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 |
|---|---|---|
| France & Flanders | 1914 Star, British War & Victory Medals | Bard Cottage Cemetery |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 31 Oct 1914 in France | ~ | Stratford on Avon WW1 Memorial |
| Stratford Holy Trinity Church | ||
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Died | Date and Place Mobilised | Stratford Cemetery Memorial |
| Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) | September 1914 in Stratford on Avon | |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | Other War Memorials |
| near Poperinghe | Original service # 207 | |
| Sidney was a member of the RHA TA |
Circumstances of Death
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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 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. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| Jan Qtr 1891 in Loxley | |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Henry Edward and Esther Howkins | 41 Henley Street, Stratford on Avon |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1891 - Village, Loxley, Stratford On Avon | 1901 - Scholar |
| 1901 - 37 Mansell Street, Stratford On Avon | 1911 - Gardener |
| 1911 - 41 Henley Street, Stratford on Avon | |
| 1917 - 41 Henley Street, Stratford on Avon | |
- Sidney's older brother William Henry Howkins also fell in the war.
