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Pte W Howse Oxs and Bucks L I.


Sgt Stripes

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Hi. Looking for information on Pte 23797 William Howse, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light infantry. His number was changed to 20296 and 267281. The only information i have is that he received a SWB however a very old auction site states that he was wounded on 18 October 1916 while serving with the 7th Ox and Bucks. there was a 13028 William Howse who was wounded with the 7th but i do not think this is my man.    Thank you

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40 minutes ago, Sgt Stripes said:

Hi. Looking for information on Pte 23797 William Howse Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light infantry. His number was changed to 20296 and 267281. The only information i have is that he received a SWB. 

He was discharged 15 Aug 1919
image.png
https://www.fold3.com/image/701956747?terms=267281,howse

Craig

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267281  Pte HOWSE, William

Born 1883

Enlisted 9 Jun 1916

Discharged 15 Aug 1919

Ancestry SWB Roll (WO 329/3123)

Enlisted as 23797 Pte into O&BLI; with 6th Bn; France & Flanders; as 20296 Pte, to 2/1st Bucks Bn, F & F; to 2/4th Bn, F & F, 1918; wounded; SWB (B286558); discharged; M: War & Vict

Res: 21 South Parade, St Giles, Oxford.

 

Sold by DNW 10/11/21 from Soldiers of Oxford Collection

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9 minutes ago, ss002d6252 said:

due to wounds

Wounding in daily cas list of 28/9/1917 (267281)

Edited by charlie962
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Many thanks to you all for taking the time to look for information on pte Howse and replying to my question. Really struggled finding information on him. 

 

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His wounding was reported in the Daily Cas List of 28/9/17 which would normally appear about a month after the actual wounding.

If he was 2/1st Bucks at the time, which I presume he was, then the appropriate event is probably 22nd August 1917 at Third Ypres.

The excellent Lightbobs site tells us this:

The losses were found to have been very heavy 13 officers and 637 other ranks went into action, 11 officers and 338 other ranks were reported as casualties.

KILLED: 1 Officer And 46 other ranks.
DIED OF WOUNDS: 3 Officers
WOUNDED 4 Officers And 156 other ranks.
MISSING: 3 Officers And 122 other ranks.

Of the missing 19 were afterwards traced as prisoners of war, and 103 presumed killed. Nine of the prisoners were wounded when captured.

 

Indeed the Daily Casualty List of 28/9/17 for OBLI has some 220 names  is made up principally of 200,000 series service numbers, suggesting they were mostly Bucks Bn men? I will test a few names. Here is a sample, incl Howse:

1896997070_GWFHowseWOBLICasListSep1917extract.JPG.125feec84519403322a9e1d86e24bdf4.JPG

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Hood 285080. Service Record shows 2/1st Bucks Bn at the time but went sick 25/8/17 PUO. This was perhaps after effects of battle of 22/23 Aug ? Anyway it was classed officially as wounding .

As will be seen from my next post, the Bn were out of the line on 25/8/17.

 

Edited by charlie962
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A bit more from Lightbobs showing the 2/1st were relieved straightway after the battle.

At night the Battalion was relieved by the 2/7th Worcesters, to whom they handed over a much-improved line, straighter and stronger than it had been when they took it over on the 20th. Many attempts were made by the Worcesters and Warwicks to clear the strong posts and gun-pits in front during their tour in the line, but without achieving any success, and they remained an annoyance until swept away in the general attack and advance on the 1st October.

The Battalion returned to their old bivouac at Goldfish Chateau, a sad return.
Except “A” Company, all were commanded by Sergeants. The men were in the last
stage of exhaustion, the strongest Company had barely 80, the weakest just over 50 in the ranks.

Practically all the officers had become casualties at the very commencement of the action, despite the fact that in accordance with orders they wore the dress and equipment of the men. This shows that in fighting at short range it is the act of leadership rather than the dress that dis­tinguishes the officer as a mark to be specially selected.

 

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Totally unaware that he was awarded a MM.. Would be very interested in finding any information about it. 

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1 hour ago, Sgt Stripes said:

Totally unaware that he was awarded a MM.. Would be very interested in finding any information about it. 

Sorry,I must be having a senior moment and mixed him with another!

I did see his bwm was sold late last year.

I'll double check.

Charlie

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