145346 Lieut James William "Billy" Budd British Army 2/5th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regt from:North Finchley, London This is a potted history of my Grandfather, James Budd he was born 22/12/1893 in Finchley. He had a good standard of education and became a qualified dentist. Joined 8th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders October 1914 (Home service training in Bedford. March 1915 Commissioned into 2/5 Royal Warwickshire Regt. Training in England until May 1916 when landed in France as part of 61st Division which was in the LAVENTIE sector. Trained in the area for the Battle of Fromelles which was due to take place on July 19 1916 and was a feint to draw German troops from reinforcing the Somme sector. War Diary - 1st July 1916 In trenches Moated Grange "Germans opened intense bombardment of our front line and placed a barrage on our post at M Sq.D. They attempted to raid but were driven off. Bombardment ceased 11.30pm. Trenches obliterated for 50 yards and serious damage along whole of line." This damage unfortunately included James "Billy" Budd who was blown up twice - according to the medical records but 3 times according to JWB. On the second occasion he was rendered unconscious and removed from the line when the Bttn went into reserve on 4th July 1916. His friends Lieut Leonard Lamaison and H Truman were killed in the same bombardment along with 21 other ranks, who are all buried together in the Rue-de-Bacquerot No 1 cemetery, Laventie. There is no record of these deaths in the war diary! JWB was unconscious for three weeks and repatriated from Boulogne on 28th July 1916 and admitted to No 4 General Hospital Denmark Hill, suffering from shell shock.The officer who signed the initial admission form at No 4 General hospital was Major Biggs. He was finally pronounced fit on August 22nd 1917 and returned to his unit at Horton Hutments Northumberland. He served the rest of the war and became ADC to Brig Gen Boyd ending up relinquishing his commission in 1920 when he was serving with 2nd Leicestershire regiment.. JWB suffered throughout his life from the devastating effects of the concussion and although becoming a company director in a pub and catering company NEVER was able to take noise of any sort, including rustling of paper, leaves blowing and doors shutting. His condition worsened with age. He died in 1965. On the day he was finally admitted to hospital in 1964, my grandmother went around the house singing and slamming all the doors. We all wondered what she was going to slam next! JWB always said that he "Left his ears at Neuve Chapelle"!
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