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 | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| France and Flanders | 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals | Tanney British Cemetery |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 18 Jul 1915 in France | ~ | Shipston on Stour |
| Shipston Council School | ||
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Enlisted | Shipston Adult School |
| Hundred Days Offensive | August 1914 at Birmingham | |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | Other War Memorials |
| Le Sart sector | L/Cpl 7216 - 10th Bn, Royal Warwicks | |
Circumstances of Death
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Samuel is listed by the CWGC and other military records as being killed in action on 19 Aug 1918. However a letter to his wife from his 2nd Lt (see below) states he was killed on the 20th and a Grave Registration report on the CWGC website states he was killed on 23 Aug 1918. We are assuming that the Grave Registration report is incorrect and the War Diary entries covering the period overnight 18th/19th and overnight 19/20th are transcribed below. War Diary 18 AugLe Sart Sector 18th Aug: Right Front Battalion. W and Y front Coys, X & Z Support Coys. At 3.30am W & Y Coys covered by scouts pushed forward about 700 yards and took up a position running N & S from K.28.a.5.4 to K.34.a.7.3 where they consolidated and remained for the day and night. At 11.30pm Enemy shelled new position with 77 [mm] and 4.5 ["] and inflicted a few casualties. Casualties 2/Lt A. W.N. Taylor and 4 O.R. War Diary 19 AugLe Sart Sector 19th Aug: Right Front Battalion. W and Y Coys followed up their previous day advance and took up a position along the W side of river BOURRE running N and S from SAW MILLS. They remained here for the day and sent patrols across the river to MERVILLE at dusk. ENEMY gas shells fell. Casualties 16 O.R.s War Diary 20 AugLe Sart Sector 20th Aug: Our patrols returned at 1.15am and reported the town of MERVILLE was not occupied by the enemy. W and Y Coys then crossed the river at 5am and established a line N/S. At 7am X and Z Coys went through the front line. Coys crossed the LYS canal and establish a line E of the canal. Enemy heavily shelled the area with HE and gas and inflicted several casualties. Casualties 13 Newspaper ReportOfficial intimation has been received from the War Office by Mrs S Begley, New-street, Shipston-on-Stour, that her husband Sergt Sam Begley was killed in France on August 20. Sergt Begley joined the forces in 1914 and went to France in July 1915. After nearly two years service in France he was wounded in the head in May 1917. On his recovery he went to France again on March 31, 1918. He had seen a lot of fighting. He was 26 years of age, and since joining the army he has married, and leaves a widow and one son. In a letter received by Mrs Begley from the officer in command of the platoon, sympathising with her in her bereavement he says – “It is my sad task to tell you of your husband’s death. We moved forward at dawn to follow up the enemy, and at 7:30am were moving forward in extended order. At about 8am an enemy machine gun opened fire on us, and unfortunately your husband was hit in the forehead by one of the bullets. He was immediately tended to by my splendid stretcher-bearers, but without avail, as he died 15 minutes later. However, I can assure you that he felt absolutely no pain and probably never knew that he was hit. He died at about 8:15am on Tuesday August 20th and was taken to battalion headquarters. I believe he will be or has been properly buried in a cemetery. I cannot tell you where he fell, but I will keep the map reference, and will probably write to you again when I get to England. He was my constant companion on my night vigils in the line, and his conduct and help at all times left nothing to be desired; in addition he gained the respect and admiration of all officers and men in the whole company. The commanding officer has just been in and endorsed all of my statements. In conclusion, may I extend my heartfelt sympathy, and if I can give you any further information I shall be very pleased to do so. F J Wells 2nd Lieut” |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| 5 Jan 1892 at Shipston on Stour | 6 Feb 1892 at Shipston on Stour |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Samuel and Emma Begley | Horn Lane, Shipston-on-Stour |
| Wife and Marriage Details | Children |
| Olive Begley nee Abbotts | Samuel Frank born 31 Mar 1916 |
| 9 Mar 1916 at Upper Swell | William born 19 Sep 1918 |
| Schools | Colleges |
| Shipston Council School 1894 to 1904 | ~ |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1892 - Mill Street, Shipston on Stour | 1894 - Scholar |
| 1901 - Moreton Terrace, Telegraph Street, Shipston | 1901 - Scholar |
| 1911 - 1 Telegraph Street, Shipston on Stour | 1911 - General Labourer |
| 1914 - New Street, Shipston-on-Stour | 1914 - Builder for B. Ward & Sons |
| 1918 - Flagstone Cottage, Upper Swell, Stow on the Wold | 1916 - Lance Corporal in 10th Battalion |
- Our thank to Mike Wells and the British Legion's Every One Remembered website.
