South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 40279 Ernest Edward TROTMAN - 4th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment

Accidentally Killed in action on Tuesday 17th April 1917 aged 36


Military History

     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders British War & Victory Medals Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
After 1st May 1916 ~ Stratford on Avon WW1 Memorial
    Stratford Holy Trinity Church 
Action, Battle or Other Reason Died Date and Place Enlisted Stratford Midland Railway Memorial 
Battle of Arras 7 Mar 1916 in Stratford on Avon  
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units Other War Memorials
Ronville  Pte 17977 Royal Warwickshire Regt ~
     

Circumstances of Death

Alfred is listed as being accidentally killed in action on 17th April 1917. He was originally buried in Blangy British Military Cemetery until his remains were moved to Cabaret-Rouge Cemetery after the end of the war.

The 4th Battalion war diary entries for the period 15th to 18th April 1917 are transcribed below along with a brief obituary in the Stratford Herald which reveals that Alfred was killed when a house wall collapsed on him. It is likely that he was billeted in a damaged house in Ronville. Ernest's Army Pension Card also states that he was "accidentally killed by the fall of a wall whilst m a.s."

Ronville – 15.4.1917: The Bn was relieved by 2 Coys of 2nd S.W.B and 1 Coy 1st Inniskilling Fusiliers. Relief complete by 2am when Bn marched back to billets in Ronville. Day spent cleaning up checking stores etc. Coys went to baths in turn.

Ronville – 16.4.1917: A quiet day resting, rain in the evening.

Ronville – 17.4.1917: Battalion warned to be ready to move at 2 hours notice. Dull weather with showers.

Ronville – 18.4.1917: A few shells on Arras and outskirts from H.V. Gun. No casualties.


Stratford Herald - Friday 11th May 1917
PRIVATE E. E. TROTMAN

A letter received by Mrs. Trotman of Shakespeare Street stated that her son Private E. E. Trotman of Worcester Regiment was killed on 17th April by the collapse of a wall in one of the shell stricken towns of France. His body was interred in a small cemetery [Blangy] close by and his platoon companions erected a cross to his memory.


 
 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
Oct Qtr 1879 in Stratford on Avon 9 Jun 1880 in Stratford on Avon
   
Parents Names Abode
John Alfred (deceased) and Sarah Ann 54 Shakespeare Street, Stratford on Avon 
   
Wife and Marriage Details Children
Florence Trotman nee Hobday Archibald Ernest born 7 Feb 1906
Oct Qtr 1903 at the Congregational Church, Stratford on Avon  Irene Laura born 22 Apr 1910
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1879 - Stratford on Avon  1891 - Scholar
1881 - 54 Shakespeare Street, Stratford on Avon 1901 - Saddlers apprentice
1891 - 54 Shakespeare Street, Stratford on Avon 1911 - [Railway] Engine Cleaner - Midland Junction Railway
1901 - 54 Shakespeare Street, Stratford on Avon 1915 - Journeyman Baker (Probate Record)
1911 - 11 John Street, Stratford on Avon