeman & Major Christie were unable to withdraw till much later owing to heavy fire but about 8pm the King’s Own came up & passed through them. 10pm: C & D Coys join Battalion at Planeboon, the Regiment becoming Reserve to Brigade. Meteren was taken during the night. Our casualties 42 killed, 85 wounded. Major Christie, Lt Gilcrist (died of wounds), Lt Montgomery (badly wounded). |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| Oct Qtr 1889 at Warwick | 2 Feb 1890 at Warwick St. Paul |
| Parents Names | |
| Thomas Edward died 1906 and Maria Andrews died 1900 | Warwick |
| Schools | Colleges |
| Westgate Boys School | ~ |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1890 - 37 Parkes Street, Warwick | 1901 - Scholar |
| 1891 - 37 Parkes Street, Warwick | 1908 - Labourer (before July) |
| 1901 - 32 Lower Cape, Warwick (with aunt) | 1908 - Soldier in Royal Warwickshire Regt (> July) |
| 1911 - Army Barracks, Bombay, India | 1911 - Soldier in Royal Warwickshire Regt |
| 1914 - 32 Lower Cape, Warwick | |
- When not on active service Thomas had lived with his Aunt Margaret following the death of his parents. Margaret was his nominated next of kin.
- Warwick War Memorial Project Biography
