Rupert Basil Wooler
- Family History
- Military History
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John Wooler, a corn miller and merchant, married Lydia Brooke in 1873 at Dewsbury Yorkshire. Nine of their eleven children survived into adulthood. One was Rupert Basil Wooler who was born at Batley Yorkshire in 1888. He was absent from the family home in 1901 and missing from the census although his elder brother, James Cuthbert Wooler was recorded as a boarder at Worksop College School in 1901. Rupert was admitted to the same college in 1905 and his name appears as a fatality on the College war memorial. By the age of 23 in 1911 Rupert was a boarder at 1 The Crescent Roundhay Leeds. John and Lydia Wooler later moved to 37 Henleaze Road Bristol.
Rupert was drafted to France on the 5th October 1915. He was probably killed in the second Battle of Arras which lasted from 9 April to 16 May 1917. His body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.Extract from War Diaries :- 12th (S) Bn West Yorks Regt.3rd May 1917, trenches E of Monchy – At zero hour (3. 45 am) it was pitch dark and there was very thick mist which lasted far into the morning. The attack commenced punctually at zero hour but owing to the darkness, mist, strong concentration of hostile MG, prompt heavy hostile barrage and alertness of the enemy, the attack made very little progress and soon became more or less disorganised and men had to take shelter in shell holes. Casualties:- killed Capt J H Getty, 2 nd Lt H Booth, 2nd Lt PL Smith, and 24 other ranks. Wounded:- 2nd Lt E G Groves, 2nd Lt E Holden, Lt WJ Charsley, 2nd Lt E Bradley, Lt C Sanders and 109 other ranks. Missing:- 2nd Lt RB WOOLER and 26 other ranks. Missing believed killed:- 3 other ranks. Admitted to hospital suffering from gas poisoning:- 4 other ranks. The weather was very hot and the cause of much discomfiture to the garrison in the trenches.
His rank is incorrectly cited as Captain by CWGC. Other sources (War Diaries and other records) recorded him as 2nd Lieutenant.His will reads:- Wooler Rupert Basil of 24 Wellington Chambers Aire Street Leeds died 3rd May 1917 in France. Probate London 24 January [1920] to Margaret Wooler spinster and Charles Reginald Bagley insurance broker, Effects £2229 5s
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