South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project |
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Military History |
| Theatre of War | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
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| France and Flanders | British War & Victory Medals | Thelus Military Cemetery |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 8 Dec 1916 | ~ | Harbury |
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Enlisted Date | Other War Memorials |
| Battle of Vimy Ridge | 17 Jan 1916 at East Angus, Canada | Sherbrooke, Canada |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | Other Information |
| near Thelus, Vimy | 117th Eastern Townships Battalion | Arrived in England 24 Aug 1916 |
| Transferred to 5th Mounted Rifles on 1 Dec 1916 |
Circumstances Leading to Death (Normally from War Diary)
The attack on Vimy Ridge began at 5.30am, following a 2 week long allied artillery barrage and Clement's battalion, part of 3rd Division advanced. The advance overran many of the German guns because large numbers of their draught horses had been killed in the initial gas attack. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Canadian Divisions reported reaching and capturing their first objective, the Black Line, by 6:25 am. The 4th Canadian Division encountered a great deal of trouble during its advance and was unable to complete its first objective until some hours later. After a planned pause when the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Canadian Divisions consolidated their positions, the advance resumed. Shortly after 7:00 am, the 1st Canadian Division captured the left half of its second objective, the Red Line and moved the 1st Canadian Brigade forward to mount an attack on the remainder. The 2nd Canadian Division reported reaching the Red Line and capturing the village of Les Tilleuls at approximately the same time.A mine explosion that killed many German troops of Reserve Infantry Regiment 262 manning the front line, preceded the next advance of Clement's 3rd Canadian Division. The remaining German troops could do no more than man temporary lines of resistance until later manning a full defence at the German third line. As a result, the southern section of the 3rd Canadian Division was able to reach the Red Line at the western edge of the Bois de la Folie at around 7:30 am. At 9:00 am the division learned of its exposed left flank, as the 4th Canadian Division had not yet captured Hill 145. The 3rd Canadian Division was thus called upon to establish a divisional defensive flank to its north. Read more here
Clement was killed at some stage during the advance.
Clement was killed at some stage during the advance.
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| Battle of Vimy Ridge Map | Thelus Military Cemetery |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Bapitsm Date/Place |
|---|---|
| 23 Jan 1894 at Harbury | 4 Mar 1894 at Harbury |
| Parents Names | Parents Abode |
| John Henry and Eliza Gascoigne | 8 Church Terrace, Harbury |
| Wife & Marriage Date/Place | Children & Year of Birth |
| ~ | ~ |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1894 - Harbury | 1911 - Footman |
| 1901 - 8 Church Terrace, Harbury | 1916 - Labourer |
| 1911 - Sheldon Rectory, Birmingham | |
| 1913 - Emigrated to Canada | |
| 1916 - East Angus, Quebec |
