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 in Which Died | Campaign Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
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| France & Flanders | 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals | Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery |
| First Arrived in Theatre | Bravery & Conduct Medals | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 22 Sep 1915 in France | ~ | Leamington Spa War Memorial |
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Died | Date and Place Enlisted | Other War Memorials |
| Battle of the Canal du Nord | 1915 in Warwick | ~ |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | |
| near La Vacquerie | ~ | |
Circumstances of Death
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Harry is listed as being killed in action on 29th September 1918. The 1st Battalion war diary entry for that day is transcribed below and Harry's name is included in a Battalion casualty list La Vacquerie - 29 Sep 1917: At 1.30am the Battalion moved from Beaucamp to assembly positions at the time of Surrey Road in R.14.a & b. The attack was to commence at 3.30am and the Battalion had only just reached the assembly positions when the barrage opened. The objective was the La Vacquerie Road in R.21.b & d. The Battalion was opposed by heavy M.G fire and after reaching Newport Trench found both flanks in the air – 17 machine guns were taken in this trench. After daybreak attempts were made to get into touch with units on our right and left, and it was found that the New Zealand Division on the left had gone out of their direction and units of this Division had reached Fern Trench in R.21.c. The 12th Gloucesters on our right were in Friendly Trench and Units of the 15th Brigade were between our Battalion and the 12th Gloucesters. The line commenced to move forward again at about 2pm. The Battalion moved forward and occupied Cornwall Trench and Prentice Trench in R.14.d and patrols were established in the SW edge of La Vacquerie. The 15th Brigade pushed forward and occupied Fern Trench, but elements of the enemy were still holding out in Jam Trench. The line was established in these positions and preparations were made for the 15th Brigade to through the following morning. Over 100 prisoners were taken during the operation, mostly of Machine Gun Coys of the Jager Division and at least 30 MG’s. Our casualties were roughly 75 other ranks. Lt Girling & 2/Lt Collins were killed and 2/Lt’s Anderson & Robbins wounded. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| Jul Qtr 1888 in Bedworth | |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Henry and Mary Burks [aka Birks] | Leamington Spa |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1888 - Bedworth | 1901 - School age (12) |
| 1891 - Barrack Row, Whitnash | 1911 - Platelayers Labourer |
| 1901 - Whitnash (no street name on census) | 1913 - Labourer for GWR |
| 1911 - 3 Barracks, Whitnash | |
| 1913 - Leamington Spa | |
Member of the National Union Of Railwaymen in Leamington Spa
Name Varitions: Harry's recorded name on his birth registration is Harry Burks however we have seen the following variations in records
- Harry Burks (1901 census & birth registration)
- Henry Birks (1891 & 1911 census)
- Henry Borks (military)
- H Burk (CWGC)