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- 8th Battalion, Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment during the Great War -


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

8th Battalion, Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment



   8th (Service) Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment was raised at Lancaster in October 1914 as part of Kitcheners's Third New Army and joined 76th Brigade, 25th Division which assembled in the area around Salisbury. They proceeded to to France on the 27th of September 1915 and concentrated in the area of Nieppe. On the 15th of October 1915 the 8th Kings Own, transferred with 76th Brigade to 3rd Division. 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.

13th Mar 1916 Gordons Relieve Kings Own

14th May 1917 Report  location map

12th June 1917 The Battalion was relieved tonight by 8th K.O.R.L.

31st of January 1918 Training  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

29th Aug 1918 Message  location map

6th October 1918 0600 hours Brigade H.Q. informed that posts had been pushed forward and that companies were organised in depth.

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





Want to know more about 8th Battalion, Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment?


There are:5244 items tagged 8th Battalion, Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) 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

8th Battalion, Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment

during the Great War 1914-1918.

  • Bibby Samuel. Pte. (d.13th Nov 1916)
  • Booth James. Pte. (d.26th Sep 1917)
  • Boston Hubert Frederick. Pte. (d.24th July 1916)
  • Brannick Richard. Pte. (d.13th Oct 1915)
  • Brown Luke. Pte. (d.3rd April 1916)
  • Cryer James. Pte. (d.27th September 1918)
  • Daly John Joseph. Pte. (d.23rd Oct 1918 )
  • Dutfield George Henry. Pte. (d.13th Apr 1918)
  • Foulds Walter. L/Cpl. (d.28th Sept 1918)
  • Gardner Matthew. Pte (d.9th April 1917)
  • Grinham DCM. James Edward. Sjt.
  • Hall Edward. Pte. (d.15th Aug 1916)
  • Higham Jesse. Pte. (d.16th Feb 1917)
  • Holme A.. Pte. (d.24th Aug 1918)
  • Huggon MM Thomas Fredrick. Cpl. (d.25 Mar 1918)
  • Jones Arthur Ernest. Pte. (d.2nd Mar 1916)
  • Law James Albert. Pte. (d.12th May 1917)
  • Lees Clifford Granville. L/Cpl. (d.8th Oct 1918)
  • Neely VC MM. Thomas. L/Sgt. (d.1st Oct 1918)
  • Roberts Edward. Pte. (d.27th Sep 1918)
  • Sighe Edward. Pte. (d.10th March 1917)
  • Skipper Thomas George. Pte. (d.26th Sep 1917)
  • Sumner William. L/Cpl. (d.17th April 1917)
  • Whalley Cuthbert. Pte. (d.12th 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 8th Battalion, Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment from other sources.


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  Pte. Jesse Higham 8th Btn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) (d.16th Feb 1917)

Jesse Higham died on the 16th of February 1917, aged 19 and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Higham, of 11, Altham St., Padiham, nr. Burnley, Lancs. Native of Padiham.

s flynn






  Pte. George Henry Dutfield 8th Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) (d.13th Apr 1918)

George Dutfield

George Dutfield served with the 8th Battalion, King's Own.

Rosa Filor






  Pte. John Joseph Daly 8th Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.23rd Oct 1918 )

John Daly served with the 8th Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment in WW1. He died of wounds 23rd of October 1918 aged 19 years and is buried Awoingt British Cemetery in France. Son of John and Mary Daly of 3 Shaw St., Seacombe, Cheshire.

P Swarze






  Pte. James Cryer 8th Battalion King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.27th September 1918)

I am at the moment researching the family history as a present for my father`s 90th birthday, his father, my grandfather (Fred Cryer) had a brother (James Cryer). I have been unable to find records for my grandfather although his story of the war is that he was captured on the same day in the same battle in which his brother James was killed on the 27th September 1918 in Flanders. I have located the cemetery in which he was laid to rest (The Lowrie Cemetery) Havrincourt. That is all I know I`m afraid, if you could provide some information about the circumstances of the battle I would be pleased to pass this on to my dad. Many Thanks.

John Cryer






  Pte. Cuthbert Whalley 8th Btn. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regt (d.12th May 1917)

Cuthbert Whalley lost his life serving with the 8th Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment

You have no known grave and are commemorated on the Arras Memorial. There is a marble plaque on the baptistery wall at St Michaels Church Rampside marking your life and death.

Tonight I came across a picture of you, the first time I have seen your face, such a strong face for your 20 years. Although you left long before I arrived I am so so very proud of you my very great uncle.

Before the war you worked in Vickers in Barrow as a cost clerk and left at 17 to enlist. I have tried for many years, since I learnt of your life, to understand what that war was like for you but I have discovered that even after being wounded 3 times and having the chance to see out the war as a Sergeant Instructor you refused, determined to return to the trenches. You were killed 2 days later. You refused promotion to stay with your Lewis gun team. You were a brave and intrepid soldier, cheerful even in the face of danger and you faced danger many times, always among the first to volunteer. The first to reach the parapet in front of the German trenches, you were hit by shrapnel as you mounted shouting "Come on the Lions" refusing help you started back to the British lines when you came across a comrade from Millom who was badly wounded and lying exposed. You tended him and then carried him back to British lines. Unfortunately he died from his wounds.

You fought at Flanders, the Somme, Ancre, being in at the taking of Trones Wood, Guillemont, Delville Wood and Thiepval.

You make me cry with pride and when I say I will never forget, I won't, your valour haunts me, how I wish I could have been half as brave in my lifetime as you were in your short 20 years.

You earned the Victory Medal

Linda Ross-Bain






  Pte. Hubert Frederick Boston 8th Btn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.24th July 1916)

My great grandfather Hubert Boston was invalidated out of the Royal Navy, whilst serving in HMS Pembroke.

He joined the King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment and went to France in 1915 with the 8th Battalion. He served in Flanders and the Somme. He died on 24th July 1916. His remains haven't been found, so he's commemorated on Thiepval memorial. A small group of his comrades who died on the same day are buried at Flatiron Cemetery, which was a field hospital receiving casualties from the Longueval area of operations.

Stephen Bridge






  Pte. Thomas George Skipper 8th Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.26th Sep 1917)

His service history is missing but we know that Thomas Skipper was killed during the 3rd Battle of Ypres on 26th of September 1917 and is recorded on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

He was born on 21st September 1897, the second of nine children of Thomas Skipper and Alice Marian Skipper nee Rudd. On the 1911 census, he was listed as a farm labourer, living in Elsing Road, Lyng, Norfolk.

Tom Davis






  Pte. James Albert Law 8th Btn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) (d.12th May 1917)

James Law was the elder brother of my paternal grandmother, Dorothy Law. In his earlier life he made several trips to Brazil along with his parents and sister as the family had an interest in a cotton mill there. He subsequently married Susannah and set up as a hairdresser. He was much loved and admired by my grandmother who subsequently named her only child (my father) after him.

Richard West






  Pte. Luke Brown 8th Battalion King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) (d.3rd April 1916)

Luke Brown was killed in action in the battle for St. Eloi Craters and his body never found.

<p>Gravestone at Larchwood Cemetery

<p>

<p>Battalion War diary for the night he was killed

Phil Brown






  Pte. Edward Sighe 1/5th Btn King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) (d.10th March 1917)

Edward Sighe enlisted in 1914 with the Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment 8th Bn then transferred to the 1/5 Bn. He left behind a son and daughter that he barely knew. He wasn't hit or wounded until 10th March 1917 when he was killed. Not sure where but the date was the same time as the occupation of Blakeley Crater he died of his wounds at age 33 he is buried at Poperinghe New Military Cemetery.

Justin






  L/Sgt. Thomas Neely VC MM. 8th Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.1st Oct 1918)

L/Sgt. Thomas Neely, VC MM

Lance Sergeant Thomas Neely served with the 8th Battalion Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment during WW1 and died on the 1st October 1918 aged 21. He is buried in the Masnieres British Cemetery in France. Thomas was the son of James H. and Agness Neely, of 91, Claudia St., City Rd., Walton, Liverpool.

An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 31067, dated 13th Dec., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery during operations at Flesquieres on 27th September, 1918. His company was held up during the advance by heavy machine-gun fire from a flank. Cpl. Neely, realising the seriousness of the situation, at once, under point-blank fire, dashed out with two men and rushed the positions, disposing of the garrisons and capturing three machine guns. Subsequently, on two successive occasions, he rushed concrete strong points, killing or capturing the occupants."

S Flynn






  Pte. James Booth 8th Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.26th Sep 1917)

James Booth served with the 8th Battalion, Kings Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) during WW1. He was killed in action 26th September 1917 and is buried in Perth Cemetery (China Wall) in Belgium.

There is a memorial to him in the Burnley Town Cemetery. The memorial stands on top of the family grave within Burnley Town Cemetery, the soldier is in full pack and standing in a relaxed pose with one foot slightly in front of the other, his rifle is in his right hand, the rifle has snapped in half over the passing years. The memorial is white in colour and very life like, although it is not known if it is actually based on James Booth himself.

The headstone has the names of his parents and the words - Also Private James Booth, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, Killed in action in France 26/09/1917. Ever remembered. Although the inscription states that he was killed in France, James Booth is buried near Ypres in Belgium.

S Flynn






  Pte. Edward Hall 8th Battalion Kings Own Royal Lancashire (d.15th Aug 1916)

Pte. Edward Hall who was my Great-Uncle served with the 8th Battalion of the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment during WW1 and was killed in action on 15th August 1915. We think it was at Talus Boise as the Regiment was attacked there on that day. His regimental number was 16584 so he would probably have volunteered in December 1914. He left a widow and two children. Before joining up he worked at the Bleach Works Chorley.

As his body was never found he is commemorated on the Thiepval Monument on the Somme. We visited there in 2012 and found his name on the Monument and also in the book of remembrance. I have since sent a photograph of Edward to be included in the Wall of photographs at the Thiepval Museum which commemorates the brave soldiers who lost their lives.

Janet Hetherington






  Pte. A. Holme 8th Btn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.24th Aug 1918)

Pte. A. Holme was executed for desertion 24/08/1918 and buried in Chocques Military Cemetery, Chocques, France.

S Flynn






  Pte. Samuel Bibby 8th Btn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment (d.13th Nov 1916)

Samuel Bibby was the son of Mrs. M. J. Bibby, of 26 Hardwicke St., Dublin. He served with the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment and was killed in action at the Somme in November 1916. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

s flynn






  Pte. Edward Roberts 8th Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regt. (d.27th Sep 1918)

Edward Grattan Roberts, Private 48843, enlisted at Barrow and served in the 8th Battalion Kings Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment). He died on the 27th September 1918 and is remembered at Vis-en-Artois Memorial. Pane 3. His medal card records the award of the War and Victory Medals.

Edward was born in Jarrow 1897, son of Elizabeth Ann Roberts nee Porter of 23 Argyll Place, Barrow and the late Edward Roberts. In the 1911 census Elizabeth Ann, born in Flintshire, (40) widow, is living at that address, and is a cleaner at a pulp works. Her son Edward Grattan Roberts (13) is a government telegraph messanger and her two daughters Mary Elizabeth,born in Jarrow, (12) and Gwendoline, born in Barrow in Furness, (6) are both attending school.

Vin Mullen






  Pte. Richard Brannick 8th Btn Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.13th Oct 1915)

I have been researching my family history for the last 3 years. During my research I found references to my Grandfather, his brother and their part in WW1. I visited Richard's grave and the Menin Gate in August 2010 which was a very emotional experience for me. I would like to pass on my Grandfather's story to you as follows:

My Grandfather Richard would have been 31 years of age when he joined up. I can only assume he wanted to do his bit for the country, at 31 he would have been one of the older members of the Regiment. He enlisted in October 1914 and after basic training he was shipped out to the Western Front landing on the 27th September 1915 full of excitement and trepidation about the adventure he was embarking on. He sent his wife Mary a standard field postcard on the 2nd of October 1915. On it were pre-printed comments such as, I am well, I have been admitted to hospital, etc. etc. He had crossed out all the pre-printed comments, but just left in the "I am well" comment. On the 13th October 1915 he was struck by a shell during heavy bombardment. He was killed instantly, just 17 days after arriving on the Western front. Captain E.W.S Bardsley, Richard's commanding officer, sent Mary a printed sympathy card advising her of Richard's death. He was buried at Ploegsteert Wood Military Cemetery. His brother 37816 Private James Brannick was also killed in action on the 10th August 1917. His name is inscribed on the Menin Gate. He was with the 11th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers.

Andrew Brannick






  Sjt. James Edward Grinham DCM. 8th Btn. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment

I was researching the family tree when I came across the records of a great uncle, my grandmothers brother, unfortunately my grandmother died in the 1980s and the great uncle died in 1932. All I have is the research I have done so far.

My great uncle was Sgt 22631 James Henry Grinham he joined the Army in October 1915 it would appear he initially joined the Suffolk Regiment, he then transferred to the Kings Own Royal Lancashire Regiment on the 31st March 1916. He was awarded the DCM it was published in the London Gazette 3rd June 1918 "22631 Sjt. J. E. Grinham, R. Lanc. R.".

Also in the London Gazette on the 21st October 1918 I found the following extract :-

With reference to the announcement of the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal, which appears in the London Gazette dated 3rd June, 1918, the following are the acts of gallantry for which the decoration has been awarded: —

22631 Sjt. J. E. Grinham, R. Lane. R. (S. (Croydon).

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the trenches, on patrol, and with wiring parties. He was a persistent volunteer for all enterprises of a dangerous nature, and has saved many casualties in his platoon during heavy bombardments by his intelligent leadership and initiative'.

Neither my father nor my grandmother ever spoke of this great uncle I presume because he died so many years before, I wish I could have spoken him.

David Hawkridge






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