Military History

Alexander is listed as being killed in on 23 Aug 1918 during the capture of Ervillers. The 1st Battalion war diary entry for that day is transcribed below.

Quesnoy Farm – 23/8/18: The Battalion moved off from Quesnoy Farm at 5am by platoons to the Ayette-Bucquoy Road. At 7am the road was crossed and companies moved into position at A.7.d. Here final details for the attack on Ervillers were settled and at 10pm the Battn moved to the assembly positions in A.22.a arriving there 15 minutes before zero.

During the halt the enemy commenced shelling the assembly positions and by 11am when the attack commenced a heavy barrage [British] was down on A.16, 17, 22 and 23 squares [map grids]. The barrage was shortened as the advance continued and the Battn had some casualties including Rev C.K. Bell and Lt Humbley who were both killed.

All objectives of the Brigade were captured without serious opposition from the enemy infantry who surrendered freely as our men came near. The 5^th Inf Bde on our right failed to capture Behagnies and throughout the day Field Gun and M.G. fire from the ridge NE of Behagnies was very troublesome.

The final dispositions of the Battn were A Coy in Sunken Riad in A.24.d, C & D Coys in Ervillers – Bee Wood trench in B.19. The 2^nd S. Staffs were holding the E edge of the village and B Coy were withdrawn to Battn HQ which had been established in the Park at A.23.b.5.8.

Rations and water were brought up by the transport to Bn HQ during the night and carried to the companies by B Coy, tools and wire were carried up to the 2^nd S. Staffs.

Military History

Percy was killed in action on 2nd December 1918 some 5 miles behind the front lines by a stray shell. The 2nd/1st Field Ambulance war diary entry for 2nd December 1916 and a letter to Percy's parents from his Commanding Officer and re-printed in De Ruvigney's Roll of Honour and the Birmingham Mail on 19 De 1916 are transcribed below.

Military History

William is listed as being killed in action on 10th July 1917. The 216th Company war diary entries for the 9th & 10th July are transcribed below.

Nieuport Bains – 9.7.17: Increase in hostile activity in the morning. Communication trenches to positions in ? Station and Maison de Marins blown in. A partially successful raid was made by the 2/K.R.R’s at night.

Nieuport Bains – 10.7.17: A very heavy hostile bombardment began at 4.0am and was carried on through the day. Towards midday an intense barrage was placed roughly about Nieuport Bains – Nieuport Railway. About 1pm that fire slackened somewhat and restarted on the right about 2pm gradually sweeping round to the coast again.

At about 5.30pm the fire became very intense. A barrage line was placed on the line Nieuport Bains - Nieuport Bains Station - the railway line.

At 7.50pm a message was received from the 1^st L.N. Lancs that our front line was now the W Bank of the Yser. Arrangements were at once made to visit the guns and see that everything was in order. The Station positions were found to be in good order but the teams were buried inside the building. Lieut P.G. Wilson performed excellent work in getting these guns into action in spite of the heavy bombardment going on. In the meantime 2/Lt Bullpitt had made his way to the gun W of the pier head. Here in conjunction an Officer of the 2^nd R Sussex, in charge of the 37mm guns. He organised a small strong point at the W end of the bridge nearest the sea.

Communication with the guns in the right subsector was entirely cut off by a heavy barrage along the only line of communication. All reserve men were called up with instructions to relieve on the right & reinforce on the left. Men were also borrowed temporarily with one Officer of No 2 M.G.Coy who had lost all their guns. These however were not wanted eventually. By midnight matters were settling down but the whole of the new front line was all connected right along.

Military History

Sidney is listed as dying of wounds on 29th Septemeber 1917. He was buried at Bard Cottage Cemetery which, according to the CWGC website (see above), was not used by any sort of medical unit for burials and it is therefore presumed that he died shortly after being wounded.

The 2nd/1st Battery war diary (126th Brigade, RHA) does not contain an entry for the 29th nor does it have a list of casualties. The only war diary entries for the period were on the 26th & 30th September and they are transcribed below, HQ was at map reference 28.A.21.b.7.4. Also transcribed is an Obituary from the Stratford Herald.

NNE of Poperinghe - 26.9.1917: 31 reinforcements were posted to the Brigade to replace casualties and were attached to the 2/1 Warwick RHA.

NNE of Poperinghe - 30.9.1917: Lt Col C.C. Gifford & HQ staff took over temporary command of left group from Lt Col Odon & HQ staff.

Stratford Herald Friday 19th October 1917
BOMBARDIER S.A. HOWKINS

The name of Bombardier Sidney A. Howkins of the 2nd 1st Warwickshire Brigade R.H.A has to be added to the local death roll, news having been received that he passed away in France on 29th September from wounds received in action. Howkins was only 26 years of age and was in the Territorials when war broke out. He has served with the colours for nearly three years.

He was a smart soldier, very popular with the members of the Battery. A short while back he was gassed but recovered and returned to his post. Howkins was expecting leave to come to Stratford for the purpose of getting married but the stern necessity of war kept him at duty's call and it was in the great cause that he was mortally wounded.

The sympathy of our readers must go out to the family two members of whom have made the supreme sacrifice.