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South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Rifleman C/6391 Edgar THOMPSON - 18th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps

Killed in Action on Friday September 15th, 1916 aged 22

Military History
     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Memorial
France & Flanders British War & Victory Medals Thiepval Memorial
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
2 May 1916 in France ~ Kenilworth War Memorial
    Kenilworth St. Nicholas
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed Date and Place Enlisted  
Battle of The Somme (Flers Courcelette) 17 Jul 1915 in  
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units Other War Memorials 
Flers Courcelette ~  
     

Circumstances of Death

Edgar is listed as being killed in action on 15th September 1916 during the attack on Flers Courcelette. The 18th Battalion war diary entries for the 13th to 15th are transcribed below along with a short obituary in the Kenilworth Advertiser.

War Diary Entries

Fricourt Camp – 13.9.16: The Battalion moved off from Fricourt Camp at 2am halting at Pommiers Redoubt. Arrived at Green Dump area about 4pm relieving 10th Queens. Our trench strength was 624 & positions occupied were HQ & C Coy – York Trench, A B & D Coys Orchard, Carlton & Savoy trenches respectively.

Casualties Nil

Trenches – 14.9.16: At 9pm the Battalion moved via Milk Lane to communications trench over Tea Trench from 11th Royal West Kents. Relief being completed by about 1.30am 15th 9.16.

Casualties: 10 caused by  barrage of whiz bangs.

Trenches – 15.9.16: The battalion advanced towards Flers at 6.15am in waves of 150 men each. The first wave occupied the Hun first line, the second wave followed taking Huns second line, the third and fourth [waves] advancing on the west half of Flers.

Casualties: Officers Killed 7; Wounded 7. Total 14
Other Ranks Killed 57; wounded 227; died of wounds 3 & missing 69. Total 346

Newspaper Obituary

The Kenilworth Advertiser - Saturday October 7, 1916
KENILWORTH SOLDIER KILLED

Private Edgar Thompson, K.R.R. aged 22, son of Mr. W.A. Thompson of Priory Road, Kenilworth, was officially reported on Wednesday last as having been killed in action in France on September 18th. He volunteered twelve months ago and had only been a few weeks in France. His twin brother, who was with him in the same battalion sent the sad news to his home.
 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
2 Aug 1893 in Coventry 1 Sep 1909 at Coventry St. John
   
Parents Names Abode
William Adler and Sarah A. Thompson Beecholm, Priory Row, Kenilworth                            
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1893 - Coventry 1901 - School age
1901 - 1 Highbury Place, Abbots Lane, Coventry 1911 - Electrical Engineer
1911 - 1 Highbury Place, Abbots Lane, Coventry  1915 - Electrical Engineer
1915 - 1 Highbury Place, Abbots Lane, Coventry  
1916 - Beecholm, Priory Row, Kenilworth  

 

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