South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project
The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One |
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1s |
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Military History |
| Theatre of War | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| France and Flanders | British War & Victory Medals | Namps-au-Val British Cemetery |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| After 1 Jan 1916 in France | ~ | Hillmorton |
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Enlisted | Other War Memorials |
| German Spring Offensive | August 1914 at Rugby | |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | |
| At 41st, 50th or 55th CCS at Namps-au-Val | Pte 11893 Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry | |
Which Unit was Fred a Member of:
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His register of effects states that he was a member of the 12th Entrenching Battalion, late of 14th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment. His Soldiers Who Died in the Great War record states that he was a member of 14th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment. His CWGC record states that he was "Gloucestershire Regiment 12th Entrenching Bn., late 14th Bn attached to 7th Bn. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)". Research reveals that the14th Battalion Gloucestershire was disbanded on 11 Feb 1918 and 12 officers and 250 men transferred to 13th Battalion. [The Long Long Trail]. This is confirmed by War Diary [WO 95/2488/1], the last entry in which is dated 14 Feb 1918 and the entry on 11 Feb 1918 states "12 officers and 250 men transferred to 13th Gloucester Regt. The remainder of the Battalion marched to Proven... and then marched to Surplus Wing II Corps Reinforcement Camp. The Long Long Trail website tells us that the 12th Entrenching Battalion was formed from the surplus of four Service Battalions: 14th Gloucestershire Regiment; 16th Cheshire Regiment; 20th Lancashire Fusiliers and 23rd Manchester Regiment. Appears to have been formed at II Corps Reinforcement Camp at Merckeghem. III Corps reported that the battalion was merged into the 7th Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) on 1 April 1918 when they were in the lines near Bois de Hangard SE of Amiens. The 12th Entrenching Battalion war diary [WO 95/761/5] consists of only a report written 7 years later by Lt. Col. W. Hodson of Liverpool which confirms, more or less the above information, except that its states that the 12th Entrenching were absorbed by the 7th RWK's at Genetelles, however we know from the 7th Bn war diary that they did not reach Gentelles until 5 Apr 1918 by which time the two battalions has already merged and Fred had been killed. In conclusion it seems that Fred was a member 7th Royal West Kent Regiment when he was wounded and then died of his wounds on 4th April 1918. |
Circumstances of Death
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Fred is listed as dying of wounds on 4 Apr 1918 and was buried at Namps-au-Val cemetery which at the time was used by the 41st, 50th and 55th Casualty Clearing Stations which had arrived there at the start of the German Spring Offensive. The 7th Battalion war diary - Report on Operations 1st/12th April 1918 - is partly transcribed below (up to the 4th). 7th Battn Royal West Kent Regiment Ref Map Sheet 62d. [Plot the following Map References on TMapper] 1st April 19181-4-18. Lieut-Col W Hodson MC Commanding 12th Entrenching Battn reported to 53rd Infantry Brigade at 9.30am, who ordered reorganisation of this Battn together with a Coy of the 7th R.W.Kent Regt, the whole to be called 7th R.W. Kent Rgt During the afternoon the line East of Bois de Hangard was reconnoitered and the Bttn less the R.W. Kent Coy relieved the 10th Essex Rgt in this Sector the same night. Dispositions. 3 Coys in front line, each finding their own supports and 1 Platoon composed of Cheshires attached to the R.W. Kent Coy in reserve at 62D.U.22.a.8.8. 8th E Surrys on left and 7th Bedfords on right. 2nd April 19182-4-18. Quiet night and forenoon. Received orders during the afternoon that in conjunction with the 54th Inf Bde, 7th R.W. Kent were to engage in an operation which had as its objective the pushing forward of our line to the crest running from V.13.cent to the Copse at V.19.a.8.4. 7th Bedfords were ordered to proceed along the right and reach the Copse from the rear. On arriving at this Copse to fire a succession of white Very Lights as a signal for 7thR.W. Kents to assault. The movement of the 7th Bedfords was to be covered by LG and rifle fire from a position which had to be taken up by the left Coy of the 7th R.W. Kent Rgt as near V.13.Cent as possible. This movement by the left Coy was observed by the enemy and some casualties were incurred in reaching this position. One Coy was detailed for the assault with another Coy supporting it. The assaulting Coy assembled along Bank in 62D.U.18.d.3.3 to 62D.U.24.b.3.6. The 7th Bedfords failed to reach the Copse and did not put up the signal, but the look-out man posted up a tree mistook a string of enemy white lights put up from near the Copse at 7.40pm for the pre-arranged signal and the assaulting waves went over. They were met by heavy machine gun fire but persisted in their advance until reaching a copse not marked on the map which they mistook for their objective. Here they remained and dug in. Our right flank being exposed, two platoons detailed beforehand for the purpose formed a defensive flank linking up with the unit on the right. Reorganising during the night. The R.W. Kent Coy who had come up during the evening took over the line held by the attacking Coy who withdrew as reserve Coy. 3rd April 19183-4-1918. At dawn enemy seen on our left engaged in work on their trench and dispersed with rifle fire. Heavy enemy T.M. bombardment in front of wood in U.18.d and V.13.a during afternoon and evening. During the night we improved existing posts and dug a fresh dog-leg trench from U.18.c.8.4 ti U.18.c.6.9 and from U.18.c.6.9 to U.18.c.8.4; also dug a trench from U.18.c.3.9 to U.17.d.9.13. Dispositions altered during the night; 2 Coys in front line, 1 Coy in support and 1 in reserve at U.17.d, less 1 platoon to U.22.a. 4th April 19184-4-18 At 5.0am heavy T.M. barrage all along our front followed by an enemy attack on the unit on our right At 6.30am enemy attacked left front Coy at about V.13.Cent but was driven back to his trenches by L.G. and rifle fire. Artillery active on both sides throughout the day, and enemy heavy T.M. falling all along our front. At 3.0pm enemy again attacked left front and were again driven back to their original positions, suffering heavy casualties. About 5.0pm enemy broke through unit on our left and came round N.E edge of wood in V.7.c, working through the wood and attempting to cut off our front line. Telephone communication between Battn HQ and front line broken. The line held out until their ammunition was expended, and narrowly escaped being cut off altogether. The reserve Coy were formed up along the line running W and E in U.17.f and U.18.e. The enemy at length broke through the S.W. edge of wood in U.18.d and to meet this the reserve Coy took up a line running N and S along the front of Bois de Hangard in U18.a and c. The enemy now opened with intense M.G. fire from N.W edge of wood in U.12.d and U.18.a. and caused heavy casualties. Aided by this M.G. fire our line was forced back through the wood in U.17.b and d and eventually our line was established along the road running N and S in U.17.a and c. It was now getting dark and the attack not being pressed further, re-organisation was proceeded with and touch established with units on right and left, being maintained throughout the night by patrols. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| Apr Qtr 1893 at Braunston (as Fred) | 18 Jun 1893 at Braunston, Northants (as Fred) |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| William Henry and Amy Alice Chambers | Hillmorton |
| Wife | Marriage Details |
| Julia Amy Chambers nee | 22 Apr 1916 at St. Peter's Church, Highgate Hill |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1893 - Braunston, Northants | 1911 - Boot repairer |
| 1901 - High Street, Braunston | 1916 - Soldier |
| 1911 - Abbotts Farm, Hillmorton | |
| 1916 - 22 Vorley Road, Highgate | |
| 1918 - Hillmorton Road, Paddox Estate, Rugby | |
- Fred's birth and baptism record both record his name simply as Fred
- He is also known as Frederick Lewis Chambers in some military records
- Brother of Charles Chambers who also fell
