Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Wartnaby Warner a bookseller, printer and stationer, born 1846 in Wymeswold, Leicestershire and his wife Mary Alice Warner (nee Easom, married in the 4th quarter of 1878 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1855 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. John Eric was an apprentice bookseller and stationer and was born in the 1st quarter of 1893 in Melton Mowbray, his siblings were, Frank Easom a bookseller and stationers assistant, born 1882 and Gwendoline Alice a daily governess, born 1886, both his siblings were born in Melton Mowbray, in April 1911 the family home was at South Parade, Melton Mowbray. John first entered the theatre of war on the 29th July 1915, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 14-14 Jul-16 - 14th July 1916 at 3.00 am. Dispositions as follows, Battalion HQ. same place as above, “D” Company in 2 lines of 2 platoons with its right on the railway 200 yards in front of north edge of wood. “C” Company moved up to the north edge, “B” Company supporting 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT lying in the north east corner of the wood, “A” Company supported the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT lying out in the open on the eastern side of the wood. Battalion raiders and “D” Company bombers were lying out in front of “D” Company 1st wave. During our intense bombardment from 3.00 am., enemy subjected the north edge of the wood and the wood itself to very heavy bombardment and machine gun fire. 3.25 am. “D” Company advanced preceded by the raiders and bombers to their objective which was about 100 yards of VILLA TRENCH to the left of the railway LEFT TRENCH and ASTON TRENCH. During intense bombardment they crept up as close as possible. In the actual attack this Company suffered considerably from hostile machine gun fire, not a single officer reaching VILLA TRENCH. The Company was led by its N.C.O.’s. Very little opposition was encountered once VILLA TRENCH was reached, dug outs were immediately bombed and the Lewis guns which followed up closely took up a position in VILLA TRENCH and caused a considerable number of casualties amongst the retreating enemy. Although the majority of the raiders had been knocked out, the remainder did excellent work in bombing towards the left flank and blocking VILLA and ASTON TRENCHES. “D” Company consolidated these trenches as quickly as possible. At 4.25am. “C” Company and 1st waves of “A” and “B” Companies advanced over the 450 yards of no man’s land and arrived at BAZENTIN LE PETIT WOOD, “C” Company going up the west side of the wood as far as FOREST TRENCH support, eventually advancing with 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT as far as the north edge of the wood on the way bombing two enemy dug outs in the wood. This Company’s final position was from ASTON TRENCH to within about 100 yards of north west corner of wood. “B” Company and “A” Company on arrival at the wood pushed forward in support of 7th and 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT the whole three advancing to the north edge of the wood and BAZENTIN LE PETIT village. The enemy put up a strong resistance in FOREST TRENCH but withdrew to the outskirts of the village and the extreme north east corner of the wood, the time was about 8.00am. During the advance over no man’s land a number of casualties received due to enemy machine gun situated in the middle of the wood on platforms up large trees. About 5.00 am. Commanding Officer and Adjutant came over to south west corner of wood where Battalion Headquarters was established. 5.25 am. Last wave of “A” and “B” Companies came over and passed right through the wood to the north edge. 5.00am. Enemy counter attacked up ASTON and VILLA TRENCHES with bombs and rifle grenades, “C” Company under 2nd Lieutenant ALEXANDER formed bombing parties and drove them back, the latter and the Colonel losing their lives about this time. The left flank was continually rifle grenaded till about 2.30 pm. 10.00 am. Enemy counter attacked the north edge of the wood but were repulsed by rifle and Lewis gun fire after 3 hours of fighting. About this time 50 men were sent up from FOREST TRENCH where they were consolidating to support “C” Company’s right. Every effort was now made to consolidate positions gained. From 3.00 to 4.15 pm. enemy bombarded BAZENTIN LE PETIT WOOD and no man’s land very heavily, using tear shells, when the 1st EAST YORKSHIRE REGT came up with reinforcements. Night of 14th/15th. North edge of wood was much troubled by a party of enemy entrenched outside, who caused several casualties with rifle grenades and sniping. This party was eventually driven out by stokes gun on night of 16th/17th instant.
15th July 1916 at 6.00 am. Battalion had orders to withdraw to a spot in rear of MAMETZ WOOD together with the 7th and 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT. On its arrival it was ordered to resume its positions in BAZENTIN LE PETIT WOOD as soon as possible, which it did. Nothing of importance happened after this till the Battalion was relieved except continual sniping from the enemy. Rations and water and small arms ammunition came up each evening and were successfully distributed except in the case of an isolated party of “B” Company in BAZENTIN village on evening of 14th.
On Friday August 4th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” - LCE.CORPL. ERIC WARNER KILLED. Widespread sympathy will be extended to Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Warner, of The Library, Melton, in the loss they have sustained by the death of their younger son, Lance-Corpl. Eric Warner, of the – Leicesters. Although the bereaved parents have as yet received no official intimation, there can be little doubt as to the truth of the report, as three different letters have been received in Melton conveying the sad news. One Melton soldier writing to his parents says; “I am afraid there will be many sorrowful homes in Leicestershire and for Leicestershire people. We have suffered rather heavily. Wall Hutteries is all right, but poor Eric Warner is killed. He was hit in the chest with a shell, and killed instantly. Please convey to his people my deepest sympathy in their sad bereavement. It will be a terrible blow to them.” The writer goes on to state that in the charge practically all his officers were either killed or wounded, and he was left with only one second-lieutenant to carry on the charge. One platoon got detached and he went through shell fire to fetch it back, then took charge of the company during the five days and five nights fighting which ensued. When they were eventually relieved and went back the Colonel of the regiment congratulated them and their splendid achievement and the heroism they had displayed on taking a vital point. He was proud of them for they had worthily upheld the glorious traditions of the Leicestershire Regiment. The following is an extract from a letter written by Pte. Sid Summerfield to a personal friend in Melton; “Of course you will have understood by what I have already written that we have done just a little towards the advance. We were placed at one of the most advanced parts where the advance is being made, and I assure you it was some warm. We had to march over three miles of conquered ground to describe it fully would take years. The land surface was in an indescribable state of confusion. Villages which have figured most prominently were nothing but ruins, and the ground was one mass of great shell holes, leaving hardly a blade of grass uncovered. Desolation reigns supreme, and even the woods, as there were only a few stumps left standing here and there, without almost the least vestige of foliage. Before making the advance on the morning of the fourteenth we crept to within a hundred yards of the German line, and there we lay for two hours, making what shelter we could in the numerous shell holes. The hour we spent out there during the bombardment will forever live in my memory. It seems to me when I look back more like a horrible dream. Shells fell like rain, or rather they appeared to and I was completely buried once. I can tell you I was mighty thankful when the order came to charge. Here we were lucky as we only met with very little machine gun fire. The artillery did their work grandly. When we got to the German trenches we found them practically levelled to the ground, half burying hundreds of dead Germans. The few that remained alive retired to another trench, but these we soon took prisoners – altogether well over 500. Altogether we did very well indeed, capturing a village, a wood, trenches and numerous machine guns. These we held for three days until we were relieved. Am glad to say we are well out of it now, having a rest. I don’t expect it will be long before we are at it again though. Our casualties were not heavy considering the gains, but alas, I am afraid poor Eric is killed. When last seen he was badly wounded in the stomach, and I’m afraid he died soon afterwards. We smoked our last cigarette together just for luck, and fancy, he is no more. Bollands was wounded in the arm, and from what I can gather only very slightly. No doubt you will be hearing from him soon, so you see I am the only one of the three left. Eric acted like a real hero as when the officers and all the other N.C.O.’s had been either killed or wounded, he took command, remaining as cool as though he was on parade, rallying his men in fine form. There is just the faintest chance that he is still alive, but I am afraid. How on earth I got through untouched I shall never be able to understand. There were very few killed, the majority being slightly wounded. Our own artillery were simply great, and to them we owe our thanks. If they can only be kept plentifully supplied with shells the war will soon be over. It all depends on that.”
Lance-Corpl. Warner was 23 years of age, served his apprenticeship in his father’s business, afterwards taking a situation in a stationer’s business at Plymouth. When the war broke out he at once came home and enlisted in the Leicestershire Regiment. He went out to France in July, 1915, and has not been home since. Deceased who was of a cheerful and lovable disposition, was very popular with all who knew him. His chief recreations were lawn tennis and swimming, and during the summer he regularly took his morning dip at Swans Nest.
On Friday January 26th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS” The following local casualties are officially reported. All are privates except where otherwise shown. The town shown against each soldier’s name is the home of his next-of-kin. From Sunday’s list:- KILLED. (Previously reported missing). LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. Warner, 13076, Lance-Corpl. E. (Melton Mowbray).