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 in Which Died | Campaign Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| France & Flanders | British War & Victory Medals | Arras Memorial |
| First Arrived in Theatre | Bravery & Conduct Medals | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| After 1 May 1916 in France | ~ | Leamington Spa War Memorial |
| Leamington College for Boys | ||
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Died | Date and Place Enlisted | |
| Local Trench Warfare near Arras | February 1916 in Coventry | Other War Memorials |
| ~ | ||
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | |
| Oppy Wood / Arleux | ~ | |
Circumstances of Death
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Alberrt is listed as being killed in action during a raid on the enemy line at Oppy on 25th June 1917. The 14th Battalion war diary entries for the period 24th to 26th June are transcribed below. Oppy - 24 Jun 1917: Pte Branch killed by shell fire, 1 other rank wounded Oppy - 25 Jun 1917: A special raiding party, comprised of volunteers, Commanded by Lt Rees and led by 2/Lts J.P. Turner & J.P. Ivens attempted to enter the enemy’s line on the NW side of Oppy Wood, between the Arleux Loop & Arleux Support trenches. Oppy - 26 Jun 1917: Zero hour was at 1.30am 26 Jun 1917. The raiding party found the enemy holding his front line trench in force & were met by a barrage of hand grenades. 2/Lt Ivens & about 10 other ranks managed to reach his trench but 2/Lt Turner and his party were forced to withdraw. 2/Lt Ivens was taken prisoner and 2 other ranks are reported as missing, 8 other ranks are wounded. The raid which was to have been a ‘surprise’ one was spoilt by artillery preparation for a pending attack on Oppy Wood, having drawn the enemy’s attention to that portion of the trench the raid had for its objective. 1 other rank accidentally wounded, 2/Lt Ivens and Sgt Lucas showed great dash & gallantry during the raid. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| 14 Jul 1896 in Leamington Spa | |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| George and Mary Jane Farmer | 10 Minster Road, Coventry |
| Schools | Colleges |
| Leamington College for Boys | ~ |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1896 - Leamington Spa | 1901 - School age |
| 1901 - 101 Willes Road, Leamington Spa | 1911 - Office Boy |
| 1911 - 23A Coundon Road, Coventry | 1916 - Clerk for Curtis & Beamish, Coventry |
| 1917 - 10 Minster Road, Coventry | |
Brother of Henry Gordon Farmer who also fell
