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 | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
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| France & Flanders | British War & Victory Medals | Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemertery |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 24 Jul 1916 in France | ~ | Newbold on Avon |
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Enlisted | Other War Memorials |
| Battle of the Somme | After 30th July 1915 in Rugby | |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | |
| Ovillers | 135629 Royal Field Artillery | |
Circumstances of Death
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William is listed as being killed in action on 30 Jul 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. Unfortunately no war diary exists for the 11th Labour Battalion and it was a general rule of thumb that Labour units did not need to maintain one. We do, now, know that he was one of 36 men who were killed by a single shell at Ovillers (see below). We are grateful to Ross Keel and the Researchers at The Rifles - Berkshire & Wiltshire Museum for the following information about the 11th Battalion that they have kindly supplied to us. Brief History of the 11th BnThe 11th Battalion was formed on the 3rd June 1916 when the 10th battalion was full. The first postings beginning with number 24358 were on the 2nd June 1916. Thereafter most of the men classified for labour duties went to the 11th although a few went to the 3rd and other regiments in Southern Command. The postings were reciprocated from number 25227 when men were posted from the Glosters and DCLI to the 11th.When the 10th Battalion was mobilised they were short of establishment due to a measles epidemic and 20 men were sent from the 11th to the 10th to make up the numbers. Le Havre Labour Corps Captain Richard Bertram Grosvenor the CO of the 11th BnCaptain Richard Bertram Grosvenor
On the outbreak of war he at once came home to serve, enlisted on October 21st, 1914, in the 21st Battn. (4th Public Schools) of the Royal Fusiliers, and, on January 1st, 1915, received a commission as Temporary Lieutenant in the 10th Battalion. of the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment. From March, 1916, till the following June he was attached to a Garrison Battalion of the Dorset Regiment, but on June 22nd he was transferred to the 11th (Labour) Battalion. of the Royal Berkshire Regiment as Lieutenant, and was promoted Temporary Captain on July 8th, 1916. He went to France with this Battalion on July 24th, 1916, and served with the 4th Army in the Battles of the Somme, till his health broke down as the result of shell shock near Ovillers in October, when thirty-six of his men were killed by one shell. He tried to carry on, though urged to go into hospital, but dysentery being added to his troubles and his nerves being quite unequal to the strain, he was compelled to give in and was invalided home. He resigned his commission on November 15th, 1916, but his health appeared to improve so rapidly and he was so keen to serve that he enlisted on November 28th, 1916, in a railway unit of the Royal Engineers. He went out to France on March 21st, 1917, and was employed on railway work at Rouen till his health once more broke down and he was invalided home January 2nd, 1918. He never regained his health, was discharged and granted full pension in September, 1919, and was under medical care, mainly in war hospitals, until his death in a nursing home at Sunbury on April 17th, 1921. Picture Courtesy and Copyright of The Rifles - Berkshire & Wiltshire Museum - Please respect copyright Picture of the 11th BattalionThe above picture is believed to be that of the 11th (Labour) Battalion of the Royal Berkshire Regiment and is Courtesy and Copyright of The Rifles - Berkshire & Wiltshire Museum - Please respect copyright. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| Jul Qtr 1897 in Lutterworth District | |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| William and Annie Neal | Newbold on Avon |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1898 - Lutterworth | 1911 - Farm Labourer aged 13 |
| 1901 - Cottage, Village, Newbold on Avon | |
| 1911 - Newbold on Avon | |
| 1915 - Newbold on Avon | |