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South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Sergeant R/4003 Albert William GRIFFIN MM - 12th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps

Died of wounds on Wednesday 28th February 1917 aged 23

Military History
     
Theatre of War Campaign Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte
     
Arrived in Theatre Bravery & Conduct Medals SWFHS Area Memorials
23 July 1915 in Havre, France Military Medal (Gazette) Leamington Spa War Memorial
    Leamington St. John's Memorial
Action, Battle or Other Reason Died Date and Place Enlisted  
Operations on the Ancre - 1917 9 Sep 1914 in Rugby  
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units Other War Memorials
2nd/2nd London CCS at Meaulte ~  ~
     

Service History

  • 9 Sep 1914 - Enlisted in Leamington Spa
  • 27 Oct 1914 - Promoted to L/Corporal
  • 7 Dec 1914 - Promoted to L/Corporal
  • 23 Jul 1915 - Arrived in France at Havre
  • 24 Sep 1915 - Promoted to Sergeant
  • 26 Feb 1917 - Wounded in action at Carnoy, suffering gun shot wounds to the buttocks & thigh
  • 28 Feb 1917 - Died of wounds at the 2/2nd London Casualty Clearing Station in Meaulte

Circumstances of Death

Albert is listed as dying from gun shot wounds received in action on 28 February 1917 at the 2/2nd London Casualty Clearing Station, he was buried at Grove Town Cemetery in Meaulte. He had been wounded on the 26th February near Carnoy. The 12th Battalion war diary entries for the 24th to 26th February along with an obitiuary carried by the Leamington Spa Courier are transcribed below.

War Diary Entries 25th to 27th Feb

No 4 Camp, Carnoy - 24 Feb 1917: Rehearsing attack. Parade & Inspection

No 4 Camp, Carnoy - 25 Feb 1917: Owing to report that enemy were withdrawing and evacuating trenches attack preparations cancelled. 2 battalion patrols of 20 men each, including bombers & Lewis Gunners under 2/Lt’s Harris & McDonald were sent up to front line at night to reconnoitre. They patrolled in vicinity? Of Ersatz Pt & found enemy still in occupation. Patrols returned safely with exception of Lt Harris and 2 men missing.

No 4 Camp, Carnoy - 26 Feb 1917: 12.30pm Moved to front line stopping at Guillemont for 1½ for tea. Relieved 12th R.B. [Rifle Brigade]. Relief completed by 1am [27th]. A few casualties from rifle grenades & shelling.

Disposition: C of right; D in centre; B on left, A Coy in reserve. Fairly quiet but some shelling and trench mortaring.

Leamington Courier Obituary

"The officer commanding the company in which Sergt. Albert Griffin, K.E.R., served has written to Mr. and Mrs. Griffin, 96, Tachbrook Street, informing them that their son was wounded on Feb. 26th, and that he afterwards died from the effect of the wounds as stated in last week's issue. The officer further says: "Your son was a splendid and fearless soldier, and one of the best N.C.O.'s in the Battalion—always cheerful even under the most trying circumstances, and ever ready to help another in distress. His loss is greatly felt by the whole Company."

Leamington Spa Courier - 30th March 1917.
 
 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
21 Feb 1894 in Bishops Itchington 10 Jun 1894 at Bishops' Itchington, St. Michaels           
   
Parents Names Abode
William Francis and Rose Griffin 96 Tachbrook Street, Leamington Spa
   
Schools Colleges
Shrubland Street School, Leamington ~
   
Address History Employment History
1894 - Bishops Itchington 1901 - Scholar
1901 - In School, Bishops Itchington 1911 - Apprentice Ironmanger
1911 - 90 Tachbrook Street, Leamington Spa 1915 - Ironmongers at Warings Ironmongers 
1914 - 96 Tachbrook Street, Leamington Spa  
   

Their is confusion in military records over Albert's first name with some using Arthur and others Albert, however he was born as Albert 

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