Viney, Francis Henry

Private 10036, 2nd Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancashire Regiment). Killed in action in Belgium Saturday, 8th May 1915 aged 27. On that day the Battalion was in trenches in front of Frezenburg. The Battalion War Diary records:

“May 8 th 1915. 7 a.m. Enemy shelled trenches blowing them in, and rendering them untenable. The enemy advanced and captured the front line trenches, they then advanced against the support dugouts. The O.C. 3rd Monmouths called for one company to support the line and “B” Coy. under Captain Forwood at once moved across the road and occupied some old trenches east of the burial ground in the rear of the Monmouth’s trenches.

10 a.m. Enemy commenced attack in the support dugouts but were held in check when 200 yards from them. The enemy were observed moving in a westerly direction on both flanks of the position. Major Clough assumed command on the death of Colonel Martin.

11.35 a.m. Message received to retire on POTIJZE. “B” Coy. was ordered to retire first followed by the 3 platoons of “C” Coy. on the North of the YPRES - ZONNEBEKE Road.... The total casualties during this last tour in the trenches from 4th May till 9th May were:- Officers: Killed 4, Wounded 5, Wounded and Prisoners 2, Wounded and Missing 1, Missing 4. Other Ranks: Killed 36, Wounded 110, Wounded and Missing 31, Missing 721”.This was the worse day in the history of the Kings Own Regiment and believed to be one of the highest daily losses in by a battalion in the First World War.

Viney was born and enlisted in Northampton. He had been with his Regiment for six years, 4½ years of which were spent in India. He had been home for 3 days leave at Christmas 1914 before proceeding to the Western Front. Third son of Prudence Viney, of 102, Oxford Street, Far Cotton, Northampton. He was the brother-in-law of Percy Manning (see above).

Commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, panel 12.

Wake, Harold Owen

Private 61633, 6th Battalion, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment): formerly 199301 Royal Army Service Corps. Died of wounds in France Saturday, 31st August 1918 aged 27. Born Paulersbury, Northampton, he enlisted in Northampton. Son of Owen George and Emily Wake, of 118, Loyd Road., Northampton. The Absent Voters List shows he was resident at 92, St. Leonards Road, Far Cotton, Northampton.

Buried Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, France VIII. B. 42.

Wakeford, Arthur George

Private 3/10094, 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in action in France Monday, 21st December 1914 aged 19. On that date the Battalion was transported on “omnibuses” to the front line at Vielle Chapelle and then marched to launch a night attack on trenches the enemy had captured near La Quinque Rue. The attack was successful but the Battalion suffered 60 casualties. Born in London, he enlisted in Northampton in August 1914 and went to the Western Front in October 1914. Son of C Wakeford of 26, Euston Road, Far Cotton, Northampton. Before joining up he was employed at Messrs. Sears and Company’s factory.

Commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France, Panel 28 to 30.

Watkins, E

Believed to be Private 10039, Edward Arthur Watkin, 5 th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in action 2 nd August, 1916 on the Somme, France Born and enlisted in Northampton. An Edward Watkins was reported on the Roll of Honour in St Mary’s Monthly magazine 1916 as being killed May 1916 whilst serving with the 5 th Northamptonshire Regiment, but without a corresponding casualty.

Edward Arthur Watkin is buried at Aveluy Communal Cemetery Extension, Aveluy, France F 63.

Watts, Albert George

Private 34630, 9^th Battalion, The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, formerly 179713 Royal Engineers. Died in hospital of gunshot wounds, Wimereux France Sunday, 28^th April 1918 aged about 38. Born in Northampton, he enlisted there in June 1916 and posted to France in December 1916. Second son of George and Jane Watts of 14, Abbey Road, Far Cotton, Northampton. Husband of Mrs. Watts, 147, Euston Road, Far Cotton, Northampton. Before joining the Army he was employed as a painter and decorator by Councillor T Wareing

Buried Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France IX. A. 42.

Webb, Cyril Ernest

Private 12928, 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Died in France Wednesday, 1st January, 1919 aged 23. Born Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucester, he enlisted in Northampton in August 1918. Son of Joseph (James) and Maria Webb, of 27, Rickard Street, Far Cotton, Northampton. He was one of five brothers serving, two were killed and the others wounded. He had already been wounded in the thigh on May 9th 1915 when the Battalion was in trenches in an orchard midway between Petillon and Rouges Blancs. Regimental history records of an attack at this time - “men fell in dozens, but in spite of heavy losses the survivors gallantly pressed forward”.

Buried Perreuse Chateau Franco-British Cemetery, France 1. C. 45.

Webb, Frederick John Thomas

Private 8736, 2^nd Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment. Killed in action in Belgium Tuesday, 20^th April 1915 aged 23. On that day, the Battalion was in front line trenches – Herenthage Wood, Stirling Castle, Bodmin Copse. He had served seven years in the Army. Born Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucester he enlisted in Bristol. Son of Joseph and Maria Webb, of 27, Rickard Street, Far Cotton, Northampton. He was one of five brothers serving, two were killed and the others wounded.

Commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, panel 22 and 34.

Wesley, Joseph

Corporal 109105, Royal Engineers (Railway Operating Division) attached to 110 th Railway Company: he was a train driver. Following wounds to his legs caused by an explosion of grenades on the 29 th July 1916, he was treated by the 13 th Field Ambulance and taken to the dressing station XV Corps and then evacuated to the 36 Casualty Clearing Station Heilly, Mericourt-L’Abbe, France, where he died due to compound fractures in his legs on the 1 st August 1916. As he was off-duty at the time of the explosion, a Court of Enquiry was held to determine the facts surrounding this incident: it concluded that in the absence of other facts, the death would be treated as accidental. He was a resident of Northampton and enlisted on the 14 th July 1915 in London. He embarked for France on the 15 th March 1916. His death was recorded in the St. Mary’s Magazine. Before enlistment he was an engine driver with the LNWR Railway. He was married to Edith Sophia Wesley and lived at 56 Euston Road, Far Cotton, Northampton and they had 4 children.

Buried at Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L’Abbe, France II.E.47.

White, Ernest William

Second Lieutenant Ernest William White, (Royal Garrison Artillery, 290 th Siege Battery), Military Cross, is included in the Roll of Honour in the St. Mary’s Parish Magazine as dying 20 th October 1918. 290 th Siege Battery had 6” howitzer weapons supporting the First Army. His award of the Military Cross was published in the London Gazette 24 th September 1918:

“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when a considerable number of cartridge boxes and some camouflage had been set alight by enemy shelling. He went out and effectually extinguished the flames, saving half-burning cartridge boxes from igniting the charges. The battery, which was not in action at the time, was being heavily shelled all the while.”

Buried Delsaux Farm Cemetery, Beugny, France I. H. 14.

White, Thomas

Private 59899, 3^rd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Died in the UK on Monday, 11^th November 1918, the last day of the First World War, aged 29. Husband of Nellie Amy Beatrice White, of 28, Alton Street, Far Cotton, Northampton.

Buried Wootton (St. George) Church Cemetery, UK.

White, Walter

Private 3/10479, 1 st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in action Sunday, 9 th May 1915 in France, On this day the 1st Battalion attacked Auber Ridge and the Regimental history noted – “What followed was less a battle than a massacre”. Walter is ncluded in the Roll of Honour in the St. Mary’s Parish Magazine as being in the 1 st Northamptonshire Regiment together with soldiers who died June/July 1916.

Commemorated Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France, Panel 28 to 30.