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12th (Bristol) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment
The 12th (Bristol) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment was raised at Bristol on the 30th of August 1914 by the Citizens Recruiting Committee.
After training cloe to home, in June 1915 they joined 95th Brigade, 32nd Division at Wensleydale, being officially adopted by the War Office on the 23rd of June. They moved to Codford on Salisbury Plain for final training in August 1915 and proceeded to France on the 21st of November 1915. On the 26th of December 1915 they transferred with 95th Brigade to 5th Division as part of an exchange designed to stiffen the inexperienced 32nd Division with regular army troops. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 12th Gloucesters were disbanded in France in the 19th of October 1918.
17th April 1915 5th Division Attack 
2nd of December 1915 Units Arrive
20th of December 1915 Deserter Taken
28th of December 1915 Retaliatory Firing
1st of January 1916 Night-time Shelling
2nd of January 1916 Direct Hits
13th of January 1916 5th Division in Reserve
10th of February 1916 MG Coys Join
4th of March 1916 Snow All Day
10th of March 1916 Unit Positions
21st March 1916 Battalion Orders
21st March 1916 Reliefs
26th of March 1916 Rain and Sleet
28th of March 1916 A Combined Shoot
28th March 1916 Poor Conditions
9th April 1916 In Support
13th of April 1916 Brigade Relief
16th of April 1916 DCLI CO Killed
13th of July 1916 Readiness to Move
20th of July 1916 Positions of Units
24th of July 1916 Reliefs
25th of July 1916 Enemy Advances
26th July 1916 Report on Operations 26th - 28th July 1916.
26th July 1916 Operation Order No.9.
26th July 1916 We had to go through a heavy barrage of Gas shells with the whole Battalion having to wear Gas Helmets.
29th of July 1916 Quiet Situation
31st July 1916 Owing to the very heavy poisoned gas-shell 2245 hours barrage in Valley North of Montauban the whole Battalion had to put on gas helmets.
5th of August 1916 Divisional Dispositions
27th of August 1916 Divisional Dispositions
30th of August 1916 Enemy Artillery Active
31st Aug 1916 Reliefs
31st of August 1916 Warning Order Issued
1st of September 1916 Enemy SOS
3rd Sep 1916 In Action
4th Sep 1916 In Action
4th of September 1916 Units Mixed Up
19th of September 1916 In the Front Line
21st of September 1916 Situation Normal
22nd of September 1916 Dispositions
23rd of September 1916 Reliefs
25th of September 1916 Instructions for Tanks
28th of September 1916 Heavy Showers
30th of September 1916 Dispositions
5th Oct 1916 Reliefs
13th of October 1916 Reliefs
31st of October 1916 Distribution
30th of November 1916 Enemy Baling Out
2nd of December 1916 Raiding Party Fails
4th of December 1916 German Trenches Damaged
5th Dec 1916 Reliefs
6th of December 1916 Working Parties Dispersed
10th of December 1916 Working Parties Dispersed
14th of December 1916 A Combined Shoot
20th of December 1916 German TMs Active
21st of December 1916 Ferme Cour d'Avoue Shelled
22nd of December 1916 Quiet Day
24th of December 1916 Germans Very Active
29th Dec 1916 Billets
29th of December 1916 Artillery Quieter
5th of January 1917 Aeroplanes Active
6th of January 1917 German Guns Quiet
9th of January 1917 Spotted Dog Shelled
13th of January 1917 Retaliation "Feeble"
17th of January 1917 Guns Active
20th of January 1917 Active Artillery
21st of January 1917 Our TMs Active
22nd January 1917 Relief Complete
26th of January 1917 TMs Busy
30th of January 1917 Hostile TMs Busy
1st of February 1917 Balloon Spotted
3rd of February 1917 Artillery Active
6th of February 1917 Fairly Quiet
7th of February 1917 Feeble Retaliation
9th of February 1917 Little TM Retaliation
12th of February 1917 Artillery Quiet
15th of February 1917 Enemy TMs Fall Short
17th of February 1917 TMs Quiet
19th of February 1917 Our Guns Active
21st of February 1917 Our Guns Active
28th of February 1917 Artillery Quiet
1st of March 1917 POWs Taken
4th of March 1917 Damage Caused by Heavies
6th of March 1917 Brigades Attached
8th of March 1917 Divisional Relief
9th of March 1917 TMs Very Active
11th of March 1917 Auchy Heavily Shelled
14th of March 1917 Pekin Trench Hit
15th of March 1917 Brigade Relief
15th March 1917 Ref. attached.
17th Mar 1917 Reliefs
18th Mar 1917 On the Move
20th of March 1917 Composite Division Formed
24th of March 1917 Pioneers On the Move
27th of March 1917 In Corps Reserve
2nd of April 1917 Positions
8th of April 1917 HQ Moves
11th of April 1917 Dispositions
12th of April 1917 Orders and Reliefs
13th of April 1917 A Push Forward
14th of April 1917 Orders to Move
18th of April 1917 Divisional Front Readjusted
20th of April 1917 Orders to Attack
21st of April 1917 Operations Postponed
22nd of April 1917 Warning Order Received
24th of April 1917 35 Minute Bombardment
25th of April 1917 Canadians Take Over Front
28th of April 1917 Rest and Training
2nd of May 1917 13th Inf Bde Moves
5th of May 1917 Wood Shelled
6th of May 1917 Enemy Guns Active
8th of May 1917 Orders to Attack
8th May 1917 Counter Attack
8th May 1917 Attack
8th May 1917 Attack
9th of May 1917 No Further Advance
10th of May 1917 Enemy Concentration Reported
11th of May 1917 Enemy Guns Active
12th of May 1917 Bailleul Shelled
13th of May 1917 Front Line Shelled
15th of May 1917 Very Quiet Day
17th of May 1917 A Surprise Attack
20th of May 1917 Guns Active
21st of May 1917 Quiet Night
22nd of May 1917 Quiet Day
24th of May 1917 Relief Completed
26th of May 1917 Quiet Day
31st May 1917 Work and Training
2nd of June 1917
9th of June 1917 A Relief
10th of June 1917 Minor Op Planned
14th of June 1917 Relief
15th of June 1917 Relief Completed
16th June 1917 Quiet Night
17th of June 1917 Quiet Day
18th of June 1917 Aircraft Active
19th of June 1917 Quiet Day
21st of June 1917 Brigade Relief Completed
26th of June 1917 Quiet Day
28th of June 1917 Successful Operation
30th Jun 1917 Orders
1st of July 1917 Front Line Adjusted
5th of July 1917 Our Trenches Damaged
6th of July 1917 A Brigade Relief
10th of July 1917 A Raid Ordered
12th of July 1917 Back Areas Shelled
17th of July 1917 Quiet Time
18th of July 1917 Direct Hits Made
19th of July 1917 Situation Quiet
21st of July 1917 Back Areas Shelled
23rd of July 1917 Minenwerfer Active
26th of July 1917 Very Quiet
27th of July 1917 Gas Attack
28th Jul 1917 Relief Completed
29th of July 1917 Brigade Relief
1st of August 1917 MG Activity
3rd of August 1917 Snipers Active
4th of August 1917 Hostile Shelling
7th of August 1917 A German Raid
10th of August 1917 Mostly Quiet
13th of August 1917 Two Minute Barrage
16th of August 1917 MGs Active
19th of August 1917 Gas Drums Plan
22nd of August 1917 Railway Shelled
25th of August 1917 TMs Hit Oppy Wood
27th of August 1917 Quiet Time
31st August 1917 Quiet Time
3rd of September 1917 Quiet
5th of September 1917 Brigades on the March
6th of September 1917 Gas Shelling
7th of September 1917 Training
9th of October 1917 Hostile Guns Active
10th of September 1917 Division to Move
11th of September 1917 Artillery Marches
3rd of October 1917 More Heavy Shelling
4th of October 1917 Attack Launched
5th of October 1917 Quieter Night
10th of October 1917 "Intense Barrage" Endured
11th of October 1917 Snipers Active
14th of October 1917 Training
17th of October 1917 Training
21st of October 1917 Offensive to be Resumed
28th of October 1917 Enemy Guns "Above Normal"
4th of November 1917 Heavy shelling
6th of November 1917 Attack Launched
8th of November 1917 Fairly Quiet
11th of November 1917 Quiet Time
14th of November 1917 95th Brigade Entrain
18th of November 1917 121st Battery Moves
19th of November 1917 Pioneers Move
26th of November 1917 HQ Closes and Re-opens
27th of November 1917 Entraining for Italy
28th of November 1917 Entraining for Italy
9th of April 1918 Orders
10th of April 1918 Relief Postponed
13th of April 1918 Enemy Attacks
15th of April 1918 Another Enemy Attack
16th of April 1918 Situation Quiet
18th of April 1918 Artillery Active
19th of April 1918 A Raiding Party
22nd of April 1918 A Gas Attack
23rd of April 1918 Constant Shelling
25th of April 1918 Division Attacks
28th of April 1918 Artillery Quieter
30th of April 1918 Artillery Very Active
3rd of May 1918 Enemy Artillery Active
4th of May 1918 Situation Quiet
10th of May 1918 Gas Shells Used
15th of May 1918 Our Heavies Busy
17th of May 1918 Active Artillery
22nd of May 1918 Enemy Active
23rd of May 1918 Quiet Night
30th of May 1918 A Relief
5th of June 1918 Brigade Relief
13th of June 1918 Brigade Relief Completed
15th of June 1918 Operation Proposed
20th of June 1918 Situation Unchanged
22nd of June 1918 Slight Activity
25th of June 1918 WO95/1510/4
28th of June 1918 Successful Attack
29th of June 1918 Enemy Guns Active
1st of July 1918 Situation Unchanged
7th of July 1918 Gas Shelling
12th of July 1918 Back Areas Bombed
18th of July 1918 Our Guns Active
24th of July 1918 Relief Completed
28th of July 1918 Quiet
31st of July 1918 Relief Completed
9th of August 1918 Training
10th of August 1918 Training
13th of August 1918 Entraining Commenced
15th of August 1918 Training
17th of August 1918 Training
21st Aug 1918 Gloucesters Advance
21st of August 1918 Division Advances
23rd of August 1918 Division Attacks
24th of August 1918 5th Division Co-operates
25th of August 1918 Brigades Move
26th of August 1918 Enemy Retreats
27th of August 1918 Quiet
28th of August 1918 Situation Unchanged
30th of August 1918 Advance Continues
31st of August 1918 Counter-Attack
1st of September 1918 Attack Sucessful
2nd of September 1918 Strongly Defended
3rd of September 1918 Enemy Withdraws
4th of September 1918 Divisional Relief
5th of September 1918 Rest and Training
17th of September 1918 Back Areas Bombed
18th of September 1918 Attack Commences
19th of September 1918 Enemy Guns Quiet
20th of September 1918 Quiet Time
22nd of September 1918 Field Guns Active
30th of September 1918 Divisional Relief
1st of October 1918 Division Relieved
8th of October 1918 New Area
If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.
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These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.
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Those known to have served with12th (Bristol) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment during the Great War 1914-1918. - Bardrick John Alexander. Pte.
- Bateman Wilfred Joseph. Pte.
- Bennison Charles Joseph Henry. Pte. (d.3rd Sep 1916)
- Bryant Richard. Pte. (d.3rd Sep 1916)
- Clark Walter Mark. Pte. (d.23rd Aug 1918)
- Coates Ernest. Pte. (d.5th Oct 1917)
- Cornock G. Pte.
- Cowburn George Richmond. Pte.
- Curtis Frederick James. Pte. (d.3rd September 1916)
- Davis Albert Victor. L/Cpl. (d.22 April 1917)
- Day Jack. Pte, (d.3rd November 1916)
- Dobson John. Cpl. (d.8th May 1917)
- Earle William Herbert. Cpl. (d.8th May 1917)
- Field Frederick Stanley. Pte. (d.3rd Sep 1916)
- Foster Oswald. Pte. (d.10th Oct 1917)
- Foster Oswald. Pte. (d.10th October 1917)
- Foxhall Reginald. Pte. (d.28th June 1918)
- Franklin Sidney Charles. Pte. (d.29th March 1918)
- Howland Ernest Albert . Pte.
- Joiner Charles Henry. Pte. (d.14th Apr 1917)
- Kendrick Frank. Pte. (d.5th June 1918)
- Powell Henry Joseph. Pte. (d.8th May 1917)
- Simmons Joseph D.. Pte. (d.5th October 1917)
- Skinner Joseph Porteous. Pte. (d.1st Aug 1916)
- Stokes Ernest. Pte. (d.6th September 1916)
- Sweeting George Reginald. Pte. (d.11th December 1917)
- Tame William Charles. L/Cpl. (d.29th Jul 1917)
- Twiggs Wilfred Sidney. Pte. (d.3rd Sep 1916 )
- Weeks Frederick George . Pte. (d.20th Jul 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 12th (Bristol) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment from other sources.
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Pte. Ernest Coates 12th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.5th Oct 1917) Ernest Coates joined the South Lancs Regiment enlisting in Preston around 1915. We think he was injured in France and returned to the UK for convalescence and recovery and then returned to active duty but was transferred to the 12 Gloucestershire Battalion sometime between December 1916 and Feb 1917. He was killed in the Battle of Broodseinde on the 5 Oct 1917 aged 21.
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Pte. Henry Joseph Powell 12th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.8th May 1917) Henry Powell was killed in action on the 8th of May 1917, aged 19. Buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France, he was the son of Mrs. T. E. Powell, of 29 Weston St., Barton Hill, Bristol.
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Pte. Ernest Albert Howland 12th (Bristol) Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment Ernest Howland was in the 12th (Bristol) Battalion. He was born in 1885
and served between 23rd of September 1914 and 22nd of February 1919 when he was discharged due to being wounded in his legs
He was awarded a 15 Star trio and Silver War Badge b182068
Before the war he served as a cleaner on Great Western Railway, Bristol division. His next of kin was Clara Howland. They had married in 1908
He passed away in 1937.
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Pte. Sidney Charles Franklin 12th (Bristol) Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.29th March 1918) Sidney Franklin signed up when he was under age. His elder brother William Henry Franklin had already signed up. Sidney's father wrote to the War Office as Sidney was under age and eventually he came back after serving for over a year.
When he was old enough he went straight back in the Army and had another number 302639 as his service number. Sadly, he died of his wounds on 29th of March 1918 aged 19. His brother William Henry also died on 20th of July 1918 and was killed in action aged 24 years.
Their parents were my grandfather's brother and sister-in-law. They lived in 16 Paultrow Road, off St. Johns Lane, Bedminster, Bristol. Sadly, their father was killed in a road accident in Bedminster after the war.
My grandfather told me his elder brother never got over the death of his two sons and it was felt he had deliberately walked out in front of a bus. Thomas H and Eva S Franklin lost two sons to the war. Both boys were in action around Arras at some time in their army life during the war.
I regularly visit Arras as I am friends with the deputy prefect and his wife and children. I regularly go to the cemetery in Doullens where Sidney Charles Franklin is buried and leave a poppy. It is a small area in the Doullen cemetery that is used for burying local people there too. I find it a rather bleak and sad place, but I will visit as often as I can as I know my grandfather felt very sad about his two nephews who died in the First World War.
Sidney's oldest brother, William Henry Franklin, was with the Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) during WW1 when he died. He had enlisted in Bristol & was formerly in the Somerset Light Infantry. He did his duty in both France and Flanders and is remembered at Tyne Cot Memorial.
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Pte. Charles Henry Joiner 12th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.14th Apr 1917) Charles Joiner was killed at the battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917. Aged 45yrs
In his civilian life he was married with seven children and was a coal miner in the Forest of Dean.
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Pte. Frederick James Curtis 12th (Bristol) Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment (d.3rd September 1916)  Frederick James Curtis British Army 12th (Bristol) Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment This is an extract from a local newspaper at the time, Western Daily Press 27th September 1916.
Private F.J. Curtis
Official information has been received of the death in action on Sunday, September 3, of Pte. F. J. Curtis, Gloucester Regiment, in his 19th year, younger son of Mr and Mrs J. T. Curtis, Down House Gardens, Stoke Bishop. Deceased enlisted in July, 1915, proceeding to France on Christmas Eve. Prior to joining the Army he was on the staff of the Co-operative Wholesale Society, Broad Quay. He was deeply interested in Sunday School work in connection with the Westbury Park Wesleyan Church, of which he was a member. In writing home recently he said he had a wonderful confidence that his work was not done, and that he would come through the campaign all right, remarking, "I still have that trust in God which has been with me ever since I have been out here that, whatever happens will be for the best possible end."
The same article appeared in the Bath Observer on 7th October 1916.
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Pte, Jack Day 12th (Bristol) Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.3rd November 1916) Jack Day was the eldest of seven children, born in 1885 to John and Emma Day of Cheddar, Somerset.
His parents took on the running of the Gardeners Arms Inn (from John's father Charles), and the family can be found in the census records of 1901 and 1911 at this location. Family researchers might note that he is called John in the 1911 census. Jack assisted his father with market gardening and running the inn.
In the early 1900's Jack lost three of his sisters to illness, Gladys aged 6 in 1901, Fanny aged 14 in 1905 and then Lorna (or Iona) aged 22, in 1912.
When the war began, Jack joined the 12th (Bristol) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment and eventually went to France. He was killed on 3rd of September 1916, now leaving just three living siblings and his parents.
Jack was 31 years old and a single man. His name is on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing. He is also listed on the War Memorial in Cheddar, Somerset. His war medals still survive, with a relative, but unfortunately no known photos.
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Pte. George Reginald Sweeting 12th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.11th December 1917) Private Sweeting was the Son of George Elia and Alice Sweeting, of 10, Carrington Rd., Ashton Gate, Bristol. Old Boy of St. Nicholas and St. Leonard's School, Bristol.
He was 20 when he died and is buried in the Montagnana Town Cemetery in Italy.
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Pte. Oswald Foster 12th (Bristol) Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.10th Oct 1917) Oswald Foster was the only son of Elizabeth & Oswell Foster of Barton-on-Humber. His father was a sailor.
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Pte. John Alexander Bardrick 29th Brigade Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps Alec Bardrick served in the 29th Brigade, Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps as a Private. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant and transferred to 12th Gloucestershire Regiment. Then transferred to the Machine Gun Corps. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
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Pte. Ernest Stokes 12th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.6th September 1916) Ernie Stokes died of his wounds on 6th September 1916 age 24, and is buried in Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport.
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Pte. Charles Joseph Henry Bennison 12th (Bristol's Own) Battalion, B Coy. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916) Charles Bennison was born in 2 Clare Cottage, Kew Place, Cheltenham in 1891 to Benjamin and Alice Sarah A. Bennison (nee Lewis). From 1901 to 1911 the family was living at Lewis Villa, Teewell Hill, Staple Hill. By 1911 Charles was working as a store manager in a motor works.
He enlisted in Bristol and served as Private 14242 in B Company, 12th (Bristol's Own) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment and left for France on 21st. November 1915 and was killed in action on Sunday 3rd of September 1916 during the latter stages of the First Battle of The Somme when aged 25 years. He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.
Charles's father Benjamin was sent his son's personal effects - £2.4s.10d. - on 20th March 1917 with a War Gratuity of £9.0s.0d following on 10th November 1919. He was posthumously awarded the 1914-15 Star, the Victory medal and the British War medal
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Pte. Frank Kendrick 12th Btn., A Coy. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.5th June 1918) Frank Kendrick served with the 12th Battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment in WW1. We do not know very much about him but he was my Great, Great Grandfather. We have found out that his special skill was tunnels and trenches. He was killed in action in France on 5th June 1918 and is buried in Thiennes British Cemetery.
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Pte. G Cornock 12th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment My friend gave me a box of things he wasn't interested in keeping and in there were his family's decorations. I asked if he wanted them back and he said no, so I'm looking into finding anything I can and will give it all back whether he wants it or not.
I do believe that G Cornock had a brother who is Cpl. A. Cornock who was a boxer and runner-up for the middle-weight Burma Divisional Tournament 1913.
I have already found more information about his uncle who was on the HMCS Hood.
If you are able to help with anything on G. Cornock or A. Cornock I would be very grateful.
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Pte. Reginald Foxhall 12th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.28th June 1918) Reginald Foxhall was from Crofts Street in Cardiff and was employed by the Great Western Railway goods department. He originally enlisted in 1917, joining the Monmouthshire Regiment. At some stage he was drafted into the 12th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, serving with them in Italy and France before being killed in June 1918. His name is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the missing in Belgium.
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Cpl. William Herbert Earle 12th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.8th May 1917) William Herbert Earle was my great-uncle on my father's side. He was only 22 when he was shot in Arras, France. I decided to look into his service records which I have achieved to bring him closer to our lives.
When growing up my father had a very hard time talking about the story of how he died. All we knew was he joined the Gloucestershire Regiment then he was shot (not long after he enlisted) on the 8th of May 1917.
I was given a gold locket from my grandmother with his photo encased in it and now I have some documentation to go with it.
I also found his Arras memorial obituary, and although it's not a lot I now have a story to put with his photo. After WW2 my parents moved to Canada where I was born and war stories were kept limited - gone long ago but never forgotten
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Pte. Joseph Porteous Skinner 12th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment (d.1st Aug 1916) Joseph Skinner died of wounds on 1st of August 1916 and is buried at Heilly Station Military Cemetery, Mericourt l'Abbe.
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L/Cpl. Albert Victor Davis 12th Btn. Gloucestershire Reg (d.22 April 1917) Albert Davis´s parents were Thomas and Emily of no.2 The Crossings, Tytherington, Glos. His father worked at Tytherington quarry as an engine driver. Albert was one of nine children, four boys and five girls. Before joining the war effort Albert was quarryman at the local quarry and had been a member, as had a younger brother, of the Tytherington Junior Band. (pictured in a photo of the band in 1913). He was aged 17 when he enlisted, with his two older brothers, in 1915 at Bristol. His brothers survived the war. Albert's death appeared a newspaper casualties list, six weeks after he was killed. He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.
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Pte. Frederick Stanley Field 12th (Bristol) Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916) Frederick Stanley Field was born in 1886 in Sharpness Gloucestershire, son of Frederick Griffiths and Clara Mary (nee Camm.) He worked as a Seaman. He is buried in Guillemont Road Cemetery, Guillemont, France.
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Pte. Wilfred Joseph Bateman 12th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment Wilfred Joseph Bateman joined up in 1916. At 5ft 2" he wasn't the biggest recruit. His father owned the Blue Bowl in Hanham.
He moved to the front in December 1916 seeing action east of Bethune in places like Cuinchy, Auburs and Richeborg; essentially La Bassee front. This was an area of heavy fighting, particularly the brickstacks around Cuinchy. The regimental diary talks of a daring trench raid in this area which took two prisoners.
Sadly, or fortunately, his war would end at the end of March 1917. The unit was in Burbure away from the front training on the 29th. Wilfred's hand was blown off during grenade practice. He was brought back to England from Le Havre on the hospital ship Panama where he recovered. He spent some time in Queen Mary's Auxiliary Hospital in Roehampton, where skin grafts developed, presumably to have his hand treated.
He married in October 1917.
The family story was always that he had lost his hand shielding a young Australian boy from a grenade blast. My Nan, his daughter, said the boy's father, a vicar, always wrote each Christmas, to thank him for his heroism. However, there is no recorded account of this and the regimental diary only talks of a training accident and a premature explosion. We will never know. Great Grampy Bateman lived to the age of 90, dying in 1977. He could open a bottle of beer with one hand late in his life!
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