William Baugh, Age 19

Private, 26094, 6^th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry.

William's grave is at Dozinghem Cemetery,
reference IV.B.10.

K.S.L.I Regiment Cap Badge.

William was the son of George & Martha Baugh who in 1901 were living at 152 Bank Road, William being a bricklayer's labourer aged 15 in that year (1901).

William was mobilised about mid-February 1917 and landed in France from about mid May onwards and posted to 6/K.S.L.I.

The 6^th KSLI had assembled west of the Steenbeck during the night of the 15^th/16^th August 1917 and during the night a German barrage landed on the waiting troops, they endured it for half an hour until the British barrage opened up and the attacking troops went forward, The 6^th advanced at approx 5:00am the conditions at the time where awful with men being stuck in mud and having to be pulled out by comrades.

The objectives were taken and approx 130 prisoners sent back, but the Germans counter attacked at 9:00am and made inroads on the KSLI's left were the 12^th KRRC were holding the line. The German attack was repulsed and the line consolidated. The 6th were relieved on the night of the 17/18^th by the 10^th Welsh.

Map of the area, trenches corrected to 5^th May 1917

The Wellington Journal & Shrewsbury News of 1^st September 1917 reported: -
Mr W Baugh, The Lodge, Ironbridge has received notification of the death from wounds of his son Pt. W Baugh, K.S.L.I. He has received the following communication from his son's officer. It is with great regret I have to write to inform you of the death of your son we attacked the Boche at 4:45am and at 6:00am your son along with his Lewis gun team went forward to occupy a trench which our first troops had captured when he was shot by a sniper.

He was well liked in the company and his pals wish to convey to you their heartfelt sympathy in your loss. I am sorry to loose your son as he was such a good man. Pt. Baugh who was 19 had previously worked at the Severn Foundry.

***

Victory Medal	British War Medal

Note: My research as shown this William Baugh 26094 to be from Ironbridge and the son of William and Eliza Baugh who in the 1911 census lived at 21, Lincoln Hill, Ironbridge.