DELVILLE WOOD
LONGUEVAL - SOMME - FRANCE
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DELVILLE WOODLONGUEVAL - SOMME - FRANCE |
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THE 1st ROYAL BERKSHIRE IN LONGUEVAL AND DELVILLE WOOD JULY 1916
The 1st Royal Berkshire was part of the 99th Brigade of the 2nd Division and arrived in the Somme Area on the 20th July from the Souchez sector, near Vimy. At 6 p.m. on the 24th July the battalion started to relieve the 1st Royal Scots Fusiliers (8th Brigade, 3rd Division) then in Longueval and the western part of Delville Wood, with the 1st Gordon Highlanders (76th Brigade, 3rd Division) on its left and the 2nd K.O.S.B. (13th Brigade, 5th Division) on its right. Three companies of the battalion were in front line ; the fourth in support. Still their fighting in the Battle of the Somme was not to commence till the 27th July when there was to be a great attack on Delville Wood. At 2 a.m. on that day the battalion formed for the attack on the southern edge of Delville Wood, immediately in front of South Street. It was in support, behind the second wave and was detailed to do "mopping-up" work, clearing out hidden machine guns passed over by assault, clearing out trenches, bombing and clearing dug-outs and for the protection of the flanks. The left company, A, under Captain G.T.S. Weston, was to support the 23rd Royal Fusiliers, and to be at the disposal of the officer commanding that battalion. Next to A came B (Captain West), with C (Captain Gregson-Ellis) on its right, and D (Lieutenant Reid) which was responsible for the consolidation of the eastern exits of Delville Wood from Rotten Row to Princes Street. The preliminary bombardment lasted from 6 a.m. till 7.10, when the battalions on either flank went forward. Two minutes later the Royal Berkshire (less A Company), in support of the other two battalions, started its advance in two waves. When the two leading battalions had gained two hundred yards they halted. The Royal Berkshire also halted and began digging in. A 8.10 a.m. the advance was resumed, and the Royal Berkshire finally dug in on their objective, which was Prince Street, the ride running from west to east through the centre of the wood. During the advance from South Street to Princes Street, the battalion had encountered considerable, but inaccurate, rifle fire, which did not do serious harm. But a machine gun, enfilating the line from the direction of Longueval on the left, seriously troubled the consolidating parties. This and another in front were silenced just as the battalion reached Princes Street. The A Company constructed a series of strong points which protected the left flank of the 23rd Royal Fusiliers and the remainder of the battalion improved the defences along Princes Street facing North and West.
Royal Berkshire Regiment badge found in Delville Wood during the building of the Museum. At 9.a.m, when the battalion had dug in, the enemy opened a very acurate high-explosive-shell fire enfilating it from right to left. This lasted all day till 9 p.m, whilst the men were consolidating and suffering much from the heat and from want of water, the original supply of which in their bottles could not be replenished. At 10.40 a.m an officer of the King's Royal Rifle Corps came over to say that the right flank of his battalion was being bombed and required support. A dozen Berkshire bombers were sent over to help, and a pigeon message was sent back for a fresh supply of bombs ("Sent up bombs : very urgently needed"). Very fortunately for the supply of ammunition, a dump of British S.A.A. was found fifty yards south of Princes Street. It appeared to have been left there in one of the earlier attacks, and overlooked by the enemy when he got back into the southern part of the wood. At 11.30 a fresh call for help on the right of the King's Royal Rifle Corps was replied to with twelve more bombers. At 4 p.m. some men of the King's Royal Rifle Corps reported that their right flank had been slighty driven back and a Lewis gun knocked out. The remainder of the support company was sent to help, under Second Lieutenant R.J. Childs, who was killed just as he reached the position. It became necessary to send a pigeon message to Brigade Headquarters for reinforcements, as nearly all the supports had been used up. About 5 p.m. the enemy shelling lessened, and from 9 p.m till dawn of the 28th ceased entirely. By 6.45 a.m on the 28th the King's Royal Rifle Corps had been relieved by the 17th Middlesex (6th Brigade, 2nd Division) and the 2nd South Staffordshire (6th Brigade) begun the relief of the remains of the 99th brigade. Owing, however, to German shelling, it was not practicable to withdraw the battalion to Mine Trench till 5 p.m, and D Company was so near the enemy that it had to wait till after dusk for relief. The battalion's casualties on these two days were 8 officers (3 killed and 5 wounded) and 256 other ranks (75 killed and missing, 181 wounded).
From the 29th July to the 1st August the battalion was in Mine and Mine support trenches (North of Carnoy) and, as only about two hundred and eighty men were left, it was reorganized in two companies, by the amalgamation of the remains of A with D and of B with C. During the night of the 1st to 2nd August, both these companies, reinforced by twenty men each from the transport and drums, were in Back Trench and Bund Support Trench to the South of Montauban, in reserve of the 99th Brigade again in line in Delville Wood. On the 4th August, at 4.15. a.m., the 1st Royal Berkshire relieved the 22nd Royal Fusiliers in Delville Wood. The battalion was training and refitting in back areas till the 25th August, when it moved into the Hébuterne sector. |
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Sources The Royal Berkshire Regiment by F. Loraine Petre. The History of the Second Division, 1914-1918 by Everard Wyrall. Official History of the War - France and Belgium 1916 - 2nd volume. British Battalions on the Somme by Ray Westlake. Soldiers died in the Great War 1914-1919. Officers who died in the service of British, Indian and East African Regiments and Corps 1914-1919 |
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1st ROYAL BERKSHIRE ROLL OF HONOUR DELVILLE WOOD / JULY 1916 |
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Private Percy ASHLEY Born and enlisted in Birmingham. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Rest in peace in Delville Wood Cemetery (Grave VII.I.8.). |
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Corporal William Stewart BADCOCK Born at New Cross, Middlesex. Lived at Abingdon, Berks. Enlisted at Reading. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Age 28. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Fredrick William BAILEY Born at Cookham, Berks. Lived at Maidenhead. Enlisted at Reading. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Age 25. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private George Samuel James BARLOW Born and enlisted at Reading. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Rest in peace in Delville Wood Cemetery (Grave XI.M.3.). |
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Private Albert Edward BEALE Born at Bloomsbury, Middlesex. Lived at King's Cross, Middlesex. Enlisted at Stratford, Essex. Died of wounds on the 27th July 1916. Rest in peace in La Neuville British Cemetery, Corbie (Grave I.E.9.). |
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Lance Corporal Henry BECKWITH Born at Hackney, Middlesex. Lived at Bethnal Green, Middlesex. Enlisted in London. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private William BERWICK or BERRICK Born at Poplar, Middlesex. Lived at Plaistow, Essex. Enlisted at East Ham. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Frederick George BREACH Born at Thatcham, Berks. Enlisted at Newbury. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Age 22. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Frederick BRIGHT Born and enlisted at Reading. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Lance Corporal Robert BRYANT Born and lived at Marlow, Bucks. Enlisted at Maidenhead. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Francis Joseph John BUCKERIDGE Born and enlisted at Reading. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Ernest Walker BUCKLAND Born and enlisted at Abingdon. Lived at Oxford. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Age 26. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Lance Corporal Robert BURTON Born at Old Ford, Middlesex. Lived at Poplar, Middlesex. Enlisted at Stratford, Essex. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Second Lieutenant Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Age 23. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Robert CLARK Born and enlisted at Reading. Died of wounds on the 2nd August 1916. Rest in peace in Abbeville Communal Cemetery (Grave VI.F.16.). |
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Lance Corporal William COLLINSON Born at Benson, Oxon. Lived at Bracknell, Berks. Enlisted at Reading. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Age 28. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Edwin William CULMER Born and lived at Rotherhithe, Surrey. Enlisted at Stratford. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Rest in peace in Delville Wood Cemetery (Grave X.H.2.). |
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Private Charles Edward DAGGERS Born and enlisted at Reading. Lived at Caversham, Oxon. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private George DIXEY Born and lived at Wallingford, Berks. Enlisted at Reading. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Age 36. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Walter Frederick FRANKLIN Born at Worminghall, Bucks. Enlisted at Reading. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private James Henry FRETWELL Born and lived at Plaistow, Essex. Enlisted at Canning Town. Died of wounds on the 3rd August 1916. Rest in peace in Abbeville Communal Cemetery (Grave VI.G.16.). |
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Private Reuben John GILES Born at Buttermere, Berks. Lived at Hungerford, Berks. Enlisted at Newbury. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Age 27. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Ernest GREEN Born at Beenham, Berks. Enlisted at Reading. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Frederick GREEN Born and lived at South Stoke, Oxon. Enlisted at Reading. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Age 20. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private George Herbert HAMBLETON Born at Bermondsey, Surrey. Lived at Arundel, Suffolk. Enlisted at Southwark. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Age 18. Rest in peace in Delville Wood Cemetery (Grave VIII.E.7.). |
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Private Frederick HARRIS Born and lived at Bromley. Enlisted at New Cross, Surrey. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Herbert HARRIS Born and lived at Hinton Waldrist, Berks. Enlisted at Abingdon, Berks. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Lance Corporal William HESKETH Born in Manchester. Lived at Nottingham. Enlisted at Marylebone, Middlesex. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Age 20. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Albert HOUSE Born and lived at Wooburn. Enlisted at Reading. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Alfred James HYDE Born at Tilehurst, Berks. Lived at Reading. Enlisted at Wokingham. Died of wounds on the 8th August 1916. Rest in Peace in Heilly Station Cemetery (Grave III.B.19.). |
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Lance Corporal Charles IRELAND Born at Bray, Berks. Lived at Maidenhead. Enlisted at Reading. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private George Frederick JONES Born and lived at Chelsea, Middlesex. Enlisted at Fulham. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Charles Thomas KEMBER Born at Mile End, Middlesex. Lived at Bethnal Green, Middlesex. Enlisted at Poplar, Middlesex. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private George KING Born at Garford, Berks. Lived at Sipson, Middlesex. Enlisted at Reading. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Kenneth KIRBY Born and enlisted at Reading. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Arthur LAINSBURY Born at Newbury. Lived at Burghelere, Berks. Enlisted at Newland. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Albert Frederick LEWIS Born and lived at Bow, Middlesex. Enlisted at Stratford, Essex. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Edwin Norman MATTINGLEY Born at Radley, Berks. Lived at Abingdon, Berks. Enlisted in Cardiff. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Charles Edwin MELLER Born at Paddington, Middlesex. Lived at Southall, Middlesex. Enlisted at Hounslow, Middlesex. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Walter George MILES Born and lived at Reading. Lived at Grazeley, Berks. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private George MORSE Born at Clanfield, Oxon. Lived at Henley-on-Thames. Enlisted at Reading. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Herbert Alfred MORTON Born in Birmingham. Lived at Bowden, Cheshire. Enlisted at Reading. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Lance Corporal Henry NEWPORT Born at Milton, Berks. Lived at Faringdon, Berks. Enlisted at Reading. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private George Philip NORMAN Born at St Pancras, Middlesex. Lived at Hampstead, London. Enlisted in London. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private William PARKES Born at Willenhall, Staffs. Lived at Walsall, Staffs. Enlisted at Newbury. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private William Charles PEARSON Born at Walthamstow, Essex. Enlisted at Stratford, Essex. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private William Henry PERT Born at Cookham, Berks. Enlisted at Maidenhead. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Charles Frederick Henry PRESTON Born at St Pancras, Middlesex. Lived at Highgate, Middlesex. Enlisted at Holborn, Middlesex. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Rest in peace in Delville Wood Cemetery (Grave XI.B.4.). |
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Lance Corporal John RANDALL Born and enlisted at Abingdon, Berks. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Age 31. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Lance Sergeant Lewis Herbert REEVES Born at Stockenham, Wilts. Lived at Wantage, Berks. Enlisted at Reading. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Lieutenant Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Age 19. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Thomas RISING Born and lived at Bow, Middlesex. Enlisted at Stratford, Essex. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Age 26. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Lance Corporal John William RUSH Born and enlisted at Reading. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Alfred Albert SABINE Born at South wark, Surrey. Enlisted in Poplar, Middlesex. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Age 20. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Thomas SALTER Born at Blackfriars, Surrey. Lived at Walworth, Surrey. Enlisted at Reading. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Age 19. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Henry Edwin SEWELL Born and lived at Islington, Middlesex. Enlisted in London. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Age 24. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Arthur SMITH Born and lived at Woodford, Essex. Enlisted at Shoreditch, Middlesex. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Rest in peace in Delville Wood Cemetery (Grave IX.E.7). |
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Private Charles Thomas SMITH Born at Longparish, Hants. Lived at Whitchurch, Hants. Enlisted at Mill Hill, Middlesex. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Age 29. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private William SPARROW Born at Salford, Lancs. Enlisted in Manchester. Died of wounds on the 3rd August 1916. Age 24. Rest in peace in Ste Marie Cemetery, Le Havre (Grave Div 3 .D.2). |
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Private David John SPARY Born at Kensington, Middlesex. Lived at Notting Hill, Middlesex. Enlisted at Wokingham, Berks. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Harry George STACEY Born at Plaistow, Essex. Enlisted at Stratford, Essex. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Age 20. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Sergeant Joseph STRANGE Born and enlisted at Abingdon, Berks. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Sergeant Alfred SURRIDGE Born at Chiswick, Middlesex. Enlisted at Hounslow, Middlesex. Killed in action on the 25th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private John TAYLOR Born at Mile End, Middlesex. Lived at Whitechapel, Middlesex. Enlisted at Stratford, Essex. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private William Thomas THATCHER Born at Sutton Courtenay, Berks. Lived at Abingdon, Berks. Enlisted at Reading. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Age 18. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private William THOROGOOD Born and lived at West Ham, Essex. Enlisted at Stratford, Essex. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Age 24. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Private Henry Fawcett TURNER Born at Acton, Middlesex. Lived at Hackney Downs, Middlesex. Enlisted at Hounslow, Middlesex. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial (Panel 11D). |
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Sergeant Arthur TWOHIG Army Service Corps, attached to 1st Royal Berkshire Born, lived and enlisted in Dublin. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial. |
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Private William Lewis VINE Born and lived at Windsor. Enlisted at Maidenhead. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial. |
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Private William George WARWICK Born and lived at Twyford, Berks. Enlisted at Reading. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Age 19. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial. |
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Private Albert WEAVING Born and lived at Garford, Berks. Enlisted at Abingdon, Berks. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial. |
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Private William WELCH Born at Moreton, Berks. Lived at Wokingham, Berks. Enlisted at Maidenhead. Died of wounds on the 5th August 1916. Rest in peace in Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension (2.A.45.). |
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Private Frank WHITEHEAD Born at Matlock, Derby. Lived at Ashted, Surrey. Enlisted at Guildford. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial. |
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Private William Bernard WHITING Born at Buckland, Berks. Lived at Bampton, Oxon. Enlisted at Oxford. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial. |
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Private Alfred Percy Philip WICKENS Born and lived at Wasing, Berks. Enlisted at Newbury. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Age 19. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial. |
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Private Henry Charles WILKES Born in Sheffield. Lived at Windlesham, Surrey. Enlisted at Wokingham. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Age 18. Rest in peace in London Cemetery and Extension, Longueval (Grave 2.J.9.). |
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Second Lieutenant Cecil Vere WILSON Died of wounds on the 31st July 1916. Age 32. Rest in peace in St Sever Cemetery, Rouen (Officers, grave A.5.1.). |
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Private Albert WINGFIELD Born and lived at Walthamstow, Essex. Enlisted at Stratford, Essex. Killed in action on the 27th July 1916. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial. |
