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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


Sapper 129983 John Bertram HARRIS - 3rd Special Company, Royal Engineers


Died on Thursday 24th October 1918 aged 25

Military History
   
Theatre of WarMedalsCommonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals Etaples Military Cemetery
     
Arrived in TheatreMedal Citation (if app)SWFHS Area Memorials
20 Nov 1915 in France ~ Hockley Heath War Memorial
    Knowle War Memorial
Action, Battle or Other Reason KilledDate and Place Enlisted Knowle Soldiers Chapel
John died of Pneumonia October 1914 in Birmingham Packwood St. Giles
     
Place of DeathPrevious Regiments or UnitsOther War Memorials  
No. 56 General Hospital, Etaples  Pte 604 Royal Warwickshire Regt Barnsley, S. Yorkshire
     

Circumstances of Death

John was part of 3rd Special Company, Royal Engineers. These companies were set up in 1915 as part of the Special Brigade, Royal Engineers following the use of Chemical Weapons by the German army in early 1915. The companies specialised in the release of Chemical Weapons towards enemy lines.

John died of pneumonia at the No. 56 General Hospital in Etaples after he had been accidentally gassed.

 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/PlaceBaptism Date/Place
7 May 1893 in Lapworth 2 Jun 1893 in Lapworth
   
Parents NamesAbode
Alfred and Sarah Ellen Harris “Roslyn”, Earlswood Road, Dorridge 
   
SchoolsColleges
King Edward VI Grammar School, Camp Hill  ~
   
Address HistoryEmployment History
1893 - Broom Hall, Lapworth 1901 - School age                                        
1901 - Bushwood Hall, Bushwood, Stratford on Avon 1911 - Joiners apprentice
1911 - 33 Western Street, Barnsley, Yorks (grandparents)  
1915 - “Roslyn”, Earlswood Road, Dorridge  
   

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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


Private 200895 William Henry McCOUSIN - 221st Divisional Employment Company, Labour Corps

Died on Tuesday 12th February 1918 aged

william mccousins grave for w mccousin

Military History
   
Theatre of WarMedalsCommonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders British War & Victory Medals Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery
     
Arrived in TheatreMedal Citation (if app)SWFHS Area Memorials
After 1 December 1916 ~ Kenilworth War Memorial
    Kenilworth St. Nicholas 
Action, Battle or Other Reason KilledDate and Place Mobilised  
Died of Lobar Pneumonia  October 1916 in Warwick  
     
Place of DeathPrevious Regiments or Units Other War Memorials 
Casualty Clearing Station, Lijssenthoek 6961 - 5th Bn, Royal Warwickshire's  
     

Circumstances of Death

William died of Lobar Pneumonia at a Casualty Clearing Station in Lijssenthoek on 12th February 1918.

 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/PlaceBaptism Date/Place
We are still researching William, which is proving difficult  
   
Parents NamesAbode
                    
   
Wife and Marriage Details Children
   
   
   
SchoolsColleges
  ~
   
Address HistoryEmployment History
   
   
   
1914 - 38 New Street, Kenilworth                                                 1914 - Gardener for Dudley Docker of Crackley Gables, Kenilworth
1916 - Stoneleigh Abbey, Kenilworth 1916 - Gardener at Stoneleigh Abbey
  •  We are still trying to find more details about William's personal life

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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 374695 Ernest GILLETT - 2nd/8th Battalion London Regiment

Killed in Action Tuesday, October 30, 1917 aged 34

Military History
   
Theatre of WarMedalsCommonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders British War & Victory Medals Tyne Cot Memorial
     
Arrived in TheatreMedal Citation (if app)SWFHS Area Memorials
After 1st January 1917 in France ~ Binton War Memorial
    Shottery War Memorial
Action, Battle or Other Reason DiedDate and Place Enlisted Stratford on Avon WW1 Memorial
Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele)  1 Nov 1916 at Stratford on Avon  Stratford Holy Trinity Church  
    Stratford Cemetery Memorial  
Place of DeathPrevious Regiments or Units Stratford on Avon Post Office
East of Poelcappelle     
     

Circumstances of Death

Ernest is listed as being killed in action on 30th October 1917. The following summary of events is produced by Grok3 AI and gives a better description than the Report on Operations in the war diary.

The 2nd/8th Battalion, London Regiment (Post Office Rifles), was heavily engaged on October 30, 1917, during the Second Battle of Passchendaele, part of the larger Third Battle of Ypres in World War I. This Territorial Force battalion, formed in September 1914 and composed largely of former postal workers, had landed in France in 1917 as part of the 58th (2/1st London) Division, specifically within the 174th Brigade.

On that date, the 2nd/8th Battalion participated in an attack near Poelcappelle in the Ypres Salient, a notoriously muddy and heavily contested area. The Second Battle of Passchendaele aimed to capture the Passchendaele Ridge, but the conditions were atrocious—torrential rain had turned the battlefield into a quagmire, making movement and communication extremely difficult. The battalion’s objective was to advance through this terrain under intense German artillery and machine-gun fire.

poelcappelle areaClick to enlarge

The attack on October 30 was part of a broader offensive by the 58th Division. The 2nd/8th Battalion suffered catastrophic losses: over 200 men were killed or died of wounds shortly afterward, with many more wounded or missing. Historical accounts note that 101 of these soldiers are commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, indicating they have no known grave—a testament to the chaos and destruction of the battle. The battalion’s war diary and survivor accounts describe the assault as a desperate struggle, with men bogged down in mud, unable to advance effectively, and exposed to relentless enemy fire. Many resorted to crawling on all fours but quickly became exhausted. Few men got close to the targets and the battalion suffered 248 casualties before retiring to the starting points. This engagement was one of the battalion’s most devastating moments.

By early 1918, due to such heavy casualties and manpower shortages, the 2nd/8th Battalion was absorbed into the 1/8th Battalion, effectively ending its independent existence. The losses on October 30, 1917, reflect the brutal reality of the Passchendaele campaign, where gains were minimal and the human cost was staggering.
 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/PlaceBaptism Date/Place
Jan Qtr 1883 in Stratford on Avon  28 Jan 1883 at Stratford on Avon, Holy Trinity 
   
Parents NamesAbode
Emma Gillett 1863-1928 Stratford on Avon 
   
Wife and Marriage Details Children
Ada Gillett nee Davis Geoffrey Ernest b 30 Mar 1915 
Oct Qtr 1910 in Walsall District  
   
SchoolsColleges
  ~
   
Address HistoryEmployment History
1883 - Stratford on Avon 1891 - Scholar
1891 - 43 Shottery Road, Stratford on Avon 1903 - Postman at Stratford Post Office 
1901 - 43 Shottery Road, Stratford on Avon 1911 - Postman at Stratford Post Office
1911 - 40 Shottery Road, Stratford on Avon 1915 - Postman at Stratford Post Office
1915 - 40 Shottery Road, Stratford on Avon  
   
  • Ernest's father is not listed in his baptism record
  • Two years before his birth mother Emma was employed as a Servant to a Solicitor’s Managing Clerk and lived in Camberwell, London

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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


Private 50535 Alfred GARDNER - C Coy, 1st/5th Battalion, Yorkshire Light Infantry

Died of Wounds on Wednesday 27th March 1918 aged 19

alfred gardner

Military History
   
Theatre of WarCampaign MedalsCommonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders British War & Victory Medals Arras Memorial
     
Arrived in TheatreBravery & Conduct MedalsSWFHS Area Memorials
After 1 April 1917 in France  ~ Leamington Spa War Memorial
    Leamington St. Paul's Memorial
Action, Battle or Other Reason DiedDate and Place Enlisted  
German Spring Offensive February 1917 in Coventry  
     
Place of DeathPrevious Regiments or Units Other War Memorials
Rossignol Wood Pte M/298275 Army Service Corps  ~ 
     

Circumstances of Death

Alfred it listed as dying of wounds on 27th March 1918 during the German Spring Offensive. The South Warwickshire Roll of Honour states that Alfred was shot in the stomach by an enemy sniper as he returned to the front lines after delivering an important message to his Battalion HQ. His position [in Rossignol Wood] was then overrun before he could be evacuated and he died in the hands of then enemy. The 1st/5th Battalion war diary entries for the period 25th to 31st March are transcribed below.

Arras – 25 Mar 1918: Battalion moved by forced march to Bucquoy to take part and operate to hold up German advance.

Bucquoy-Puisieux – 26 Mar 1918: Took up position in Bucquoy-Puisieux line awaiting German advance.

Bucquoy-Puisieux – 27 Mar 1918: German attack drives in right flank of 62nd Division near Rossignol Wood. B & C Coys move into Brigade Reserve on right flank and counter with tanks driving the enemy back to Rossignol Wood. A & D Coys move to right flank in readiness for counter attack on the right on the 28th inst.

Bucquoy-Puisieux – 28 Mar 1918: Counter attack launched at 5.30am in Rossignol Wood. A, B & C Coys push well forward and regain objectives (being our original point line).

D Coy held in reserve. Later A.B & C Coys are cut off by enemy and are missing. The Commanding Officer (Lt. Col O.C. Wilson DSO) killed during the counter attack. Major T. Shearman assumed command.

Rossignol Wood - 29, 30 & 31 Mar 1918: Battalion HQ & personnel move up to and occupy trench SW of Rossignol Wood on defensive flank. Remnants of D Coy join Bn HQ.

 
 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/PlaceBaptism Date/Place
28 Oct 1898 in Harnall Lane, Coventry  
   
Parents NamesAbode
Alfred and Alice Elizabeth Gardner (nee Humphries)      29 Comyn Street, Leamington Spa                                                   
   
SchoolsColleges
  ~
   
Address HistoryEmployment History
1898 - Harnall Lane, Coventry 1911 - School
1901 - 3 Chesham Terrace, Leamington Spa   
1911 - 29 Comyn Street, Leamington Spa    
1918 - 29 Comyn Street, Leamington Spa  
   

alfredgardner.jpeg

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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


Staff Sergeant 614021 Harry WINYARD -  1st/1st Warwick Bty, 15th Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery

Died of Wounds on Monday 9th April 1917 aged 34

Military History
   
Theatre of War in Which DiedCampaign MedalsCommonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders 1914-15, British War & Victory Medals Duisans British Cemetery
     
First Arrived in TheatreBravery & Conduct MedalsSWFHS Area Memorials
31 Oct 1914 in France ~ Leamington Spa War Memorial
    Warwickshire RHA, Warwick 
Action, Battle or Other Reason DiedDate and Place Enlisted  
Battle of Arras 1909 in Leamington Spa Other War Memorials 
    ~ 
Place of DeathPrevious Regiments or Units  
near Tilloy Original Service # 124  
     

Previous Military Service

  • 13 Feb 1900 - Enlisted as a Sadler in 45 (Dublin) Company, 13th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry
  • 13 Mar 1900 - Posted to South Africa
  • 13 Apr 1901 - Resigned from Yeomanry

Circumstances of Death

Harry is listed as dying of wounds received in action on 9 Apr 1917 during the Battle of Arras. The war diary for the day shows that he was one of 9 officers and men who were killed when a shell hit their position. The Brigade war diary for that day is transcribed below.
 

15th Bde HQ at H.31.c.15.10 [Tilloy-les-Mofflaines] 9.4.17: Rain falling heavily at zero hour (5.30am). Batteries shot according to programme.

460 Battery were heavily and consistently shelled & had a number of casualties also B & Warwick [Batteries]. At 10.30am the railway bridge beside 460 Battery was blown up burying in its pull 3 howitzers. The flaring of charges piled under the bridge, which had been set on fire, gave sufficient warning for HQ & the Battery to clear, HQ moved into the tunnel a few yards away.

2/Lt Pilling of 460th Battery was Brigade F.O.O; Major Thorneycroft and a party went forward to Houlette Work in H.31.b & both got messages back to the Brigade updating on the situation.

The Brigade was ordered to move forward about 5pm. Positions were reconnoitered by Col Sherbrooke who proceeded down Battery Valley. Subsequently the Brigade was ordered to go down the Cambrai Road. Positions about H.31.B.1.1 were taken up circa 3am with orders to support attack on Brown Line at 6am.

Casualties this day: Lt. W.J. Nowell - 460 Battery; 2Lt P.B. Duckworth - Warwick RHA; 2Lt G.A. Nicholls – Warwick; Corpl Edmunds G.E; 614325 Bdr Eaton J; 614035 A/Bdr Cope F.O; 614550 Gnr Bain D; 614339 Gnr DeHeriz C.R; 614034 Gnr Coldicott F.W; Gnr Peterkin J.W. all of Warwick R.H.A killed. No 614021 Staff Sgt Winyard subsequently died of wounds.

 
 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/PlaceBaptism Date/Place
12 Dec 1881 in Hartford, Connecticut, USA 29 Oct 1882 at Walsall St. Michael's
   
Parents NamesAbode
William and Ellen Winyard Walsall
   
Wife and Marriage Details Children
Mary Winyard William Henry b 9 Feb 1905; Ernest b 26 Nov 1906        
Marriage Not Found Lena Mary b 25 Dec 1912
   
SchoolsColleges
Palfrey Boys School, Walsall  ~
   
Address HistoryEmployment History
1881 - Hartford, Connecticut, USA 1891 - Scholar at Palfrey Boys School, Walsall
1891 - 4 Willow Chambers, Walsall 1900 - Saddler
1892 - 117 Whitehall Road, Walsall 1901 - Soldier in Imperial Yeomanry
1901 - South Africa with Imperial Yeomanry 1901 - Saddle Maker
1911 - 12a Clarendon Avenue, Leamington Spa  1909 - Gunner in Territorial Artillery 
1917 - 12a Clarendon Street, Leamington Spa  1911 - Saddle Maker 
   

 

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  1. Private 264 Charles Riley
  2. Lieutenant Frederick William POLEHAMPTON
  3. Private 26526 Percy Henry WOODFORD
  4. Bombadier 614325 John EATON

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Battalions, Brigades & Other Units