Prince Of Wales Own. Soldier help

[brummie76]

Hello all

 

I have recently found another relative whom served in the Great war. I have limited information. Could anyone add anything further please?

 

His name is - Harry Jeavons

 

He enlisted at Smethwick, his number was 15335, Rank of Corpral, Was in the 2nd/5th Battn Prince of Wales Own (West Yorks) Regt. KIA 14th June 1918

 

Thanks in advance

 

Paul

[brummie76]

Can anyone add to this please?

 

I dont have access to Ancestry.com etc

 

Thanks in advance

 

Paul

[sotonmate]

No service record seems to be present on Ancestry UK, maybe lost in 1940.

First landed in France on 13 Jul 1915 with 10 Battalion West Yorks, later moved to 2 Battalion and finally,as you have stated, 2/5 Battalion. No dates seen for this detail which is on the Medal Rolls. There is a likelihood that he was unfit during 1916 (two entries in Forces War Records for that year but I have no subscription) and moved back into other unit (s) when regained fitness.

War Diary shows only one soldier killed whilst in Support Trenches (Map ref Sheet 57D NE F.21.c.4.7), and another wounded,prior to the unit moving up to the front later during the night of 14/15 June 1918.

Edited 12 February , 2018 by sotonmate

[Mark1959]

There are 3 FWR entries for HJ.

Record for 51st Field Ambulance. 5/1/16. Admitted for Tubercular disease of the external malleollus left leg. The malleolus is the bony projection of the ankle. Sent to an unspecified Casualty Clearing Station on 6/1. Record indicates D Company 10 WYR, 17th Division.

The other 2 records relate to the same wounding

Record for 34 CCS. Admitted 1/7/16. Remained there until 5/7/16. Years in Field Force is 1 year. That fits with going to France July 1915. Years in Service is 1 year 10 months. So that suggests enlisted about Sept 1914. Gunshot wound both buttocks. He was evacuated to an Ambulance train. Unit details same as in Jan 1916. So still with the 10th. The second record is merely a statement that he was on the War Office casualty list 20/7/16 and was entitled to the wound stripe.

You may wish to read this about the actions of 10 WYR on 1/7/16. The unit was essentially destroyed on the first day of the Somme. 5 out of every 6 men were casualties. 750 out of about 900. About 300 were killed.

http://www.modes.org.uk/news/latest-posts/2016/07/07/battle-of-the-somme-the-heaviest-hit-battalion/

The War Diary should be read. 

 

Edited 13 February , 2018 by Mark1959

[brummie76]

Thanks both!

 

So Mark are you saying that he fought on the first day of the Somme, survived but ended up in hospital with gun shot wound to buttocks and then developed the ankle issue a few days after?

 

Would he have received the gallantry medal as mentioned in your link? If so can i trace this?

 

Is there any info regarding his death or time leading up to his death at all?

 

Great information! Feeling really humbled.

 

Thanks again

 

Paul

 

 

Edited 13 February , 2018 by brummie76

[sotonmate]

Paul

 

First to Field Ambulance in Jan 1916 with the ankle problem, some  months before 1 July and the first day of the Somme.

Medal Index Card has no ref to his receiving a gallantry medal, this will need a check in the London Gazette as it isn't always noted on the Medal Card.

War Diary for 2/5 WYR is downloadable for £3.50 from :

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14056234

where you can read the day to day action, and for 10 Battalion:

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7352930

for your soldier's time at the front and the Somme action.

 

• Edit

 

Edited 13 February , 2018 by sotonmate

[Mark1959]

Sotonmate has it right as usual. Exactly what I was saying. 

[brummie76]

Thanks both!

 

Apologies. i mis-read the dates on your previous post

 

sorry,

 

Thanks for the info though

 

Paul

[brummie76]

Another question. If Harry was recruited in Smethwick near Birmingham then why did he sign for the Prince of Wales own? Why not a local regiment like South Staffs? Were the Prince of Wales Own recruiting in the area or was it a case of sign up and be sent where required?

 

Any thoughts?

[ss002d6252]

On 2/17/2018 at 13:24, brummie76 said:

Another question. If Harry was recruited in Smethwick near Birmingham then why did he sign for the Prince of Wales own? Why not a local regiment like South Staffs? Were the Prince of Wales Own recruiting in the area or was it a case of sign up and be sent where required?

 

Any thoughts?

When he enlisted there was some element of choice  but ultimately if you really wanted to join you would have joined what was open at the time - there does seem to have been an element of recruiting offices being given an idea which regiments needed men but equally it could have been a recruiting serjeant encouraging them to join his old regiment.

Craig

Edited 18 February , 2018 by ss002d6252