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10th Battalion, Essex Regiment    10th (Service) Battalion, Essex Regiment was raised at Warley in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 53rd Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. They moved to Shorncliffe and then to Colchester and to Codford St Mary in May 1915 for final training. They proceeded to France on the 26th of July 1915, landing at Boulogne, the divsion concentrating near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918. 24th Jul 1915 Advance Party Departs  The Transport and Machine Guns of the 10th Battalion Essex Regt, Lieutenants E.B.P. Davis and W.C. Neild under command of Major C.M. Wheatley entrained at Codford St Marys's, Wiltshire and proceeded to Havre via Southampton for active service. 10th Btn. Essex Regiment war diary WO95/2038 25th Jul 1915 10th Essex Proceed to France  10th Battalion Essex Regiment entrained at Codford St Mary's for active Service in France, less Transport & Machine Guns, Major Wheatley, Lieuts Davis and Neild. They embarked at Folkstone at about midnight 25th/26th July and arrived at Boulogne camp at 3am 26th July. Before the division set sail for France the King sent a message of farewell. It read: Officers, Non Commissioned Officers and Men, You are about to join your comrades at the front in bringing to a successful end this relentless war of nearly twelve months' duration. Your prompt patriotic answer to the Nation's Call to Arms will never be forgotten. The keen exertion of all ranks during the period of training have brought you to a state of efficiency not unworthy of my Regular Army. I am confident that in the field you will nobly uphold the traditions of the fine regiments whose names you bear. Ever since your enrolment I have closely watched the growth and steady progress of all units. I shall continue to follow with interest the fortunes of your division. In bidding you farewell, I pray that God may bless you in all your undertakings. General Maxse replied: I beg you will convey to his Majesty our unalterable devotion to his Person and to His Throne and our fixed determination to uphold the best traditions of the British Army in war. 10th Btn. Essex Regiment war diary WO95/2038 26th Jul 1915 10th Essex entrain 27th Jul 1915 On the March 31st Jul 1915 In Billets 31st July 1915 Conference 1st Aug 1915 Conference 2nd Aug 1915 On the March   2nd Aug 1915 Inspection   3rd Aug 1915 10th Essex in Billets   4th Aug 1915 Companies under instruction   9th Aug 1915 Companies under instruction   10th Aug 1915 Companies under instruction   11th Aug 1915 Companies under instruction   12th Aug 1915 10th Essex in Billets 13th Aug 1915 On the March 13th August 1915 Instruction 14th Aug 1915 In Billets 18th Aug 1915 Brigade Parade 20th Aug 1915 53rd Brigade Inspected 21st Aug 1915 10th Essex ordered to move 22nd Aug 1915 On the March 27th Aug 1915 Working Parties 28th Aug 1915 First Casualty for 10th Essex 29th Aug 1915 Enemy Mine Explodes 30th Aug 1915 Enemy Mine Explodes 4th Sep 1915 Preparations for Winter 5th Sep 1915 Reliefs   6th Sep 1915 Much Work Needed   7th Sep 1915 Under Fire   8th Sep 1915 Draft arrives   9th Sep 1915 Enemy Holding Mine Crater   10th Sep 1915 Under Fire   10th Sep 1915 Instruction   11th Sep 1915 12th Lancs Fusiliers under instruction   11th Sep 1915 Exchange of Fire   11th Sep 1915 Instruction   12th Sep 1915 Mine Detonated   12th Sep 1915 Instruction   13th Sep 1915 Enemy Snipers Approach   13th Sep 1915 Mines Explode   14th Sep 1915 Artillery Support   14th Sep 1915 Instruction   15th Sep 1915 Snipers & Artillery less Active   15th Sep 1915 Instruction   16th Sep 1915 Reliefs   16th Sep 1915 Reliefs   16th of September 1915 Reliefs   16th September 1915 Mud   17th Sep 1915 On the March 18th Sep 1915 10th Essex on the March 20th Sep 1915 10th Essex in Billets 21st Sep 1915 Inspection 25th Sep 1915 In Reserve 26th Sep 1915 Reliefs   27th Sep 1915 In Trenches   28th Sep 1915 On Patrol   29th Sep 1915 Trenches Under Shellfire   30th Sep 1915 In Trenches   1st Oct 1915 10th Essex in Trenches   7th Oct 1915 Reliefs   8th Oct 1915 10th Essex in Reserve 9th Oct 1915 In Reserve 10th Oct 1915 10th Essex in Reserve 11th Oct 1915 In Reserve 12th Oct 1915 In Reserve 13th Oct 1915 Working Parties & bathing 14th Oct 1915 Working Parties 15th Oct 1915 Reliefs   16th Oct 1915 Mine Exploded   17th Oct 1915 Working Parties   18th Oct 1915 Shelling   19th Oct 1915 Mine Exploded   20th Oct 1915 Mine Exploded   21st Oct 1915 Exchange of Fire   22nd Oct 1915 Shelling   23rd Oct 1915 Reliefs   24th Oct 1915 Practice 25th Oct 1915 Inspection 26th Oct 1915 Baths 27th Oct 1915 Visit   28th Oct 1915 Baths 29th Oct 1915 Visit   30th Oct 1915 Training 31st Oct 1915 Poor Conditions   1st Nov 1915 Trench Work 2nd Nov 1915 Trench Work 22nd Nov 1915 Enemy Mine Explodes   29th Dec 1915 16th Northumberland Fusilers relived by 10th Essex  16th Northumberlands were relived in sector e2 by the 10th Essex and marched to Albert then on to Millencourt where they spent the night. Records of the 16th (service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers Captain C H Cooke MC, Newcastle upon Tyne 1923 15th Apr 1916 Reliefs   21st Apr 1916 Reliefs   19th May 1916 Training 1st Jul 1916 In Action   1st July 1916 Attack   2nd Jul 1916 In Action   3rd Jul 1916 In Action   4th Jul 1916 In Action   5th Jul 1916 Reliefs   8th Jul 1916 On the Move 14th Jul 1916 Into Support 19th Jul 1916 Hard Fighting 19th Jul 1916 In Action   20th Jul 1916 Counter Attack 20th Jul 1916 In Action   29th Jul 1916 On the Move 11th Aug 1917 Reliefs   6th Apr 1917 Better Weather 12th Mar 1918 Reliefs 19th Mar 1918 Enemy Aircraft   23rd Mar 1918   The 10th Battalion was fighting in direct contact with the 9th Cuirassiers (French Army) in Frières-Faillouël. People who were present said that because of the thick fog, smoke from the guns and mustard gas used by the germans, sun never rose for two days. The Britsh, French and Germans were fighting like mad in the forest. Major Tween commanding the 10th Battalion was badly wounded by machine gun fire and died after being taken to a near by hospital. (A few years ago the town decided to give to the road that goes through the forest the name "route du 9e cuirassiers et du 10e Essex" and we put a plaque outside of the townhall "En souvenir des hommes du 10e Essex qui se réunirent sur cette place avant de livrer combat". Every two years the town organises a commemoration of the event in front of a old keeper's cottage on the site of the battle. Then go to the British, French and German graveyards. Various documents on the subject are help in the town archives) If you can provide any additional information, please add it here. Want to know more about 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment? There are:5340 items tagged 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment 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 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment during the Great War 1914-1918. Aldridge Charles C.. Pte. (d.22nd Nov 1915) Bignell William. Pte. (d.8th Oct 1917) Blanshard Albert. Pte. (d.23rd August 1918) Brasted Alfred John. Pte. (d.23rd Oct 1916) Brock Earnest James. Pte. Bullock William James. L/Cpl. (d.30th March 1918) Bulwer Frederick William. Pte. (d.20th July 1916) Carr Thomas. Pte (d.21st September 1918) Daly John Francis. Cpl. (d.20th July 1916) Duffield William. L/Cpl. (d.29th Sept 1915) Flatt George Henry . L/Cpl. (d.23rd August 1918) Frost Joseph. L/Cpl. (d.1st July 1916) Gant William. Pte. Hawkins Joshua. (d.30th May 1918) Johnson Edgar Reginald. Pte. Kirton Wainer. L/Cpl. (d.22nd Oct 1916) Mears MC. Albert John. Pte. (d.26th Apr 1918) Page Joshua Joseph. Pte. (d.20th July 1916) Powers Henry William. Pte. (d.10th Mar 1917) Prescott George Edward. Pte. (d.21st October 1916) Salmon MM Percy Claud. L/Sgt. Sheppard Reginald James. L/Cpl (d.20th July 1916) Sparshott William. Pte. (d.8th August 1918) Staddon Ernest George. Pte. Stanley Albert Charles. Pte. (d.8th August 1918) Wearne VC. Frank Bernard. 2nd Lt. (d.28th June 1917) Westley George William. Williams Charles Alfred William. Pte. (d.20th July 1916) 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 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment from other sources. The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website. 1st of September 2023 marks 24 years since the launch of the Wartime Memories Project. 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If you have a general question please post it on our Facebook page. World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great battalion regiment artillery Did you know? We also have a section on World War Two. and a Timecapsule to preserve stories from other conflicts for future generations.   Pte. Frederick William Bulwer 10th Battalion Essex Regiment (d.20th July 1916) Fred Bulwer was my great uncle and my grandfather's only brother. Fred was killed in Deville Wood aged 21. From an early age I was fascinated by a letter (attached)sent from a chap called George Holland that he sent to Fred's Mother in November 1916. Fred was born in Islington in 1884, married in October 1914 to May Scott and his son Colin was born in 1916. Michael Levett Add to this record.   2nd Lt. Frank Bernard Wearne VC. 3rd Btn. Essex Regiment (d.28th June 1917) Frank Wearne served with the 3rd Bn. attached 10th Bn. Essex Regiment. He died of wounds on the 28th of June 1917, aged 23 and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial in France. An extract from The London Gazette dated 31st July, 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery when in command of a small party on the left of a raid on the enemy's trenches. He gained his objective in the face of much opposition and by his magnificent example and daring was able to maintain this position for a considerable time, according to instructions. During this period 2nd Lt. Wearne and his small party were repeatedly counter-attacked. Grasping the fact that if the left flank was lost his men would have to give way, 2nd Lt. Wearne, at a moment when the enemy's attack was being heavily pressed and when matters were most critical, leapt on the parapet and, followed by his left section, ran along the top of the trench, firing and throwing bombs. This unexpected and daring manoeuvre threw the enemy off his guard and back in disorder. Whilst on the top of the trench 2nd Lt. Wearne was severely wounded, but refused to leave his men. Afterwards he remained in the trench directing operations, consolidating his position and encouraging all ranks. Just before the order to withdraw was given, this gallant officer was again severely hit for the second time, and while being carried away was mortally wounded. By his tenacity in remaining at his post though severely wounded, and his magnificent fighting spirit, he was enabled to hold on to the flank." s flynn Add to this record.   Pte. Charles C. Aldridge D Company, 10th Battalion Essex Regiment (d.22nd Nov 1915) Charles Aldridge was killed along with seven other comrades from the Battalion when at the Glory Hole in La Boiselle a German mine exploded covering their dugout and associated trench with debris. They remain interred other than two who were recovered in 2013 and reburied at Albert Communal Cemetery Extension in October 2016. Others killed at the same time were: 13333 Lance Corporal Albert Huzzey 10352 Private F Fensome also known as Harry Fensome 13517 Private George Pier 13350 Private Charles Ruggles 13392 Private Harry Carter buried at Albert 13370 Private William Marmon buried at Albert 13263 Private Edward Toomey Brian Turner Add to this record.   Pte. Alfred John Brasted 10th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.23rd Oct 1916) John Brasted served with the 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment in WW1. He died 23rd of October 1916 Ray Brasted Add to this record.    Joshua Hawkins 10th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.30th May 1918) Joshua Hawkins was my great uncle. Before the war he worked as a chef in one of the Cambridge colleges. He was called up in 1916 or 1917 and joined the 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment. He served in France and was taken prisoner. He died of dysentery as a POW, aged 42, on 30th of May 1918 and is buried south east of Ham in the Annois Communal Cemetery, Aisne. David Starr Add to this record.   Pte. William Gant 10th Btn. Essex Regiment William Gant served in 8th cyclist Battalion, Essex Regiment from August 1915. He was posted to 10th Essex in about 1916 and was gassed on the 18th of April 1918 at Hangard Wood. He was in B M Hospital at Lille, December 1918 and pensioned from 1919. He died of effects of gas at Ipswich Hospital, Suffolk on 28th of December 1921 He received the British War and Victory Medal and left his family of a wife and 4 children. Peter Gant Add to this record.   Pte. Albert John Mears MC. 10th Battalion Essex Regiment (d.26th Apr 1918) Sadly very little is known of Albert Mears, other than he was a single man born 1895. He won the Military Cross, for what deed we know not. He left behind a mother, father and four brothers. It is just our wish he be remembered. Albert F Gillham Add to this record.   L/Cpl. George Henry Flatt 10th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.23rd August 1918) George Flatt served with 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment. Chris Mooney Add to this record.   Pte. William Sparshott 10th Battalion Essex Regiment (d.8th August 1918) William Sparshott was my uncle and my mother’s younger brother. Documentation records that he was killed in action on 8th of August 1918. The 10th Battalion is recorded as going into action at 0420hrs at Gressaire Wood, being met by a massive German artillery barrage. This was on the first day of the Battle of Amiens which heralded the last 100 days of WW1. He was just 19 years of age and deeply mourned by my mother. He is buried in the CWGC Beacon Cemetery, Sailly Laurette, 19 kilometres East of Amiens. So many young lives sacrificed, We will remember them. Brian Sharples Add to this record.   Pte. Albert Charles Stanley 10th Battalion Essex Regiment (d.8th August 1918) Albert Stanley lied about his age, he was 16 when he joined up in 1915. Sadly he died 3 months before the Armistice. Brian Stanley Add to this record.   Pte. Edgar Reginald Johnson 10th Battalion Essex Regiment Edgar Johnson served with the Royal Air Force and 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment Shelagh Tinning Add to this record.   Pte. Ernest George Staddon 10th Btn. Essex Regiment Ernest Staddon was a milk man in Highgate, before joining up. He took part in operations in France including around the Ancre. He was captured by the Germans near Miraumont on 8th of March 1917 and became a POW at Giessen & Minden. He had been shot in the lower leg, in fact it seems the ankle was broken and set but had to be subsequently reset on later arrival back in UK. He was returned to England via Holland and admitted to the King George Hospital, Waterloo, London on 20th of January 1918. On 13th February 1918 he wrote from there to the Essex Regiment Prisoner of War fund to thank them for the parcels sent to him from Saffron Walden. Later he took over a tobacconist & confectioner shop in Horney that he ran with his wife until death from cancer on 24 Jul 1959. Like many, he never talked about his time in France to his grandchildren and was scarred physically and mentally. Add to this record.   Pte. George Edward Prescott 10th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.21st October 1916) George Prescott, son of Charles and Mary Prescott, South Willingham, Lincoln, enlisted at Lincoln with the Lincolnshire Regiment and then served with the 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment. He was killed in action on 21st of October 1916 aged 20 years. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Information courtesy of http://www.roll-of-honour.com Caroline Hunt Add to this record.   Pte. Albert Blanshard 10th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.23rd August 1918) Albert Blanshard, son of Mr J.W. and Mrs F.E. Blanshard of Stainfield, Wragby, Lincoln, initially enlisted in Lincoln with the Sherwood Foresters, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment and then served with the 10th Battalion Essex Regiment. He was killed in action on 23rd of August 1918 and is buried at Becourt Military Cemetery, Becordel-Becourt, Somme, France. Information courtesy of http://www.roll-of-honour.com Caroline Hunt Add to this record.   L/Cpl. Wainer Kirton 10th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.22nd Oct 1916) Wainer Kirton and his brother Charles enlisted in the 2/4th Lincolns together in October 1914. Charles stayed in the Lincolns but Wainer transferred to the 10th Essex Regiment. Charles survived the war but sadly Wainer did not and died on 22nd of October 1916. His name has been passed down first to Donald Wainer the son of Charles and then to to his son Paul Wainer. Also, Paul's elder brother Michael gave the names of Charles and Wainer to his son. So Wainer is always remembered within the family. Add to this record.   Pte. Henry William Powers 10th Battalion Essex Regiment (d.10th Mar 1917) Henry Powers was my 1st cousin 2 times removed. He was born in London but married in Snailwell, Cambridgeshire to a local girl. There is a grave registered in his name at Adanac Cemetery in Picardie, but no age known. We think he worked with horses before the war, but do not know anything else. Joan Finegan Add to this record.   L/Cpl Reginald James Sheppard 10th Btn. Essex Regiment (d.20th July 1916) Reginald Sheppard was killed in action aged 21 years at Delville Wood. He enrolled at Stratford E18. D.Drury Add to this record.   Pte. Charles Alfred William Williams 10 Battalion Essex Regiment (d.20th July 1916) Charles Williams was reported missing, presumed dead whilst serving with the BEF in France. He is known to have died in Delville Wood on the Somme. He has no known grave, his name is on the Thiepval Memorial near Albert in France. Hazel Vickery Add to this record. Recomended Reading. Available at discounted prices.

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