Military History

Roland was the Observer on De Haviland D.H.9 serial number D2951, piloted by Lt. B.H. Church when it had some sort of accident. The pilot was injured by survived. An Obituary in the Leamington Spa Courier on 27 Dec 1918 is transcribed below but it gives no further information regarding the accident.

Leamington Spa Courier - 27 Dec 1918
Local War Items

News was received on Saturday morning last from the Air Ministry that Second-Lieut. Roland Barrett Poole, R.A.F has been reported accidentally killed while serving the Agean Squadron. At the same time a letter dated November 23rd was received from him stating that he was engaged clearing the Dardenelles of mines. He volunteered in April last and on receiving his commission was drafted to Murdos, Greece.

He was an old boy of Leamington Secondary School. He tool a prominent part in the formation and carrying on of the Boys Life Brigade, being an Officer and ambulence instructor. He was also assistant organist of Christ Church and member of the Choir and the local Y.M.C.A.

Military History

Thomas is listed as being killed in action on 30 Aug 1917 however the 15th Brigade War Diary has the pages for July & Aug 1917 missing from it and the Brigade Orders section makes no mention of any event on 30th Aug. The Leamington Courier published a notice of his death along with a Gunner Durran but offers no other details. Further the book "Brookes Battery, A History of the 1/1 Warwickshire Horse Artillery" makes no mention of any events after 12th August and before the 14th September 1917. It does though list him in the Battery Roll of Honour.

Therefore we cannot give any details about the circumstances leading to the death of Thomas.

Thomas was originally buried at Map Ref 28.B.12.a.5.6 and his remains were moved to Dulhallow in August 1919. Click here for CWGC Record and click here for the Trench Mapper website to produce a map for that reference.

Military History

James is listed as being killed in action on 23 Apr 1917 during the Battle of Arras. A precis of 11th Battalion war diary entry for that day can be found below.

23.4.1917 - Effie Trench: The battalion formed up in a line (red markers on map) NE of Fampoux in preparation to attack and capture of the objective, Greenland Hill (blue marker). After 30 minutes of artillery barrage the battalion moved forward in artillery formation as far as 100 yards east of Gavrelle-Roeux Road and dug in on a line shown by the green markers. They were unable to move forward any further due to heavy machine gun fire from the direction of the Chemical Works to their south (yellow marker) and a lack of support on their right flank due to the fact that the Division on their right was held up. They consolidated and held the green line until being relieved by the 6th Bedforshire Regiment the following day.

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Military History

Alfred is listed as being killed in action on 5th April 1918. The 1st/23rd Battalion war diary entries for the period 4th to 6th April are transcribed below.

Martinsart - 4 April 1918 – pm: Battalion relieved 22^nd Battn. C & D Coys front line, A & B Support

Aveluy Wood – 5 April 1918 – 6am: Enemy started to shell our front line until 8.30am when he advanced in small groups against C Coy (2/Lt W.G. Irwin) but were repulsed by Lewis Gun fire. At 9.2am A Coy went forward to reinforce C Coy. At 9.25am S.O.S went up along entire Battalion front.

At 10.30am C Coy’s right flank was forced back – left flank was in the Wood. D Coy on left of front line attacked by overwhelming numbers and surrounded. Survivors state that the Coy met the enemy with rifles and Lewis Guns but were unable to prevent him getting into their rear. Lt H.S. Ewen MC; 2/Lt G.H. Crisp & 2/Lt W.J. Kemp missing. 2/Lt C.J. Strickland killed in action.

At 11.30am enemy had penetrated between our front Coy’s. Owing to heavy M.G. fire from left rear A & C Coys were forced back to communication trench running from Wood to Battn HQ and established communication with 24^th London Regiment on left along the edge of the wood (11.40am)

12.30pm: Major R.H. Tolerton MC (temporarily commanding the Battn) went to Martinsart to arrange counter-attack under 22^nd Bn. About 12.40pm A & C Coys suffered heavy casualties from enfilade Machine Gun fire from direction of W.10.central.

4.15pm: Two Coys 22^nd Bn attacked Aveluy Wood to re-establish original line. The Battn covered the attack with Rifle and Lewis Gun fire. Owing to heavy M.G fire from edge of Wood and absence of artillery support the counter-attack failed. Major Tolerton wounded in the head. Capt Cook, 22^nd Bn, assumed command of 22^nd & 23^rd Battalions who fell back on line of Communication Trench and bank

Battn strength – 5 Officers and 150 O.R.

Aveluy Wood – 6 April 1918: Battn heavily shelled all day. About 6.30pm small parties of the enemy left the Wood opposite our Right Coy and ran is S direction. They were caught in our L.G. fire.