South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 306803 Percy William SMITH - 2nd/8th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Killed in action on Sunday 27th August 1916 aged 23


Military History

     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders British War & Victory Medals Loos Memorial
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
11 Jul 1916 in Rouen, France ~ Studley War Memorial
     
Action, Battle or Other Reason Died     Date and Place Enlisted Other War Memorials  
Battle of the Somme 22 Nov 1915 in Stratford in Avon (to reserve) ~
     
Place of Death Date and Place Mobilised Previous Regiments or Units 
Riez Balleul 25 Mar 1916 in Warwick Previous service # 5187  
     

Circumstances of Death

In his service record Percy is listed as missing and presumed dead on 27th August 1916. However the war diary suggests that he went missing on 24th August and his body was found 25th August 1916. The 2nd/8th Battalion war diary entries for the period 24th to 28th August 1916 are transcribes below.

Riez Bailleul – 24/8/1916: Working parties as previous days.

11pm: B Coy raided enemy lines trenches about M.36.c.9.5, a Bangalore torpedo was exploded to form gap. Enemy trenches entered by Lt. G.E. Parsons & 2/Lt A.L. Prosser who, having expended their store of bombs returned. Casualties: Wounded OR 8; Missing OR 4; Wounded at duty OR 4.

Riez Bailleul – 25/8/1916: Company training.

11.45am: Exploration of No Mans Land by Capt Lefroy & Lt Watson with 32 men to investigate missing but of 4 missing 1 returned wounded, 2 found dead, 1 still missing.

Orders to move to Robermetz received.

Robermetz – 26/8/1918: Battalion moved by route-march to Robermetz. Headquarters at 36a.K.24.d.4.7

Robermetz /Meaville - 27/8/1916: 10am - Church parade (2/6th & 2/8th Warwicks) on the Town Square, Meaville

3pm 2/Lt Lloyd & 10 men proceeded to sniping course at Le Sart range

Robermetz – 28/8/1918: Maj. W.E. Phillips, Capt T.E. Lefroy; Lt G.E. Parsons; 2 Lt T. Entwhistle and 4 NCO’s attended B.E. course at Meurillon. Course to last 6 working days.

Company training.



 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
Oct Qtr 1892 in Great Alne 18 Dec 1892 at St. Mary's, Great Alne
   
Parents Names Abode
William (deceased) and Aminda Smith Redditch Road, Studley 
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1892 - Great Alne 1901 - School age
1901 - Fleece Hill, Studley 1911 - Fish Hook Maker 
1911 - Redditch Road, Studley  1915 - Fish Hook Filer  
1915 - Redditch Road, Studley