Military Chat

Water Orton villagers are planning to build a war memorial in time for the 100 anniversary of the end of the war in 2018. We are trying to find names of anyone from Water Orton in North Warwickshire that are known to have died serving this Country, in any war. We would like to create a booklet with information on these people, if any, so we are looking for names and personal information, if any is available,
If anyone replies I would like to inform that by replying you will give us permission to use whatever information that you give, if it is felt appropriate for our cause. Please do not be offended if I do not reply or use the information, we will have to collate any we get and only use if appropriate. The information will of course be checked where possible so that we know that it is official. Thanks a lot.

Locally here, churches, schools and ex-Servicemen's clubs often have memorials to those who served.

Local newspapers of the time often carried articles and sometimes photos, about those who served and were killed.

Thanks very much. Will give the newspapers a try. Have tried all the others you have suggested. Kay

There's a few that had their residence listed as Water Orton, but were not necessarily born there, and others born in Water Orton, but living elsewhere:

First name(s) JOSEPH
Last name BONEHAM
Service number T.F.242748
Rank PRIVATE
Regiment Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment)
Battalion 4th Battalion.
Birth place -
Residence WATER ORTON, WARWICK
Enlistment place ALDERSHOT, HANTS
Death date 27 May 1918
Cause of death Died of wounds
Death place France & Flanders
Theatre of war Western European Theatre
( Son of George and Alice Maud Boneham, of Coleshill, Warwickshire)
---------------------------------------------

First name(s) CHARLES LAMLEY
Last name BURTON
Service number 203845
Rank PRIVATE
Regiment Royal Warwickshire Regiment
Battalion 15th Battalion.
Birth place NOTTINGHAM
Residence WATER ORTON, WARWICKS
Enlistment place COLESHILL, WARWICKS
Death date 13 October 1918
Cause of death Died
Death place France & Flanders
(Son of Mr. C. E. Burton; husband of Edith Mary Burton, of West Bridgford, Nottingham)
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First name(s) CHARLES FREDERICK
Last name DODD
Service number 42618
Rank PRIVATE
Regiment Suffolk Regiment
Battalion 12th Battalion.
Birth place WATER ORTON, WARWICKS
Residence -
Enlistment place BIRMINGHAM
Death date 10 April 1918
Cause of death Killed in action
Death place France & Flanders
--------------------------------

First name(s) FREDERICK WILLIAM
Last name ROBERTSON
Service number 57531
Rank PRIVATE
Regiment Machine Gun Corps
Battalion (Infantry).
Birth place WATER ORTON, WARWICKS
Residence ERDINGTON
Enlistment place SUTTON COLDFIELD
Death date 9 June 1918
Cause of death Killed in action
Death place France & Flanders
(Son of William and Margaret Robertson, of New Ascott, Warwickshire; husband of Elizabeth Birch (formerly Robertson), of 75, Court Lane, Erdington, Birmingham)
----------------------------

First name(s) ARTHUR ERNEST
Last name TERRY
Service number 33700
Rank PRIVATE
Regiment Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire Regiment)
Battalion 6th Battalion.
Birth place WATER ORTON, WARWICK
Residence BOLCHALL, STAFFS
Enlistment place TAMWORTH
Death date 17 Feb 1917
Cause of death Killed in action
Death place France & Flanders
(born 1884- son of William & Harriet Terry, wife of Eliza)
----------------------------------

First name(s) GILBERT BENNETT
Last name WILLDEY
Service number 16044
Rank PRIVATE
Regiment Royal Warwickshire Regiment
Battalion 2nd Battalion.
Birth place WATER ORTON, WARWICKS
Residence WATER ORTON
Enlistment place COLCHESTER, ESSEX
Death date 15 July 1916
Cause of death Killed in action
Death place France & Flanders
Theatre of war Western European Theatre
( Son of William Thomas and Hannah Willdey, of "The Chestnuts," Water Orton, Birmingham.)
-------------------------------

First name(s) EDWARD THOMAS
Last name WILTSHIRE
Service number 23704
Rank PRIVATE
Regiment Gloucestershire Regiment
Battalion 10th (Service) Battalion.
Birth place WATER ORTON, BIRMINGHAM
Residence -
Enlistment place STOW-ON-THE-WOLD
Death day 23 July 1916
Cause of death Died of wounds
Death place France & Flanders
Theatre of war Western European Theatre
---------------------------------

First name(s) JOHN HENRY
Last name WOOLLEY
Service number 5026
Rank PRIVATE
Regiment Royal Warwickshire Regiment
Battalion 11th Battalion.
Birth place CASTLE BROMWICH, BIRMINGHAM
Residence WATER ORTON, BIRMINGHAM
Enlistment place BIRMINGHAM
Death date 7 November 1915
Cause of death Killed in action
Death place France & Flanders
(Son of George James and Kate Woolley, of Water Orton, Birmingham)
---------------------------------------

Name: Sydney Herbert Johnson
Birth Place: Water Orton, Warwick
Residence: Birmingham
Death Date: 25 Nov 1916
Death Place: Home
Enlistment Place: Birmingham
Rank: A Corporal
Regiment: Army Service Corps
Regimental Number: T4/244177
Type of Casualty: Died
Theatre of War: Home

Re GILBERT BENNETT (Bennell) WILLDEY:

Birmingham Daily Post - Tuesday 03 July 1917

CASUALTIES AMONG MIDLAND MEN:

Private Gilbert Bennett Willdey (19) Royal Warwickshire Regiment, only son of Mr and Mrs W T Willdey "The Chestnuts" Water Orton reported missing July 15 1916 now officially presumed killed on that date.
--------------------------------------------------

Birth:
Name: Gilbert Bennell Willdey
Registration Year: 1896
Registration Quarter: Oct-Nov-Dec
Registration district: Aston
Inferred County: Warwickshire
Volume: 6d Page: 368
------------------------------------------------

1901 census:
1901 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription
North of Railway, Hamlet, Water Orton, Aston, Warwickshire, England

William T Willdey Head Married Male 48 1853 Drug & Chemical Agent Dunton, Warwickshire,
Hannah Willdey Wife Married Female 40 1861 - Birmingham, Warwickshire,
Gertrude Mary Willdey Daughter Single Female 13 1888 - Curdworth, Warwickshire,
Jessie Willdey Daughter Single Female 12 1889 - Curdworth, Warwickshire, England
Gilbert B Willdey Son Single Male 4 1897 - Water Orton, Warwickshire, England
Elsie Marian Willdey Daughter Single Female 2 1899 - Water Orton, Warwickshire,
------------------------------------------------------

1911 census:
1911 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription
Old Church Yard Water Orton, Water Orton, Warwickshire, England

William Thomas Willdey Head Married Male Commercial Traveller 58 1853 Warwickshire Curdworth
Hannah Willdey Wife Married Female - 50 1861 Warwickshire Birmingham
Gertrude M Willdey Daughter Single Female - 23 1888 Warwickshire Curdworth
Jessie Willdey Daughter Single Female - 22 1889 Warwickshire Curdworth
Gilbert B Willdey Son - Male At School 14 1897 Warwickshire Water Orton
Elsie M Willdey Daughter - Female At School 12 1899 Warwickshire Water Orton
-----------------------------------------------------

RE: JOHN HENRY WOOLLEY

Baptism:
Name: John Henry Woolley
Gender: Male
Baptism Date: 3 Jan 1892
Baptism Place: Castle Bromwich, Warwick, England
Father: George James Woolley
Mother: Kate Woolley

1911:
1911 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription
School Lane Castle Bromwich Warwickshire, Castle Bromwich, Warwickshire, England

George Woolley Head Married Male Farmer 52 1859 Castle Bromwich
Kate Woolley Wife Married Female - 53 1858 Stretton Fosse
Beatrice Woolley Daughter Single Female General House Work 21 1890 Castle Bromwich
John Woolley Son Single Male Carter Bham Works 19 1892 Castle Bromwich
Harold Woolley Son - Male School 11 1900 Castle Bromwich
Albert Woolley Son - Male School 9 1902 Castle Bromwich
Ernest Woolley Boarder Single Male Foreman Bham Sewage Works 41 1870 Castle Bromwich
----------------------------------------

His father's probate (giving address in Water Orton):

Woolley George James of Ellerslie House Water Orton Warwickshire died 3 May 1930 Probate Birmingham 12 June to Charles Albert Woolley motor driver and William Henry Morle charge hand. Effects £585

Thanks so much Austin, that is a great help. Much appreciated.
Kay

There are already memorials in Water Orton at the church:

Apparently the Church Clock is also a memorial

http://nnwfhs.org.uk/component/k2/item/422-water-orton-war-memorial

Remembering-
WW1:
Joseph Boneham
Charles Burton
Arnold Hawkins
Sidney Prosser
Gilbert Willdey

WW2:
John Comley
Harold Crowley
William H Fisher
Michael Kavanagh
Lewis Leak
Henry Merricks
Bernard Rhodes
Thomas Rhodes
Richard M Smith
Harold L Wright

It seems these men are already being researched:

"The ‘lost fifteen’ named individually on WW1 and 11 memorial plaques in the Parish and Methodist Churches are now being carefully researched by local historian, Colin Green, and will be the subject of a booklet to be published in time for the consecration of the memorial on 11th November 2018"
https://www.northwarks.gov.uk/news/article/236/water_orton_war_memorial_project

Thanks again. I know Colin Green is doing the research as well but I wasn't sure whether Genes Reunited may throw up something different. I didn't think Colin was a member of Genes. Information from all directions is needed to get a rounded selection of details. Thanks again.

A few snippets from the papers:

Birmingham Mail - Saturday 24 October 1942

WRIGHT Harold L K- Sergeant Pilot RAFVR beloved eldest son of Mr & Mrs L Wright, Ellerncroft, Water Orton, aged 20 years, Killed on active service. Funeral Water Orton Church Monday October 26th at 2.30pm

Birmingham Mail - Thursday 29 October 1942
Mr & Mrs Leonard Wright and Family thank all their friends for beautiful letters and tributes received at the 'passing over of Harold'. Will they please accept this as our acknowledgment.
--------------------------------------------

Birmingham Daily Post - Tuesday 12 September 1916

Casualties Among Midland Men:

Corporal Sidney G Prosser Australian Imperial Force; who was killed in action on July 27 , was the husband of Mrs Edith Prosser, Water Orton and was 42 years of age.
-----------------------------------------------------

Birmingham Daily Post - Wednesday 20 October 1915

LOCAL ROLL OF HONOUR:
Private J S Griffiths, Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, killed in action. He was 29 years of age and leaves a widow and 3 children at 6 Pugh Road, Aston. Private Griffiths formerly lived at Water Orton.

(note: this man looks to be John Samuel Griffiths, son of Richard & Elizabeth, husband of Sarah Jane)
----------------------------------------------------

Birmingham Mail - Saturday 30 December 1939

Midland Man who was Recalled From Leave (with photo)

Another local association with the epic naval action which lead to the scuttling of the Graf Spee is bought to light by news just received that Michael Thomas Kavanagh, 21 year old son of John Kavanagh of 36 Birmingham Road, Water Orton, was killed in action while serving as a telegraphist aboard HMS Exeter.
Michael Kavanagh was educated at Swansea and came to the Midlands in 1935, shortly after which he joined the navy....
-------------------------------------------------

Births Jun 1874 (>99%)
PROSSER Sidney George Meriden 6d 446

Births Mar 1882 (>99%)
Swan Edith Bertha Aston 6d 305

Marriages Jun 1902 (>99%)
PROSSER Sidney George Meriden 6d 660
Swan Edith Bertha Meriden 6d 660

Births Sep 1903 (>99%)
Prosser Sibyl Meriden 6d 485

Births Jun 1909 (>99%)
PROSSER Edward Malcolm Aston 6d 393

1911 rg14/18320 https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XWZZ-P37
Registration district Parish County
Aston Water Orton Warwickshire

Sidney G Prosser 1875 Warwickshire Coleshill
Edith Prosser 1882 Warwickshire Birmingham
Sibyl Prosser 1904 Warwickshire Meriden
Edward Malcolm Prosser 1910 Warwickshire Water Orton
Sarah Gopsill 1894 Warwickshire Newnham
[Sarah is an employee]



Piece # 18320 is an Aston 1911 piece # - it is the piece # for Water Orton
Reference: RG 14/18320
Description:
Registration Sub-District: Erdington
Civil Parish, Township or Place:Water Orton
RD 385 RS 5 ED 1


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http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/589435/PROSSER,%20SIDNEY%20GEORGE
Rank: Private
Service No: 1274
Date of Death: 27/07/1916
Age: 42
Regiment/Service: Australian Infantry, A.I.F. 19th Bn.
Grave Reference: III. K. 35.
Cemetery: POZIERES BRITISH CEMETERY, OVILLERS-LA BOISSELLE
Additional Information: Son of Joseph Richard and Mary Newstead Prosser; husband of Edith B. Prosser, of "Overton", Water Orton, Warwickshire, England. Native of Coleshill, Warwickshire.

The CWGC concenrearion document shows his body was found at Sheet57d.X.5.c.
His grave was marked with a cross. He died exactly 4 m after disembarking in Marseilles.

-------------------

Starting at http://library.mcmaster.ca/maps/ww1/ndx5to40.htm

we can pick map 7WW1MAP
http://digitalarchive.mcmaster.ca/islandora/object/macrepo%3A3948/-/collection

Title [Albert] 57d.SE: France & Belgium
Note Sheet 57d.SE., Edition 3a. Series: GSGS 2742. Annotations: "Medical Officer" written in pencil on folded cover panel. Linen backing; index; glossary.

The X supersquare occupies the SE corner of this map the 1000 x 1000 yard square X.5 is near the right margin of the map.
Pozieres (or its ruins) straddle X.4 and X.5. The SW quadrant of this square is X.5.c (there's usually a quadrant label key in every "6" square)

His service record says his grave was 1/4 mile S of Pozieres, and 3 3/4 m ENE of Albert (which is in square W.28).

(My dad's cousin - C.P.Massie - has his body location as 57d.N.28.c.18.48 and the next guy's is 57d.N.33.b.2.5. In the latter case, the quadrant is divided up into 50 x 50 yd squares, identified by its easting, then its northing - both in range 0 thru 9. Thus the bottom row of 50 x 50 yd blocks would be 0.0 thru 9.0.
In Charles Massie's case, the quadrant was divided into 5 x 5 yd squares - again easting, then northing - but in the range 00 thru 99.
I'd just been looking this up as his record and his brother Joseph's records were placed online by LAC just last week.
Prosser's record has been online (and free) for some years now.

-----------------------

http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/2nd-australian-division/
19th bn was in 5th bde of 2 Aus div.


This gets his service record:
http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/NameSearch/Interface/NameSearchForm.aspx

Of particular interest are image 1 of 33
He enlisted 25/2/1915 in Liverpool NSW - it's abt 30km W of Sydney and a dozen km S of Parramatta.
His attestation form shows he was a baker

Image 12 of 33
His caualty record form shows he embarked Alexandria 15/8/1915 for Gallipoli as part of the M. (Mediterranean) E.F., and evacuated Lemnos, then embarked Mudros 7/1/1916 for Alexandria.

Image 32 of 33
shows he got the 1914/15 star (for service in Gallipoli), the British War and Victory medals.



AIF war diaries are available via:
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/awm4/
[The infantry, especially the 5th Infantry Brigade and the 19th Infantry Battalion are the ones of interest.]

The official history is available online via:
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1069749/