Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery Extension | II. H. 23. | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.138 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 25D GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | |||
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 81st Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery |
| Action : The First Battles of the Somme 1918 and associated actions |
21 March - 4 July 1918. The Battles of the Somme in 1918 were mostly concerned with stemming the German advance which started in March 1918 and which made considerable gains in the Somme/Arras sector. Utilising surplus troops which had become available following the surrender of Russia after the October Revolution, the Germans gambled on a massive campaign that could win the war in the west before the USA could bring its resources to bear. Initial gains were in places spectacular but eventually dogged resistance coupled with supply problems and sheer exhaustion closed down the battle. Other attacks were launched along the front to probe the Allied defences but the same pattern of initial gains followed by stalemate prevailed. British casualties were almost 345,000.
The military service records show that William Edward Warren enlisted with the Royal Artillery as a boy on 9.5.95 and joined at Great Yarmouth on 10.5.95. Of particular interest are two later entries under 'Special instances of gallant conduct and mentions in public despatches', the first states that he was 'mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 19.10.14)' and the second entry records 'Medaille Militaire Bestowed by President French Republic.'
In one letter from Major Warren's daughter, dated 22.10.72, she writes that her father was 'invalided home and stationed at Woolwich during 1916' and following promotion to Captain and later Major 'he returned to France at the end of 1917 and was killed in action on March 29th 1918'.
His medals were recently sold and included:
A Medal Group awarded to Major William Edward Warren, comprising Queen's South Africa Medal, 3rd type reverse, two clasps, Cape Colony, South Africa 1901, named to '9559 Gnr: W. E. Warren. 2nd E. D. R.G.A.', Great War Trio, 1914 Star, missing ribbon but clasp '5th Aug.- 22nd Nov. 1914' still present, named to '9559 B.Q.M. Sjt W. E. Warren. R.G.A.', British War Medal 1914-20, Victory Medal, missing ribbon, named to 'Major W. E. Warren', a loose M.I.D oak leaf emblem decoration, Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, George V with swivel suspension and plain crimson ribbon, named to '9559 B.Q.M. Sjt: W. E. Warren. R.G.A.', and a Medaille Militaire 1870
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | United Military No. 1536 E.C. | West Kent |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
6th April 1906 | 1st June 1906 | 3rd August 1906 |
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley