Service Detail - 683/204134 Lance Corporal Charles Giddings Wiltshire Regt - Missing Presumed Dead 23 Mar 1918

[Blue Dragoon]

Hello

 

so I've found the following with respect to LCpl Charles Giddings Wiltshire Regiment:

 

Census 1901 and 1911

CWGC detail

MIC (No 14/15 Star?)
MIR
Soldiers Effects register entry 

Bn and Bde war diaries

 

I have also found a POW record for a Charles Giddings 6 Bn Wiltshire Regiment but the army no is different.  I find it hard to believe 2 Charles Giddings of the 6th Bn died on the same day?  What else does the POW record detail tell us?

 

Is there any service detail for this soldier I might have missed?

 

many thanks for any help.  Links appreciated!

 

best wishes

 

George

 

[jay dubaya]

Haven’t yet looked at the ICRC record but I can confirm they are two different men and incidentally both appear on the same medal roll page here

[Blue Dragoon]

thanks jay, amazing coincidence.

 

He had a 1/1 Wiltshire Yeomany number of 683 which by searching the army numbers site probably meant he  joined between Jan 13 and Feb 14??

 

1/1 Wilts Yeo mobilised in August 1914 but did not proceed to France until December 1915.  Did these guys get the 14/15 Star?  He didn't as far as I can tell

 

In September 1917, it was finally conceded that there was little place for horsed cavalry and the the regiment was converted to infantry and joined the 6th Battalion, So this would make sense.

In March 1918, the German army mounted its Spring Offensive and 6th Wilts at one point took the whole weight of the offensive at.  It was obviously during these actions he died.

 

 

[jay dubaya]

Coincidence indeed, although having lived in Wales for 30 years I've become accustomed to name coincidences in the same place at the same time.

 

Can't see a Star for either of them but have just spotted a SWB card for 203181 - enlisted 18th April 1910 discharged 20th December 1918 no longer physically fit. the ICRC records for this man show he was captured on 23rd March 1918 at Doignes and wounded in right arm. Born Rowde 14th March 1892, father Rowde Hall Farm, Rowde, Divizes, Wiltshire. He passed through PoW camps at Munster II, Minden and one other that I can't quite make out.

 

edit - the other camp was Senne

Edited 5 May , 2021 by jay dubaya
additional information

[clk]

 

Hi George,

 

For 683/204134 Giddings

 

On 05/05/2021 at 07:13, Blue Dragoon said:

No 14/15 Star?

 

He was awarded the TFWM though.

Image sourced from Ancestry - link

1591919590_TFWMEntitlement.pdf

It looks like he was part of 'B' Squadron.

 

 

On 05/05/2021 at 08:32, Blue Dragoon said:

...probably meant he  joined between Jan 13 and Feb 14??

 

681 Oakley attested on 8.3.1913 at Chippenham

682 Cuzner attested on 8.3.1913 at Chippenham

683

719 Parsons attested on 17.6.1913 at Salisbury

 

Regards

Chris

[Blue Dragoon]

Jay dubaya and chris some great info. very many thanks for your time and effort

Edited 5 May , 2021 by Blue Dragoon

[clk]

Hi George,

 

No problem.

 

My great uncle (current avatar) was also RWY, then 6/Wilts - also missing, presumed dead on 23.3.1918 too. Unfortunately, no known grave though.

 

Regards

Chris

[Blue Dragoon]

I'm just researching the service stories of the ww1 names on the Tilshead War Memorial.  Charles is the last.  I'll get into the war diaries for the day but it's clear 6th Bn were on point that day

[Blue Dragoon]

Crikey.  I've read some War Diary entry's and this is up there as one of the most emotive.  War diaries are required to give a dispassionate account of events so the author of this one was clearly moved to provide clarification of the context of the sacrifice made.

Well done the 6th Battalion I salute you 

 

[jay dubaya]

Indeed... thanks for posting that.

 

Jon