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 Star, British War & Victory Medals | Thiepval Memorial |
| First Arrived in Theatre | Bravery & Conduct Medals | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 26 Oct 1914 in France with London Regt | ~ | Leamington College for Boys |
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Died | Date and Place Enlisted | Other War Memorials |
| Battle of the Somme | 10 Sep 1914 in London | NatWest Bank Roll of Honour |
| Place of Death | Date Commissioned | Previous Regiments or Units |
| near Lesboeufs | 01 Jan 1915 as 2nd Lt, London Regiment | Pte 2639 28th Bn London Regiment |
Service History
- 10 Sep 1914 - Enlisted as Private 2639 Eltham, 28th Battalion, London Regiment
- 01 Jan 1915 - Commissioned as 2nd Lt from London Regiment Cadets (Gazette)
- 24 Feb 1916 - Promoted to Lieutenant in Royal West Surrey Regt (Gazette)
Circumstances of Death
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Charles is listed as being killed in action on 3rd November 1916, a fact confirmed by the war diary. The 1st Battalion war diary entry for the 3rd November is transcribed below. Lesbouefs - 3 Nov 1916: The orders for the attacks on Baritska and Mirage [trenches] are attached. The field artillery barrage was carried out by the French. From information obtained by means of observation it was seen that the barrage was not effective. The NW end of the trenches was not touched and the shooting on the remainder of the trench was mostly over. The barrage lifted at 3.50pm instead of 4.00pm. At 4.00pm the battalion left the trenches and went forward in splendid style in spite of the adverse conditions of the trenches and weather. Artillery observing officers spoke very highly of the manner in which the men advanced. After getting about halfway to the first objective the advance was held up by heavy rifle and machine gun fire from the left front. Most of the officers became casualties [and] the casualties in other ranks were heavy. When it was found that no further headway could be made the three companies withdrew and occupied their original positions. The following list of casualties amongst officers: Killed 2/Lt’s Perkins, Gross & Lloyd. Wounded and Missing Lt C W Eltham. Wounded 2/Lt’s Norman, Stranger, Austin & Langhorn. The casualties amongst other ranks is difficult to fix the exact numbers as the Bn remained in action until 6th. The total casualties between 2nd & 6th were: Killed 41, wounded 131, missing 54, of these 18 have been traced and it is not believed that any were taken prisoner. During the night orders were received for the two front Company’s to be withdrawn to the neighborhood of German Trench to permit a further bombardment of Baritska trench the company was also ordered to withdraw to the sunken road at Bn HQ In order to be kept as fresh as possible for further operations on the 5th. All the reports received from companies spoke of the exhausted conditions of the men owing to the state of the weather and the ground. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| Oct Qtr 1886 in Lewisham District | 18 Mar 1888 at Leamington All Saints |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| William Cooper and Emily Eltham | 18 Messaline Avenue, Acton, London |
| Schools | Colleges |
| Leamington College for Boys | ~ |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1886 - Catford, London | 1891 - School age |
| 1888 - Milverton, Leamington Spa | 1901 - Student at Leamington College for Boys |
| 1891 - Not found for Charles or parents | 1911 - Bank Clerk at NatWest, Oxford Street |
| 1901 - Northumberland Road, Leamington Spa | 1914 - Bank Clerk at NatWest, Oxford Street |
| 1911 - 18 Messaline Avenue, Acton, London | |
| 1916 - 18 Messaline Avenue, Acton, London |
