South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project
The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One |
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1s |
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Military History |
| Theatre of War | Military Medal | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| France and Flanders | Bravery in the Field - Gazetted 19 Nov 1917 | Doullens Communal Cemetery Ext |
| Arrived in Theatre | Campaign Medals | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 13 Aug 1914 at | 1914 Star & Clasp, British War & Victory Medals | Wolston: St. Margaret's | War Memorial |
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Mobilised | Other War Memorials |
| German Spring Offensive | Aug 1914 in London | |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | |
| Doullens | 1st Battalion, Royal Berkshire | |
Circumstances of Death
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Joseph is listed as dying of wounds on 5 Apr 1918 however his CWGC Grave Burial Report gives the date as 4 Apr 1918. We have not been able to identify the exact time and place that he was wounded and it should be born in mind that both the 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital and the 2/1st Northumbrian Casualty Clearing Station were stationed at Doullens and he could have been wounded during late March. In this case we are assuming that he was wounded during the Operations of 2nd - 7th April 1918 the war diary for the period 2nd to 5th April 1918 is transcribed below. 2nd Apr 1918Left Warloy 7-30pm and relieved the 7th Border Regiment in right Battalion area of left Brigade sector - 35th Brigade on right (dividing line Albert - Bouzincourt Road) 9th Battalion Royal Fusiliers on left (junction about W.21.a.8.8) 3rd Apr 1918Line Organised as follows: B Coy - Right front Coy Line Quiet 5th Apr 19184am - Received warning of probability of attack at dawn 7am - Heavy Barrage came down on Batteries on line in front of Bouzincourt and on front sytem of trenches. Intense barrage opened further south where attack developed earlier but spread further north and culminated at 9.30am in intense T.M. [Trench Mortar] barrage and all calibre shells on whole system 9-30am - Enemy launched attacks along whole Brigade front. These were repulsed at all points. Enemy advanced in close formation 3 different times against out left and centre Companies but were repulsed each time with the help of the 9th Royal Fusilier 10am - the situation appeared to be normal 12 noon - a heavy barrage again opened up on whole system and enemy succeeded in entering trenches held by centre and left Companies. The position of right Company and I Platoon D Company remained intact. 2.30pm - Commanding Officer sent up remaining 3 Platoons of Reserve Coy to try to restore the situation. The side of the slope which the Company had to advance was exposted to intense M.G. fireand the Company suffered 50 casualties including the Company Commander Capt J.R. West MC and Lieut A.G. Punnett. The company reached the line of the support trench and dug themselves in there. The situation remained obscure but reports were received from the O.C. 9th Royal Fusiliers (whose front remained intact) that he was gradually re-occupying the line held by our left Company, till at 6pm he was holding the original front line for 300 yards S of his original boundary. This left a gap of about 600 yards still occupied by the enemy or under his control. 8.15pm - Officer Commandined decided to deliver a counter attack with two companies 7th Royal Sussex Regiment at dusk. This attack was delivered under a barrage at 8.15pm but was only partially successful owing to the intense M.G. fire om the ridge which had to be crossed. END |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| 23 Jan 1893 at Hackney, London | 12 Feb 1893 at Dalston, Holy Trinity |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| James and Alice Maud (deceased) Edmans | Brook Street, Wolston |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1893 - 95 Holly Street, Hackney | 1911 - Metal Polisher |
| 1901 - 95 Holly Street, Hackney | 1912 - Soldier in Royal Berkshire Regiment |
| 1911 - Old Silk Mill Cottages, Ryton on Dunsmore | |
| 1917 - Brook Street, Wolston |