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World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great 1914 1918 first battalion regiment

1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers



   The 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers were in Portsmouth at the outbreak of war in August 1914. They proceeded to France landing at Le Havre on the 14th of August 1914. Serving with the 9th Brigade, 3rd Division, BEF. They remained on the Western Front throughout the conflict, seeing action in most of the major battles. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

5th August 1914 Mobilization

11th August 1914 Advance Party arrives

14th August 1914 Quartering Arrangements Completed

16th August 1914 Movement Orders

17th August 1914 On the Move

18th August 1914 On the Move

19th August 1914 Changes in quartering arrangements

20th August 1914 Changes in quartering arrangements

21st August 1914 Taking up stations in assigned areas.

22nd August 1914 Taking up stations in assigned areas.

23rd Aug 1914 1st Northumberlands defend the Canal

23rd August 1914 German attack crosses Canal

23rd Aug 1914 Hard Action

24th August 1914 Withdrawals

25th August 1914 Ongoing Retirement

26th August 1914 In Action

26th August 1914 Retirement

26th August 1914 Ongoing Retirement

27th Aug 1914 Rear Guard

27th August 1914 Continued withdrawals

28th Aug 1914 Rear Guard

28th August 1914 Initial Intelligence Report

29th August 1914 Ongoing Retirement

30th August 1914 Demolitions on withdrawals

31st August 1914 Continued withdrawals

4th September 1914 Enemy across the Marne

6th September 1914 Attack Made

7th September 1914 Attack progressing

8th September 1914 Ongoing Battles

9th September 1914 Ongoing Action

10th September 1914 Davance

11th September 1914 Continued progress

12th September 1914 Bad Weather

13th September 1914 Strong Opposition

14th September 1914 Further Advance

15th September 1914 Ongoing Action

15th September 1914 Shelling

16th September 1914 Difficulties

17th September 1914 Heavy Bombardment

18th September 1914 Night Attacks

19th September 1914 Attack Repulsed

20th September 1914 Ongoing Action

20th September 1914 Reliefs

21st September 1914 Attacks

22nd September 1914 Reliefs

23rd September 1914 Patrols

24th September 1914 Artillery Exchange

26th September 1914 Aircraft Assists

26th Sep 1914 Conflicting Information

27th September 1914 Continuing action around bridges

28th September 1914 Bridges

29th September 1914 Ongoing fighting on all fronts

30th September 1914 September Intelligence Summary

1st October 1914 Commencement of Move

11th Nov 1914 In Action

11th Nov 1914 Enemy Attack

12th Nov 1914 Machine Guns Active

15th Nov 1914 Counter Attack Suceeds

24th Dec 1914 Reliefs

18th Feb 1915 Reorganisation

21st Feb 1915 Misty Day  location map

22nd Feb 1915 Thick Mist  location map

23rd Feb 1915 Infantry Make Attack  location map

24th Feb 1915 Artillery Support  location map

26th Feb 1915 Reliefs  location map

27th Feb 1915 Conference  location map

28th Feb 1915 Shelling  location map

30th Apr 1915 Under Shellfire

6th Jun 1915 Reliefs Complete  location map

14th Jun 1915 Communication  location map

15th Jun 1915 Into Position  location map

16th Jun 1915 Attack Made  location map

7th Sep 1915 Houses shelled

6th March 1916 Casualties being evacuated for exhaustion and frost bite.

14th March 1916 Reliefs  location map

18th March 1916 Grenadiers and a proportion of Signalers proceeded to the trenches to relieve the specialists of 1st. N.F.

19th March 1916 At 1700 hours the Battalion marched to trenches at St. Eloi via Reninghelst - La Clytte crossroads - Cafe Belge - Voormezeele

27th Mar 1916 Attack Made by 1st Northumberlands

27th March 1916 Six mines were successfully exploded.

11th Jun 1915 Recce Made

12th Jun 1915 Recce

15th Jun 1915 Preparations

16th Jun 1915 Preparations  location map

10th September 1916 Reliefs

29th October 1916 Relieved the 1st Northumberland Fusiliers

22nd December 1916 Shelling

30th March 1917 On the March

31st March 1917 Reliefs

30th October 1917 Reliefs

9th December 1917 Recce

11th December 1917 Sunken road heavily shelled.

31st of January 1918 Training  location map

21st March 1918 Bombardment  location map

28th Mar 1918 Terrific Attack  location map

31st of March 1918 Relief Completed  location map

26th June 1918 Trench Work  location map

1st Aug 1918 Some Shelling  location map

1st Aug 1918 Dispositions  location map

2nd Aug 1918 Hostile Artillery Active  location map

3rd Aug 1918 Quiet

4th Aug 1918 Orders Received

5th Aug 1918 Patrols  location map

6th Aug 1918 Some Shelling

7th Aug 1918 HQ Moves

2nd September 1918 On the Move  location map

27th October 1918 Battalion moved from the Ecaillon and took over line of resistance East of Ruesnes

If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.





Want to know more about 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers?


There are:5336 items tagged 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers available in our Library

  These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.


Those known to have served with

1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers

during the Great War 1914-1918.

  • Alexander William. Pte. (d.16th Sep 1914)
  • Andrews Norman. Pte. (d.22nd December 1916)
  • Ayre Robert. A/CSM. (d.24th Oct 1918)
  • Beech Edward. Pte. (d.16th June 1915)
  • Bell John Henry. Pte. (d.3rd May 1917)
  • Bellerby John Henry. Pte. (d.26th Feb 1915)
  • Berry Henry Patterson. L/Cpl. (d.24th March 1918)
  • Blackbird George. Pte
  • Blue Alexander. Pte (d.3rd May 1917)
  • Bolam MM. John. Pte.
  • Boothman Alexander Robertson. Pte. (d.22nd Feb 1915)
  • Boyes James. Cpl. (d.22nd Feb 1915 )
  • Broderick John. Pte. (d.27th Oct 1914)
  • Burden Herbert Francis. Pte. (d.21st July 1915)
  • Campbell Henry W. Pte (d.24th Sep 1916)
  • Carr Harry. Pte. (d.1st Nov 1914)
  • Coates William. Pte.
  • Cockburn George. Sgt (d.20th Nov 1917)
  • Cowles Albert Victor. Pte (d.11th Jul 1916)
  • Cullen Edward. Pte. (d.27th Sep 1918)
  • Davis George William. A/Sgt
  • Dixon Matthew Burnett. Pte. (d.25th Oct 1918)
  • Dykes Thomas. Pte. (d.14th April 1915)
  • Felton John. Pte. (d.8th Oct 1918)
  • Fenwick Ralph William. Pte. (d.10th February 1917)
  • Foster William Henry. Pte. (d.18th Sep 1918)
  • Gilhooley MM. John. Sgt. (d.28th Mar 1916)
  • Gillborn DCM Leonard. A/CSM. (d.15th Nov 1914)
  • Gorman Hugh. Pte. (d.27th Mar 1916)
  • Graham Dougald. Pte. (d.12th Apr 1918)
  • Graham Henry. Pte. (d.1st March 1915)
  • Harding James Henry. Pte. (d.16th Jun 1915)
  • Hare Aaron. Pte. (d.29th Mar 1918)
  • Hobbs Lionel Arthur. L/Sgt.
  • Holmes William. Pte. (d.16th Jun 1915)
  • Holmes William. Pte. (d.16th June 1915)
  • Johnson Percy Richard. L/Cpl. (d.19th Apr 1918)
  • Johnson William. L/Cpl. (d.30th Mar 1915)
  • Johnson William. L/Cpl. (d.30th March 1915)
  • Joyce James. Pte. (d.16th June 1915)
  • Kearney Luke. Pte. (d.9th Nov 1914)
  • King Michael. Pte. (d.18th Jan 1915)
  • Knox Arthur Victor. Lt. (d.6th June 1917)
  • Lavery Joseph. Pte. (d.10th Nov 1916)
  • Lundy Albert James. Pte. (d.19th Sept 1914)
  • MacDonald Thomas Graham. Pte (d.22nd Apr 1917)
  • Marsh Thomas Oswald. Cpl. (d.18th Aug 1916)
  • McGrevy Harry. L/Cpl. (d.14th September 1914)
  • McLaughlin Patrick. CSM. (d.27th Mar 1916)
  • McLellan William. Pte. (d.8th Nov 1914)
  • Melville Abert. Pte. (d.16th Jun 1915)
  • Mirfin Walter. Pte. (d.26th October 1914)
  • Murray Peter. Pte. (d.25th Mar 1918)
  • Myers Herman Fieldhouse. Pte. (d.27th Sept 1918)
  • Nix Alfred Alaxander . Sgt.
  • O'Neill James. L/Cpl. (d.16th March 1915)
  • Owens Samuel. Pte. (d.22nd Aug 1917)
  • Priest George. L/Cpl. (d.15th June 1918)
  • Rangecroft John Whalley. L/Cpl. (d.9th May 1916)
  • Rudd Charles Flower. Cpl. (d.9th Jan 1915)
  • Russell Robert. Cpl. (d.17th Dec 1916)
  • Sanders Abner Edwin. Pte. (d.1st Nov 1914)
  • Sanders Abner Edwin. Pte. (d.1st Nov 1914)
  • Scott Wiiliam Thomas. Pte. (d.27th July 1915)
  • Scully William. Pte. (d.16th June 1915)
  • Shimeld Percy. Pte. (d.23rd-25th August 1918)
  • Smith George Norman. Pte (d.22nd May 1918)
  • Souter James. Pte. (d.28th Feb 1915)
  • Wallace William. Pte. (d.16th June 1915)
  • Warner Richard Samuel. Pte. (d.5th Aug 1918)
  • Watts Charles. Cpl. (d.9th Apr 1918)
  • Weldon MM Foster Thomas. Pte. (d.23rd December 1916)
  • White Alexander. Pte. (d.9th April 1917)
  • Whittaker Henry. Pte. (d.14th Jan 1917)
  • Widdowson Joseph. Sgt. (d.19th May 1915)
  • Wilkinson Mathew. Pte. (d.8th Nov 1914)
  • Wilson Joseph Edgar. L/Cpl. (d.6th May 1918)
  • Woods Frederick. Pte. (d.3rd May 1917)

All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List

Records of 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers from other sources.


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  Pte. William Henry Foster 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusliers (d.18th Sep 1918)

William Henry Foster was my mother's brother. Now it is 100 years since the start of the 1st World War I just want anyone friend or relative to know that he is remembered. No one ever visited his grave at Terlincthun Wimille, France that I know of but he is remembered. I think of him often.

Jenny






  Pte. Dougald Graham 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.12th Apr 1918)

Dougald Graham died on the 12th of April 1918, aged 22 and is buried in the Etaples Military cemetery in France. He was the son of Mr and Mrs Peter and Mary Graham, of 45 Calder Street, Motherwell, Lanarkshire. Dougald had a brother John who was killed in action.

s flynn






  Cpl. Robert Russell 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.17th Dec 1916)

Robert Russell died of wounds on the 17th of December aged 20 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Mrs Russell of 118 Percy Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

s flynn






  Pte. Frederick Woods 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.3rd May 1917)

Fred Woods was born in Hucknall Torkard, now known simply as Hucknall, Nottinghamshire in 1898. In 1911 he was living in Stamford at 39 St Paul's Street (now demolished) with his parents Frank Woods and Mary Ann (nee Hodgett) Woods, his sister Lucy (11) and brothers Frank (8) and Bertie (4). His father was a fitter at Martins Cultivator Company – both his parents and all his siblings were born in Stamford. In 1901 the family had been living at 2 Reynolds Court, St George’s Street. At the time of that census his father was a soldier serving in South Africa in the Second Boer War.

Following in his father's footsteps Fred enlisted for military service in Sleaford joining the 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Details of his early service have not been located. From the WWI Casualty Records we learn he served in France & Flanders. On 3rd of May 1917 at the age of 19 he was wounded and presumed killed during the Arras Offensive during the Third Battle of Scarpe. Having no known grave and based on his relevant military service, Fred has recently been accepted for commemoration on the Arras Memorial. He is also remembered on the Stamford Memorial and St George's Church Roll.

Gary Kidd






  Pte. Alexander White 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.9th April 1917)

Alexander White is my great uncle who died 9th of April 1917 and buried at Duisan British Cemetery, Etrun France. My grandfather Alexander's brother died also 1917.

Angela McGrath






  L/Cpl. Harry McGrevy 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.14th September 1914)

Harry McGrevy was the son of Henry and Margaret McGrevy. Husband of Ruth McGrevy and father to Margaret McGrevy. His brothers Arthur and James McGrevy were also both killed in action.

Kelly Middler






  Pte. Richard Samuel Warner 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.5th Aug 1918)

Sam Warner is remembered on the War Memorial in Alne Church, York.

Martin Warner






  Cpl. Thomas Oswald Marsh 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.18th Aug 1916)

Thomas Marsh served with the 1st Northumberland Fusiliers.

John Frederick Gibbs






  Pte Thomas Graham MacDonald A Squadron 1st Btn Northumberland Hussars (d.22nd Apr 1917)

We never knew this Grandfather but recently three generations of us visited his graveside in Aubigny-en-Artois. A very moving and poignant time.







  Pte. Edward Cullen 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.27th Sep 1918)

Edward Cullen was my great great uncle. He was born in 1899, son of Patrick and Mary Cullen of 86 St Anne Street, Birkenhead. He was a Private in the 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Edward was Killed in action in Flanders on the 27th of September 1918 at the age of 19. His body was never found.

Stephen Jones






  Pte. William Scully 1st Battalion, W Coy. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.16th June 1915)

William Scully was a professional soldier having joined up in late 1912. He was declared killed in action on the 16th of June 1915 after an attack on the German trenches. His body is yet to be found. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate.

Andrew Scully






  Pte. Percy Shimeld 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (d.23rd-25th August 1918)

Percy on left with his Brother Harold

Percy Shimeld was my mother's brother. He joined up under age and was just 19 when he was killed in action near Achiet le Grand. He has no knowm grave but his name is commemorated on the Memorial at Vis-en-Artois.

Peter Rhodes






  Sgt. Joseph Widdowson 1st Battalioin Northumberland Fusiliers (d.19th May 1915)

Joseph Widdowson enlisted around 1902 and probably entered the Reserve around 1910 or 11. He re-enlisted at Newark and entered theatre on 2nd of November 1914 serving in Y Company, 1st Northumberland Fusiliers.

The battalion had been heavily engaged in October around Herlies and at Messines on 1st of November and were at that time fighting at Herenthage Chateau. On 16th of June 1915, he took part in the attack on Bellewaarde Ridge as part of an attempt by 9th Brigade to break through the German lines and reach Bellewaarde Lake. The War Diary lists him as missing, but he was actually wounded and a prisoner of war.

Joseph succumbed to his wounds on the 19th of June 1915 and was buried in the German Military Cemetery at Ledeghem. After the war his body was reinterred in the Harlebeke New British Cemetery.

Ian Bramley






  Pte. Norman Andrews 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.22nd December 1916)

Norman Andrews was born on 22nd November 1887 to William and Martha Carlisle Andrew at 17A Ashfield, Horton, Bradford. The ninth of eleven children, nine of which survived childhood. His birth certificate also states that his father was a postman. He first appears on the 1891 census aged 3 and living at 324 Barkerend Road, Bradford, in the parish of St Peters and East Bradford Parliamentary Constituency. His youngest brother, Arthur Edward was yet to be born. Two older siblings, William Ernest and Florence had already passed away. William Ernest died on 3 September 1883 aged 4 from scarlet fever and convulsions which he had endured for three days. Florence died on 22 April 1882 aged 1 from an inflammation of the chest which she had endured for 9 days. Their father was the informant and present at the death of both his children. No record has yet been found for Norman on the 1901 census, but he features on the 1911 census. At this time he is 23 and living at 28 Fitzroy Road, Bradford together with his mother, aged 60 and 5 unmarried siblings. He is recorded as being single, a patternman working in stuffs. He was involved in the manufacture of worsted.

During World War I, Norman played his part for King and Country. He served in both the 8th and 1st Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers, his rank being that of Private. On 21st of September 1915, he disembarked in the Balkans and for his participation in this conflict was entitled to the decoration of the 1914-15 Star.

Norman did not survive the war and was killed in action on the Somme on 22n d of December 1916. The Northumberland Fusiliers Diary for December 1916 records little action for that month, the actual battle of the Somme having ended on 18th of November. In December the battalion comprised working parties repairing trenches and delivering rations to the front lines. The entry for the day on which Norman was killed reads as follows, "22nd of December 1916 Owing to the heavy going and the darkness of the night it was found impossible to carry all rations to front line companies without some parties doing 3 journeys to the ration dump. The enemy shelled the right (X boys) front in the afternoon one shell breaking down the roof of one of the big dug-outs burying 10 men. After working 1.9 hours all but 3 men were got out, one of whom was killed. R.E. assistance did not arrive until 8 hours after the dug-out was blown in. As it was impossible to get at the remaining 3 men, who it was known must be dead, the systematic re-building of the dug-out was begun. It is thought that the breakdown was due to there being some shell holes on the top of the dug-out which had not been filled in."

Norman is buried in Courcelles-au-Bois Communal Cemetery. The entry in the cemetery records reads, Son of William and Martha Andrews, of 27 Silverhill Drive, Thornbury, Bradford, Yorkshire. Remembered with honour. The inscription on his tombstone reads "He sleeps with England's heroes in the watchful care of God."

<p>Courcelles-au-Bois Cemetery

Anne






  L/Cpl. Percy Richard Johnson 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.19th Apr 1918)

Dick Johnson served with the 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers.

Judy Weatherley






  Pte. Michael King 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.18th Jan 1915)

Michael King was born 8th February 1891 in Newcastle-on-Tyne, Northumberland. A son of William John King and Isabella (nee: Spoor). Sadly, this couple also lost another son, Charles Thomas King, to the Great War. Michael was killed in action at Ypres in Flanders. He was survived by his wife, Emily Annie (nee Driscoll) and his son, Thomas King.

Patricia King Hughes






  Lt. Arthur Victor Knox 5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.6th June 1917)

My Great Uncle, Arthur Knox of 5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, attached to 1st Battalion, was killed in action on the 6th of June 1917 in France. His body was never recovered. Remembered at Arras Memorial, France.

<p>St George's Gazette 1917

Christopher Knox






  A/Sgt George William Davis 1st Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers

Speaking with my father one time, he mentioned that his uncle, George William Davis's, medals had been handed down to him, so I immediately asked to see them. What I found was a little treasure trove, because it wasn't just the medals, but a small package with lots of goodies inside. In addition to his medals, there was something I had never seen before, a silver War Badge and the certificate to match it by name and serial number: B38666.

The package also contained his Soldier's Small Book with his enlistment and discharge details, an Active Service Testament with a date of 21st January 1915, a book titled Trench Orders British Salonika Army, a book titled A Short History of the Fifth Fusiliers from 1674 to 1911 and a book titled Balkan Army Uniforms. Plus a pack of playing cards advertising Scissors Cigarettes. Additionally, there were two letters, one detailing the formation of the Fifth Fusiliers Old Comrades Association, dated 15th November 1913 and the other dated 30th March 1950 from Depot Fifth Fusiliers thanking George for donating items to the Museum.

Also included were two postcards, the first unsent is a tale of Brocton Camp (research tells me this was in Staffordshire), which was used as a staging camp during the war. The other is dated 25th August 1916 with a stamp saying On Active Service. This was sent to his wife living in Kings Langley at the time.

So now I turned my attention to the medals and War Badge, and what a fascinating collection it is. From left to right there are: North West Frontier 1908, India; 1914 Star with clasp 5th August to 22nd November 1914; British War Medal; Victory Medal; Defence Medal 1939-1945.

George enlisted on 23rd December 1903 at Woolwich, hence the 1908 medal, and was discharged on 5th November 1918. So the Defence Medal was for service in the Home Guard, and I've still to do that research. The medal ribbons were in a very poor state, so I arranged with my Father to have the medals remounted and placed in a display box. The original medal ribbons were returned to us, and a good job too. When I pealed back the old ribbons, I found the original ribbon bar underneath. The 1914 Star with clasp entitles the recipient to wear a silver rosette on the medal ribbon bar when not wearing their medals and there was the rosette! The Silver War Badge was issued in the United Kingdom and the British Empire to service personnel who had been honourably discharged due to wounds or sickness from military service in World War I. The serial number is stamped on the back of the badge and in this instance matches the certificate dated 29th November 1918 issued to G W Davies. And this is part of the problem of ancestry research, because his surname is spelt Davis. The problem doesn't stop there either; some of the medals have his name spelt Davies as well! No wonder ancestry research can be so frustrating, but I will keep on digging.

<p>GW Davis Medals

Bob Cotter






  Pte. John Bolam MM. 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

John Bolam is my great granddad. He was a regular soldier before the Great War and was posted to Hilsbrough Barracks in Sheffield were he met my great grandma Jessie around 1910.

Not 100% sure on what happened during the war years as he changed battalions with in the Northumberland Fusiliers around 6 times, my guess is because of the heavy losses. He was also a military medal winner and it was published in September 1917 in the news paper. From 3rd party information family it was for taking out a gun position on his own because everyone was killed on the journey.

I'm currently researching information on him to build up is journey Would be great to find the whole truth and his journey on the western front I'm also a soldier and have served in the recent wars and I have a lot of respect for these guys my experiences are nothing compared to these guys.

Nick






  Pte Albert Victor Cowles 1st Btn Northumberland Fusiliers (d.11th Jul 1916)

Albert Victor Cowles was my grandfather's brother. Albert was 19 years old when he was killed in action on the Somme. He has no grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Monument. The 1911 Census states that Albert was 14 years of age and at that time, was working as a Pony Driver at Tinsley Pit, Sheffield. One of Albert's older brothers - David - was killed in 1915 at Gallipoli. My grandfather John survived the war, but as he suffered the effects of gassing in the trenches, he was never strong again and died in 1935 aged 45 years - as much a casualty of WWI as his brothers.

Kathryn Hulley






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