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William Edwin Griffiths
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1896 |
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Place of birth: Ladywood, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Last known residence: 1 BK 78 Freeth Street Ladywood, Warwickshire,, England, United Kingdom |
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Profession: Warehouseman |
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Religion: Church of England |
Army information
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Country: Verenigd Koninkrijk |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Serjeant |
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Service number: 240082 |
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Enlistment place: Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 1st/6th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 27/08/1917 |
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Place of death: St Julien, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 21 |
Cemetery
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New Irish Farm Cemetery Plot: XXV Row: H Grave: 14 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
William Edwin Griffiths was born in Ladywood, Warwickshire. After the outbreak of the First World War, he enlisted in the British Army. William was part of the 1/6th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (143rd Brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division).
William was killed on 27 August 1917 at the Battle of Passchendaele. The day before, they had taken positions north and south of St Julian and Winnipeg Road. The 143rd Brigade aimed to take the area of Winnipeg - Springfield Road and then also the area of the Gheluvelt - Langemarck line. As part of that attack, the 1/6th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment advanced towards German positions near Winnipeg and Cemetery at about 1.55pm. However, ground conditions hampered the advance and machine gun and sniper fire from concrete positions also posed obstacles. 28 men of the 1/6th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment died, 123 were wounded and 14 were missing. After five hours, the 143rd Brigade finally managed to take Springfield.
William Edwin Griffiths' body was recovered near the village centre of St Julian after the war. His remains were reburied in New Irish Farm Cemetery, where he found his final resting place.
William was killed on 27 August 1917 at the Battle of Passchendaele. The day before, they had taken positions north and south of St Julian and Winnipeg Road. The 143rd Brigade aimed to take the area of Winnipeg - Springfield Road and then also the area of the Gheluvelt - Langemarck line. As part of that attack, the 1/6th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment advanced towards German positions near Winnipeg and Cemetery at about 1.55pm. However, ground conditions hampered the advance and machine gun and sniper fire from concrete positions also posed obstacles. 28 men of the 1/6th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment died, 123 were wounded and 14 were missing. After five hours, the 143rd Brigade finally managed to take Springfield.
William Edwin Griffiths' body was recovered near the village centre of St Julian after the war. His remains were reburied in New Irish Farm Cemetery, where he found his final resting place.
Sources 8
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1/6 Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/2755/2). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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143 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters. (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/2754/5). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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British Army World War I Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO372). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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Census Returns of England and Wales, 1901 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG13). https://www.ancestry.com/ Sources used |
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Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG14). https://www.ancestry.com/ Sources used |
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Soldiers Effects Records (National Army Museum, Chelsea (NAM) 1901-60; NAM Accesion Number: 1991-02-333). https://www.nam.ac.uk/ Sources used |
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War Office and Air Ministry: Service Medal and Award Rolls, First World War. (The National Archives, Kew (TNA). WO329. https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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Warwickshire, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1930. https://www.ancestry.com/ Sources used |
More information 3
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/452413 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=cc36a8fa-d27e-435c-b778-d81bf2c260d8 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/1479874 |