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 | Campaign Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
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| France & Flanders | 1914 Star, British War & Victory Medals | Poelcapelle British Cemetery |
| Arrived in Theatre | Bravery & Conduct Medals | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 6 Oct 1914 in France | ~ | Leamington Spa War Memorial |
| Leamington St. John's Memorial | ||
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Died | Date and Place Enlisted | |
| First Battle of Ypres | 1911 in Warwick | |
| Place of Death | Date Commissioned | Previous Regiments or Units |
| near Broodseinde | 17 Oct 1914 from L/Sgt in Royal Welsh Fusiliers | L/Sgt 10733 Royal Welsh Fusiliers |
| (Gazette) |
Circumstances of Death
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Arthur is listed with the CWGC as being killed in action on 20th October 1914 as a 2nd Lt with the 1st King's Liverpool Regt, which was 3 days after he was Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant with the same (see links above). However we believe that Arthur never actually served with the Liverpool Regiment as he was killed before he had the chance to join them. All records show that he was killed whilst still serving with at Lance Sergeant 10733, 1st Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (RWF). Therefore we have transcribed the 1st Bn RWF war diary for the period 20th to 22nd October below. You can find the 1st King's Liverpool war diary for the same period by clicking here and using the Filters [search] fields. RWF War Diary 20 Oct 1914Near Nieuwe Molen - 20 Oct 1914: It soon became evident that our attack was contemplated by the enemy and soon after 9am the hostile artillery opened on the position. The German infantry also advanced but in no very great numbers. The enemy’s intention quite obviously not to carry the position by assault but to render it untenable by shell fire. During the first part of the day our line was prolonged along Passendaele road by part of 3rd Cavalry Division with 2 Coys 2/Queens Regt connecting their line to that of 1/RWF but at 6.30pm the Queens were ordered to reoccupy their original line running from X roads just N of N in Nieuwe Molen [ref Trench Map]. One Company of 2/R. Warwickshire Regt was now sent forward to 1/RWF to act as a support , the whole of 1/RWF having been used up in the trenches. Heavy shell and rifle fire continued up till 10pm and intermittently throughout the night. At the end of the day British troops had come up on either flank of the 7th Division and the enemy’s attack had nowhere broken the line of defence. The urgency for continuing to hold the line was pointed out by Brigade HQ. RWF War Diary 21 Oct 1914Near Nieuwe Molen - 21 Oct 1914: Enemy’s attack recommenced at daylight and their line having now pushed up to within 100 x [yards] in some places of the trenches their artillery was able to range in these with extreme accuracy and many trenches were demolished by shells bursting actually in the parapet – many casualties were caused in this manner. At 9am the M Gun Section 2/R Warwickshire Regt was sent up to left of RWF line to replace the Regimental Machine Gun section both whose guns were out of action. Fire was heavy all day and supports were very scarce and could only be got up to the ? ? when available. The supply of ammunition was also most difficult. 3.30pm a fresh message arrived urging necessity for holding the line intact at all costs. Most of the trenches were now untenable as the Enemy’s heavy artillery had blown them in and at about 6pm the line was broken in places. Parties of B and D Coys were taken prisoner owing to their refusal to leave the trenches when those on their flanks were destroyed. A secondary line about 250 x in rear was taken up and all available troops organised for its defence. The enemy did not press his advantage and when orders were received to withdraw to Ecksternest at 1.30am [22nd] the movement was carried out without difficulty. On arrival at Ecksternest the Battalion paraded as follows – 6 Officers and 206 NCO’s & men. The Bn was now in reserve. Killed: 6 Officers [names not transcribed] and 37 men Owing to records being lost in action these numbers are only approximate RWF War Diary 22 Oct 1914Ecksternest – 22 Oct 1914: At 9am the Bn moved forward to a farm at the R of Ecksternest where it remained until 4pm when it moved up to support the Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry who were holding a section of the new defensive line taken up after the withdrawal from the Zonnebeke line. This line entrenched S along the stream 1200 x E of the Hannebeck River to about where the stream disappears, thence SE to the junction of 5 roads and finally S to Cheluvelt. The 1st/RWF was not engaged, the Yeomanry having been relieved and the Bn returned to its pn [position] in Reserve at 8pm. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
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| Jan - Mar Qtr 1889 in Leamington Spa | 21 Apr 1889 at Leamington, St John the Baptist |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| William (died 1912) and Helen Maria Ward | 37 Tachbrook Street, Leamington Spa |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1889 - 42 Shrubland Street, Leamington Spa | 1901 - School age (12yrs) |
| 1891 - 42 Shrubland Street, Leamington Spa | 1911 - Gardener |
| 1901 - 7 Warneford Terrace, Leamington Spa | 1911 - Soldier in Royal Welsh Fusiliers |
| 1911 - 37 Tachbrook Street, Leamington Spa | 1914 - Soldier in Royal Welsh Fusiliers |
| 1914 - 37 Tachbrook Street, Leamington Spa | |
