Will O'Brien Posted 10 May , 2006 Share Posted 10 May , 2006 As per CWGC Name: MEADOWS, JAMES HARRY Initials: J H Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Welsh Regiment Unit Text: 14th Bn. Age: 24 Date of Death: 10/05/1918 Service No: 35392 Additional information: Son of James and Ellen Meadows, of Cardiff. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: II. J. 1. Cemetery: VARENNES MILITARY CEMETERY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will O'Brien Posted 10 May , 2006 Author Share Posted 10 May , 2006 & the cemetery info Cemetery: VARENNES MILITARY CEMETERY Country: France Locality: Somme Visiting Information: Wheelchair access to this cemetery is possible, but may be by alternative entrance. For further information regarding wheelchair access, please contact our Enquiries Section on 01628 507200. Location Information: Varennes is a village 11 kilometres from Albert and 18 kilometres from Amiens. Take the D938 from Albert to Doullens. In Hedauville turn left on the D47E towards Varennes. 2 kilometres further on you will come to a crossroads in the village of Varennes where you should turn right. About 300 metres further, turn left following the CWGC sign, and the Cemetery will be found about 500 metres further on the right. Historical Information: The cemetery was laid out by the 39th Casualty Clearing Station in August 1916, during the Battle of the Somme, but the first burials were made during August and September by more mobile divisional field ambulances. The 4th and 11th Casualty Clearing Stations then used the cemetery from October 1916, joined by the 47th from December 1916, but by May 1917 Varennes was deserted and remained so until the Germans launched their offensive in this quarter in April 1918. The cemetery was then extended by the 17th and 38th (Welsh) Divisions by the addition of plots II and III, and at the beginning of September 1918, the 3rd Canadian and 59th Casualty Clearing Stations arrived at Varennes. The cemetery contains 1,219 burials of the First World War, two of which were brought in from Varennes Communal Cemetery in 1934. The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield. No. of Identified Casualties: 1219 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will O'Brien Posted 10 May , 2006 Author Share Posted 10 May , 2006 James' online MIC index entry can be seen here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will O'Brien Posted 10 May , 2006 Author Share Posted 10 May , 2006 James is listed on the 1901 census as a 7 year old living with his family in the parish of Canton, Glamorganshire. James was the only one in his family who was Welsh born, having been born in Cardiff. James' family consisted of his parents James William & Ellen. Both were 40 years of age & both were natives of Bedford. James' fathers occupation is listed as a Car Conductor. James' paternal Grandmother Ann also lived with the family. She was 72 years old & a native of Great Oakley in Essex. James also had 2 elder siblings, Nellie Matlida his sister who was 4 years older & John William his brother who was 3 years older. Both Nellie & John were born in Bedford like their parents Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottsGreys Posted 11 May , 2006 Share Posted 11 May , 2006 Forum Pal Bernard Lewis' recent history of the 14th (Swansea) Bn devotes 3 full pages to the action in which Pte Meadows fell--the attack on Aveluy Wood in which one company of the 14th provided support for the 15th Welsh. The Swansea company suffered 12 killed and 30 wounded, with the company commander, Captain Strange being captured. See pages 159-161 of Bernard's Swansea Pals. Perhaps he will see this thread and elaborate further on the action. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrtle Posted 11 May , 2006 Share Posted 11 May , 2006 SDGW Born: Cardiff Enlisted: Cardiff Died of Wounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard_Lewis Posted 11 May , 2006 Share Posted 11 May , 2006 Bottsgreys has beaten me to it. 10 May 1918 did see the the Swansea Bn supporting an attack on Aveluy Wood. Accidentally shelled by its own artillery the attack broke up in confusion. Sadly I have no other info on Pte Meadows. Canton is a suburb of Cardiff. Nice to see him remembered on the Forum. If anyone has any other info on him or - indeed - any Swansea Bn man I'd be happy to see it. Bernard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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