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 |
|---|---|---|
| France & Flanders | 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals | Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial |
| First Arrived in Theatre | Bravery & Conduct Medals | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 19 May 1915 in France | Queen & King's South Africa Medals & 4 clasps | Leamington Spa War Memorial |
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Died | Date and Place Enlisted or Mobilised | Other War Memorials |
| Local Trench Warfare at Ypres | August 1914? in Warwick | |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | |
| Canal Bank, Ypres | Pte 5560 Northamptonshire Regt | |
Previous Service History
- 22 Oct 1898 - Enlisted in the Northamptonshire Regiment in Northampton
- 21 Oct 1899 - Posted to South Africa
- 3 May 1901 - Posted back to UK
- 8 Jan 1902 - Posted back to South Africa
- 9 Dec 1902 - Posted to India
- 12 Jan 1907 - Posted back to UK
- 21 Oct 1910 - Retired after 12 year service term and placed in Army Reserve
Circumstances of Death
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Alfred is listed as being killed in action on 8th October 1915. The 1st Battalion war diary entries for the period 7th to 9th July are transcribed below. Trenches - Canal Bank - 7 Jul 1915: Major Forster sent to take command of left sector, 11th Brigade & Major Bannerman went later to assist him. C Coy heavily shelled, relieved by D Coy in evening. Two machine guns sent up to relieve Rifle Brigade. 2/Lt Keller wounded. Casualties 3 other ranks killed, 2 wounded, 1 missing. Whole Battalion put under orders of 11th Infantry Brigade but remained in present position. Trenches - Canal Bank - 8 Jul 1915: D Coy heavily shelled in morning. 11th Bde heavily engaged all day fighting mostly with hand grenades. 1 Platoon B Coy sent up to reinforce D Coy whose bombers were sent up to front line trenches. 9.30pm: B Coy relieved D Coy in support, A Coy were put in reserve at Hulls Farm to 11th Bde. C & D Coys were relieved by 147th Brigade & went into bivouac at Elverdinghe Chateau. Major Forster and Major Bannerman rejoined at 2am being relieved by Colonel Palk, Hampshire Regt. Casualties: 2 Lieut Lewis (4th S. Staffs) & 2nd Lieut Johnson killed. Other ranks 8 killed, 54 wounded. 2nd Lieut J.H. Bennett wounded (shell shock). Elverdinghe Chateau - 9 Jul 1915: Left for Houtkerque at 8pm. 13 miles arrived 1.30am & went into bivouacs about 2 miles from the village. 2 machine guns handed over to 147th Brigade. Casualties A & B Coys: Other ranks 2 killed; 16 wounded, 3 missing. Reinforcements: 38 other ranks joined |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| Dec 1874 in Rugby | 17 Dec 1874 at Rugby, St Andrew |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Charles Henry and Sarah Elizabeth Higham | Both Deceased |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1874 - Rugby | 1881 - Scholar |
| 1881 - 2 Clifton Road, Rugby | 1891 - Railway Booking Hall Assistant |
| 1891 - 3 Clifton Road, Rugby | 1898 - Newsagent |
| 1901 - Army Barracks, South Africa | 1898 - (Oct) Soldier in Northamptonshire Regt |
| 1911 - Not found | 1910 - Army Reservist & Pensioner |
Following his retirement from the Army we have not been able to trace Alfred's whereabouts. He is not the Alfred Charles Higham born in
Wigan, Lancs as suggested in some family trees.
Further we have not been able to establish any connection for Alfred to Leamington Spa.
