No.20856, Private, William James PUTNAM
Aged 36
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Born in Stratford on 23rd April 1981 (2nd qtr West Ham 4a:28) son of Walter and Anna PUTNAM (née TUCKER). Baptised in Holy Trinity, Harrow Green,
Essex on 16th August 1892.
1891 census...Aged 9, he was at 5 Second Avenue, Wanstead with his father Walter PUTNAM [35] Cooper born Henstead; hos mother Anna [32] born Dover; sisters Elizabeth [13] born Poplar, Emily [11] born West Ham and Rosa [4 months] born Wanstead; brothers Walter [7] and George [5] both born Wanstead 1901 census...Aged 19, a cooper, he was at 52 Melrose Road, Cann Hall, Wanstead with his parents; sisters Elizabeth, Emily and Rose; brothers Walter (labourer), George (tea merchant's office boy), Albert [8],Edwin [6], Ernest [3] and Herbert [4 months]. All after William recorded as born Leyton. He married Ruth Eleanor ROBINSON in St Paul's Stratford on 17th June 1905 1911 census...Aged 29, a cooper, he was at 92 Chobham Road, Startford with his wife Ruth Eleanor [31] born Camberwell and their son William Frederick [27-3-1907] born Stratford. His wife died in Bury St.Edmunds in 1916, of Southgate Street, Bury St.Edmunds. His mother (of 52 Kingston Road, Leytonstone) became guardian of William Frederick |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds. The war diary has :- In trenches H38 to H42 (51b.G.35.c.3.1. to 51b.G.35.d.9.8) {yellow line in image below}. At 2:59 am the enemy put up a heavy barrage of fire on our front and patrol lines and which continued for some time.He fired several signals during the bombardment, but nothing in the nature of offensive action took place At 3:4 am OC "A"Coy got into touch with C46 Battery who immediately put up a very heavy barrage on enemy front line opposite H38, 39 and 40. Situation was normal by 4:5 am .. Casualties 2 OR wounded. Several fires were observed during the night of 17/18th well in rear of enemy line. 6 explosions were heard in rear of enemy support and front lines. During the afternoon patrols were sent out by this Battn and met with no resistance, finding the German 1st, 2nd and 3rd line of trenches un-occupied, but in a very bad state. Patrols report that most of the enemy dugouts had been demolished by him before leaving. CWGC have 13 of the Battalion killed on 18th, only four have known graves. The red line below is the German 4th line, occupied on 19th by KSLI.
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