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South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 202847 William Thomas HOUGHTON - 1st/7th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment


Died of Wounds on Thursday October 4th, 1917 aged 32


Military History

   
Theatre of WarMedalsCommonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders British War & Victory Medals Mendingham Military Cemetery
     
Arrived in TheatreMedal Citation (if app)SWFHS Area Memorials
After 1 November 1916 in France ~ Bilton War Memorial
     
Action, Battle or Other Reason KilledDate and Place Enlisted Other War Memorials
Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele)  On or after 5th October 1916 in Rugby  
     
Place of DeathPrevious Regiments or Units  
near Fampoux ~  
     

Circumstances of Death

William is listed as dying of wounds on 4th October 1917. The 1st/7th Battalion war diary for the period 1st to 5th October is transcribed below. Those wishing to map the places indicated by the map references should click here and add 28. to the beginning of reference i.e. 28.V.25.c.9.3

1st to 3rd October 1917

Dambre Camp – 1st Oct 1917: The Bn had arrived in camp the previous evening. Day was spent in making final inspections. C.O & 2nd in Command and two officers from each Coy went up to reconnoitre assembly positions. Weather fine.

Dambre Camp – 2nd Oct 1917: Moved into shelters in Canal Bank near Bridge 2a. Weather fine.

NE of Ypres – 3rd Oct 1917: Battle stores were drawn and issued during the morning. At 6pm head of Battalion passed Bridge 2a and moved up to Mon di Hibou via the trench board track past Alberta. At Hibou guides from 1/1 Bucks Regt met Coys and led them past Flora Cot to assembly positions. No difficultly was experienced during this operation. Four casualties only were suffered. The night was very suitable, a bright moon being overcast with clouds leaving sufficient light to see quite well without making movement visible to the enemy.

The Battalion was in position on a taped line of shell holes, laid out by Capt. Bushill by 12.30 midnight. The positions were as follows:

  • D Coy in two lines, two platoons in front and two in reserve near about V.25.c.9.3
  • C Coy two platoons in front & two in rear astride Hubner-Quebec Road
  • A Coy two hundred yards in rear of D Coy
  • B Coy two hundred yards in rear of C Coy
  • Bn HQ was established at Hubner



 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/PlaceBaptism Date/Place
Apr Qtr 1885 in New Bilton 30 Jan 1887 at Rugby, St Matthew
   
Parents NamesAbode
Joseph and Annie Houghton Not found                        
   
Wife and Marriage Details Children
Laura Martha Houghton nee Brown Phyllis Laura b 12 Mar 1912
Jul Qtr 1909 in Rugby  
   
SchoolsColleges
  ~
   
Address HistoryEmployment History
1885 - Back Lane, Bilton 1901 - Domestic Page
1891 - 23 Russell Street, Rugby 1909 - Grocer
1901 - 4 Hillmorton Road, Rugby 1911 - Grocers Mananger 
1909 - 1 Russell Street, Rugby  
1911 - Kilsby, Northants  
1917 - 31 Dale Street, Rugby