NAME; Killips,
William
RANK; Private
SERV. NO; 25892
UNIT/SERVICE; 9th
Battalion
REGIMENT;
Leicestershire Regiment
BORN; Carrickfergus,
1891
LIVED; Stamford, Lincolnshire
ENLISTED; Oakham, Rutland, 11 November 1915
FATE; Killed in
Action, France,
25 September 1916
CEMETERY; Body Never
Recovered
CHURCH; Unknown
MEMORIAL; Thiepval
Memorial (France) – Pier and Face 2C & 3A
REMARKS; William was
born in Carrickfergus in on 31 August 1891 the son of Robert and Hannah Killips
(nee McIlhagga) and brother of Cecil. William
left Carrickfergus when he was a young teenager and moved to Stamford
in Lincolnshire
with his family. Prior to the joining up he worked as a railway booking
clerk. Hen enlisted into the 9th
Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on 11 November 1915 and following training
was posted to Western Front 25 August 1915. He was killed in action at the Somme on 25 September 1916 aged 25. His body was never
recovered and he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial pier and face 2C and 3A.
William’s brother Cecil was also killed in action.
The War Diary entry for the 25th September 1916 records.
The morning was
spent in making final preparations for attack. Enemy shelling not heavy
and a few casualties were sustained. At 12.35pm waves were formed up in
front of trenches. At 12.37pm the advance commenced, “C” and “D”
Companies in extended order, “A” and “B” Companies in artillery
formation, enemy immediately commenced an extremely intense and deep
barrage. At 12.45pm the first two platoons of “D” Company reached GIRD
TRENCH, but sustained heavy casualties. All the Company officers
becoming casualties, 2nd Lt A. E. PETER, 2nd Lt. W. S. GILBERT, CSM
POTTERTON were all killed, 2nd Lt. CLARK was wounded. The remnants of
the first 2 waves of “C” Company reached GIRD TRENCH, but owing to
machine gun fire from the right, and the Brigade on the right, having
failed to take GIRD TRENCH, the party were all killed or wounded. 2nd
Lt. RENNIE was killed in GIRD TRENCH, Lt. HENWOOD was wounded. Captain
WEBB wheeled the 3rd and 4th waves of “C” Company and formed a defensive
flank down SUNKEN ROAD facing right. At 1.00pm Captain WEBB was wounded
and CSM RHODES was killed. “C” Company suffered extremely heavy
casualties from machine gun fire. “A” and “B” Companies advanced and
established themselves in NEW TRENCH, BULL TRENCH and PATROL TRENCH and
shell holes in the rear. Battalion HQ advanced from LEWIS TRENCH to
PATROL TRENCH. At 1.37pm Captain ALLBERRY led “A” Company forward but
was immediately killed by machine gun fire from the right flank. Lt.
HARDY, 2nd Lt. LEWIS, CSM RICE and many of Company becoming casualties
through the same cause. Lt. Col. HAIG was wounded in the arm in PATROL
TRENCH. At 1.37pm Battalion HQ advanced to BULL TRENCH. At 2.00pm the
remainder of Battalion HQ viz: Lt. Col. HAIG, Captain POPHAM (8th
LEICESTERSHIRE REGT), Lt. TOOTH and 3 orderlies advanced to NEW TRENCH.
Captain POPHAM and the 3 orderlies were wounded. At 2.35pm the advance
hung up on account of machine gun fire and rifle fire. Enemy still
occupying GIRD TRENCH on right of SUNKEN ROAD. Lt. Col. HAIG and Lt.
TOOTH advanced to NEW TRENCH and finding it empty, crossed over to GOAT
TRENCH. Only dead and wounded men were found in GOAT TRENCH, accordingly
Lt. Col. HAIG and Lt. TOOTH in anticipation that the front two
Companies had reached GIRD TRENCH, again advanced to PILGRIMS WAY where
40 other ranks of the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT were found without any
officer. Lt. Col. HAIG decided to remain and hold on with the 40 other
ranks until reinforcements arrived to clear GIRD TRENCH on right. At
3.00pm connection with 55th Division in GIRD TRENCH on the left of
PILGRIMS WAY was established. A bombing group of 8th and 9th
LEICESTERSHIRE REGT was organised and bombed down GIRD TRENCH on the
right of PILGRIMS WAY for 50 or 60 yards. Many of the enemy were killed
and 12 were taken prisoner. Owing to the lack of bombs, a block was
established, and a Lewis gun posted near the block. Lt. Col. HAIG sent
numerous reports on the situation to Brigade HQ, only two of which
reached Brigade, the orderlies being either killed or wounded. Heavy
shelling all the time. At 8.00pm connection with Brigade was established
through 2nd Lt. KELLY. During the night the ROYAL ENGINEERS constructed
a strong point at N.32.a.1.9. The night was spent digging in and
consolidating position. The enemy seemed to be working round behind
PILGRIMS WAY, but did not attack. From zero (12.35pm) to 5.30pm, the
enemy kept up a heavy and very deep barrage becoming intense at times.
Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
http://www.leicestershirewarmemorials.co.uk/war/casualty/view/21132
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