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

2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers



   2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers were in Dover with 12th Brigade, 4th Division when war was declared in August 1914. 4th Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 20th of August 1914, arriving in time to provide infantry reinforcements at the Battle of Le Cateau, the Divisional Artillery, Engineers, Field Ambulances and mounted troops being still en-route at this time. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres. On the 4th of November 1915 the 2nd Lancashires moved with 12th Brigade to 36th (Ulster) Division to provide training over the winter months and returned to 4th Division on the 3rd of February 1916. In 1916 moved south and were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 4th Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

8th Aug 1914 On the Move  location map

11th Aug 1914 On the Move

13th Aug 1914 On the March

17th Aug 1914 On the March

18th Aug 1914 Concentration

19th Aug 1914 Concentration

21st Aug 1914 On the Move

23rd Aug 1914 On the Move

24th Aug 1914 On the Move

25th Aug 1914 On the March

26th Aug 1914 Shellfire

27th Aug 1914 Enemy Advance

27th August 1914 On the Move

28th Aug 1914 Enemy Advance

28th Aug 1914 On the March

29th Aug 1914 In Action

29th Aug 1914 On the March

30th Aug 1914 Rear Guard

30th of August 1914 A Hot March

30th Aug 1914 On the March

31st August 1914 Outpost positions

31st Aug 1914 Rear Guard

31st August 1914 Continued withdrawals

31st Aug 1914 On the March

1st Sep 1914 Rear Guard

1st Sep 1914 On the March

1st Sep 1914 On the March

2nd Sep 1914 Rear Guard

2nd Sep 1914 On the March

3rd Sep 1914 Rear Guard

3rd of September 1914 Across the Marne

3rd Sep 1914 On the March

4th Sep 1914 Rear Guard

4th Sep 1914 At Rest

5th Sep 1914 Rear Guard

6th Sep 1914 Advance Guard

6th Sep 1914 On the March

7th Sep 1914 Advance Guard

8th Sep 1914 Advance Guard

9th Sep 1914 Bridging

10th of September 1914 Marching

17th September 1914 

28th Sep 1914 Hard at Work

29th Sep 1914 Attack Imminent

13th Oct 1914 On the March

14th Oct 1914 On the March

18th October 1914 Relief action

19th Oct 1914 Entrenching

30th Oct 1914 Under Shellfire

17th Nov 1914 Trench Difficulties

18th Nov 1914 Bridges and Trenches

19th Nov 1914 Snow

30th Nov 1914 Admitted to Hospital

5th December 1914 Quiet

9th December 1914 Uniforms

7th of November 1915 Present Stations

4th of January 1916 More Moves

5th of January 1916 Under 48th Division

8th of January 1916 Moves  location map

26th Apr 1916 Trench Work  location map

1st July 1916 Bombardment  location map

2nd July 1916 Trenches in Poor State  location map

3rd July 1916 Repairs  location map

18th of November 1916  Successful Relief

9th Oct 1917 2nd Essex & 2nd Lancs in action  2nd Essex & 2nd Lancs are in action at Poelcapple, with 12 Brigade.

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





Want to know more about 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers?


There are:5295 items tagged 2nd Battalion, Lancashire 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

2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers

during the Great War 1914-1918.

  • Ansboro Michael. Cpl. (d.26th Aug 1914)
  • Barrett John. Pte. (d.3rd May 1917)
  • Batchelor Herbert. Pte. (d.3rd May 1917)
  • Battrick George. Cpl.
  • Beadle John Thomas. Pte. (d.23rd Apr 1918)
  • Benton Reginald. Pte. (d.18th October 1916)
  • Bradbury Sampson. Pte. (d.10th Apr 1917)
  • Brennan Patrick. Pte. (d.26th Aug 1914)
  • Brereton Samuel. L/Sgt. (d.19th February 1916)
  • Briggs James. (d.15th July 1915)
  • Brocklehurst Ernest. Pte (d.12th Nov 1919)
  • Brookes James. Pte.
  • Brown Joseph. L/Cpl (d.19th Feb 1916)
  • Bullock Harry. Pte. (d.28th Mar 1918)
  • Burton Harry Stewart. Sgt.
  • Cassidy VC. Bernard Matthew. 2nd Lt. (d.28th March 1918)
  • Chase Herbert H.. Pte. (d.12th Jun 1915)
  • Colins Dalton E..
  • Collier John. Pte. (d.28th March 1918)
  • Costello Thomas. Pte. (d.23rd Oct 1916)
  • Dean Ellis. Pte. (d.3rd May 1917)
  • Dunbar David Francis. L/Cpl. (d.16th Dec 1914)
  • Dunbobbin John. Cpl. (d.5th May 1918)
  • Elkin Patrick. Pte. (d.12th October 1916)
  • Grime Arthur. Pte. (d.12th October 1916)
  • Hone Sidney William. Pte. (d.23rd Apr 1918)
  • Jones Richard. Pte. (d.9th Oct 1917)
  • Kendall Thomas. Pte.
  • Latham George W.. Cpl. (d.22nd Jan 1915)
  • Levett Charles Robert. Pte.
  • Lynn VC DCM. John. Pte. (d.2nd May 1915)
  • Manock Ina. Pte.
  • Marsden Nathan. Pte. (d.28th April 1918)
  • Martindale John Bell. Lt. (d.1st Aug 1918)
  • McLachlan Fred.
  • Nicol David. L/Sjt.
  • Nixon Alfred. Pte. (d.12th Nov 1918)
  • Reid Robert. (d.13th Sep 1914)
  • Ritson George. Pte.
  • Scoles Hubert. Pte.
  • Scott John. Pte. (d.3rd July 1917)
  • Sellars John. Pte. (d.12th Oct 1916)
  • Spencer Robert. (d.3rd May 1917)
  • Wainwright John. Pte. (d.10th October 1916)
  • Wiggin DCM. George William. Sgt.
  • Worthington Wilfred. Pte.

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 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers from other sources.


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  2nd Lt. Bernard Matthew Cassidy VC. 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918)

Bernard Cassidy was killed in action on the 28th of March 1918, aged 26. Commemorated on the Arras Memorial in the Fauburg-d'Amiens Cemetery in Arras, France, he was the son of Bernard and Julia Cassidy, of 29 Watford Rd, Victoria Docks, London.

An extract from the London Gazette, dated 30th April 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, self-sacrifice, and exceptional devotion to duty during an hostile attack. At a time when the flank of the division was in danger, Lt. Cassidy was in command of the left company of his battalion, which was in close support. He was given orders prior to the attack that he must hold on to his position to the last. He most nobly carried this out to the letter. The enemy came on in overwhelming numbers and endeavoured to turn the flank. He, however, continually rallied his men under a terrific bombardment. The enemy were several times cleared out of the trench by his personal leadership. His company was eventually surrounded, but Lt. Cassidy still fought on, encouraging and exhorting his men until he was eventually killed. By his most gallant conduct the whole attack was held up at this point and the left flank was undoubtedly saved from what might have been a disaster."

sbflynn






  Pte. Nathan Marsden 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.28th April 1918)

Nathan Marsden was killed in action on the 28th of April 1918, aged 25. Buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France, he was the husband of Elizabeth E. Cook (formerly Marsden), of 24, Hambledon View, Cheapside, Burnley.

s flynn






  Pte. Patrick Elkin 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.12th October 1916)

Patrick Elkin served with the 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers in WW1. He died 12th of October 1916 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

John Elkin






  Pte. Thomas Kendall 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

Thomas Kendall served with the 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers and earned the 1914 Star in France before being transferred to the 1st Garrison Battalion, Kings Liverpool Regiment on the 16th of August 1915.







  Pte. Hubert Scoles 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

Hubert Scoles was called to the colours in 1917. He had a wife and a young child of five. He died from wounds at the 22nd Casualty Clearing Station, on 28th of July 1918, and was buried in the Military Cemetery at Pernes-en-Artois.

Nigel Birch






  Pte. John Thomas Beadle 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.23rd Apr 1918)

The family know that Jack Beadle is remembered on the Loos Memorial, in France. However, I seem unable to find any material relating to the military engagement(s) of that particular day which resulted in my uncle's demise and would be more than grateful if anyone can point me in the right direction for ascertaining this.







  Sgt. George William Wiggin DCM. 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

I never had the honour of meeting my Grandfather, George Wiggin. He died in the 1930's as a result of wounds he received during the Great War. According to my father he was an a quiet, proud man who suffered as a result of his war wounds. He was unable to find regular work because of his injuries. My father and his sister knew little of his war history because he was reluctant to recount his experiences. My Grandmother was immensely proud of her husband. They had been childhood sweethearts and she treasured the postcards he sent her during the war. Although he returned in 1919 a much changed man, her love for him never wavered.

He joined the Lancashire fusiliers in 1912, family history suggests that he joined up because the Cotton Trade was enduring a slump and there wasn't enough money to feed the family. He was part of the British Expeditionary Force in 1914 and continued to serve throughout the entire war. He was wounded five times and spent at least one period in hospital back in England. He was awarded the DCM in 1917, after charging a German machine gun post. He killed several men and took others prisoners.

I was given the middle name William in his honour, and in turn my first son also carries this name. I would like to think that his tradition will carry on in the future to remember the great sacrifices that he and my grandmother made.

Keith Wiggins






   Fred McLachlan 2nd (Salford Pals) Btn Lancashire Fusiliers

Researching my family tree and discovered my great great grandfather, Fred McLachlan served in WW1 and was near Thiepval on the ist of July 1916 during "the big push".

I would like to find out a bit more and would love to see a photo of him or his Regiment.







  Pte. John Barrett 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (d.3rd May 1917)

My 2nd Great Uncle John Barrett died on the 3rd of May 1917 in the Battle of Arras. I have been to Arras and found his name commemorated on the wall of the memorial there.

Patricia Allan






  Pte. John Scott 4th Dragoon Guards (d.3rd July 1917)

Private John Scott of Morecambe, served with 4th Dragoon Guards (Royal Irish) attached to 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers He was killed in action on 3rd July 1917.

Caroline Hunt






  Pte. John Wainwright 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.10th October 1916)

John Wainwright is my great uncle who died, aged 22, on the Somme. John had joined up about 1911, he had followed his brother Thomas into the army. Thomas was a Grenadier Guard who was killed in Belgium in 1914 aged 29. John married Mary Ann Degnan in 1914 before being sent to France. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. Never forgotten.







  Pte. Thomas Costello 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.23rd Oct 1916)

My Son who has joined the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers had a pin badge given to him.The badge was made from the artillery that was found at the Somme. With the badge came a card with a soldiers name, rank and date of death and the cemetery he is buried at. The badges are made for each soldier that died at the Somme so that they are never forgotten. I felt I needed to find out more about Private Thomas Costello and his life so that he will never be forgotten and I am in the process of doing this. Thomas was buried at Guards' Cemetery Lesboeufs. He was possibly the Thomas Costello born in 1882. In 1901 he lived with his widowed mother Catherine and by 1911 he was married to Maria and had two children; Thomas S. and Marion. He was employed as an Iron Turner.

Ann Hardman






  Pte. Ina Manock 4th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

Ina's story, from the available records, shows the following: The 1911 census shows 19-year-old unmarried shop assistant Ina Manock living with his 43-year-old widowed mother Hannah Maria and three female boarders at 80 Moss St, Rochdale.

The Medals Rolls show Pte. Ina Manock (Regt. Nos: 75901, 27562). His attestation papers state that he was born between July and September 1891 in Middleton Junction, near Oldham, Lancashire. A single moulders labourer, living at 10 Hardman Rd, Rochdale, Ina joined the 4th Lancashire Fusiliers on 8th December 1915 at the age of 24 years 4 months. (He later served with the 2nd, 3rd and 15th Battalions, too.) On enlistment, Ina is described as 5' 7" tall; weighing 132lbs. Shortly after, he gave his new wife Ethel (nee Wilson) of 81 Moss St, Rochdale, as his next-of-kin. The couple were married in St. Peters Newbold, Rochdale, on 20th March 1917.

Ina was in the UK from 26 January 1917 to 17th April 1917. He went to France on 18th April 1917. On 9th January 1918 he was transferred to the UK on the Hospital Ship St. Patrick. He was admitted to VA Hospital in Northam, north of Bideford, with trench fever on 10th January 1918. He spent from 14th February until 27th March 1918, being treated for the same thing, in Exeters No. 3 War Hospital.

On 15th May 1918 he was wounded (described variously as a shell abrasion, a gunshot wound and an abscess) in his right knee, for which he was treated in the 21st General Hospital, Etaples. He also spent from 7th September to 2nd December 1918 being treated for an infected blister to his right ankle (malleolus).

On 14th September 1918, he was transferred to the UK via the Hospital Ship Stad Antwerpen. On 15th January 1819, Ina applied for a pension on the basis of weakness/swelling following the healing of drainage wounds to his right heel/calf. A 20% disability was agreed. He described his last job, before joining the army, as that of a brass finisher working for the Brierley Brass Works, Hill St, Rochdale. Ina was discharged from the army on 26th January 1919.

In 1922, Ina and Ethel were living at 81 Moss St, Rochdale. Ina died in Rochdale between January and March 1963 aged 71.

Sue Rugg






  Pte. George Ritson 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

George Ritson was born on 29th December 1890 and joined the 5th Militia Lancashire Fusiliers on 13th January 1908 service number 3133. He joined the regiment in the 2nd Battalion as a private on 6th March 1908 at 17 years and 3 months. His army record shows 18 years and 0 months. His service number was 1400.

He sailed for France on 20th August 1914 as part of the BEF and saw 4 years and 1 month service during the war. He transferred to the Royal Engineers as a motorcycle dispatch rider on approximately 22nd March 1918 service number 359642. In April 1920 he was transferred to the reserves and discharged after completing 12 years service. He had the 1914 Star with the rose on his ribbon, also the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He continued in the reserves until April 1929. He was present at some of the greatest battles of the First World War. He died in Troon, Scotland in 1954.

<p>1918 as a Dispatch rider

<p>Discharge certificate

<p>1918 Dispatch rider

<p>Lancashire Fusiliers

John Ritson






  Pte. Charles Robert Levett 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

Charles Levett enlisted in territorials in 1912. He was mobilised on the 5th of August 1914 and posted France on the 22nd of August 1914. Wounded sometime in late 1915 or early 1916 by bullet lodged in right shoulder, he was discharged as no longer fit for duty on the 18th of July 1916.

Greg Chuter






  Pte. Richard Jones 2nd Battalion, C Coy. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.9th Oct 1917)

Richard Jones was a colour mixer at a local wallpaper company, when he was called up for service through the Derby scheme in March 1916. He was single, and was boarding in a 4 room house with his sister Sarah Ann, her husband and 8 of their children. He served 19 months with the 2nd Bn of The Lancashire Fusiliers, before being mortally wounded during the battle of Poelcappelle. Richard died on 9th of October 1917 and is buried in Concrete House Cemetery.

Stephen Jones






  Lt. John Bell Martindale 2nd Btn. North Lancashire Fusiliers (d.1st Aug 1918)

John Martindale was born in 1887, the son of John Johnstone Martindale and Jessie Martindale, of "Lansdowne," Hawthorn Lane, Wilmslow. He died of his wounds on 1st August 1918 and is buried at Senlis French Cemetery at Oise.

Shirley Ross






  Pte. Sidney William Hone 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.23rd Apr 1918)

Sidney Hone was the son of George and Clara Hone of Drewitt's Cottages, Bridge St., Walton-on-Thames, husband of Christina T. Hone of 2 Dawlish Cottages, Thames St., Walton-on-Thames. He is remembered on the Loos Memorial.







  Pte. Ellis Dean 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.3rd May 1917)

Ellis Dean's mother was my grandmother's sister. She moved to Liverpool from Londonderry to work and married Ellis Dean Snr. Ellis Dean Jnr's Uncle and cousin were both killed at Thiepval on 1st July 1916, serving with 10th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

Ernie Norris






  Cpl. George Battrick 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers

George Battrick , my great uncle, was born in Wandsworth, London in 1895 & joined the Army in September 1914 while his family were living in Dunstable, Bedfordshire. I believe he may have been a member of another regiment at the beginning of the war looking after horses, so how he became a member of the Lancashire Fusiliers is a mystery to me.

In March 1915 he served on the Western Front, remaining there until the end of the war. He took part in many bloody actions at Ypres, the Somme, Arras & Armentieres, survived the war to marry Ella in 1921. They had two daughters & a son but George died in hospital in 1959.

Binzy Reynolds






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