12th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment

   12th (Service) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was raised at Mill Hill in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 54th Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. They moved to Colchester for training, undertaking final training at Codford, on Salisbury Plain from May 1915. They proceeded to France on the 26th of July 1915 landing at Le Havre, the division concentrated 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. On the 13th of February 1918 the 12th Middlesex was disbanded in France as the army was reorganised.

2nd Aug 1915 Inspection

13th April 1916 Bombardment

30th June 1916 Trench Raid

14th Jul 1916 Wood Captured

26th Sep 1916 In Action

24th of January 1918

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There are:5236 items tagged 12th Battalion, Middlesex 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
12th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment
during the Great War 1914-1918.

Butcher Alexander Benjamin. Pte.
Day Joseph William . Pte. (d.26th September 1918)
Goodyer Thomas. Sgt.
Jackson William. Pte (d.7th Aug 1917)
Marris Alan Barrington. Pte. (d.26th Sep 1916)
Stratton Arthur. RSM. (d.26th Sep 1916)
Wilkinson Alfred Henry. Pte. (d.26th Sep 1916)

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Pte William Jackson 12th Btn Middlesex Regiment Essex Regiment (d.7th Aug 1917)

William Jackson. 1888-1917.
Born: in Limbury, Bedfordshire in 1888, William Jackson was the son of William and Anne Jackson, of 17 Marsh Road, Leagrave, Bedfordshire.
Pte William Jackson, 238023, 12th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, was reported wounded and missing in Flanders on 1917-08-07, and later presumed dead on that date. He was aged 29, married and had one child.
His widow Maud first received official news from the War Office in September 1917 that her husband was wounded. A month later she learned he was missing.
William had enlisted in the Essex Regiment (202649) in March 1916 and was drafted to the Front the following June. He had transferred to the Middlesex Regiment by the time of his death.
Prior to joining up he was employed as a blocker by straw hat manufacturer Mr W. A. Sharp, of Victoria Street, Luton.
According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, he was originally buried in a 'small cemetery' with the map reference 'I.17.b.3.8.'. Later, in 1919 he was moved to Birr Crossroads Cemetery, Zillebeke, Belgium.
The age on his gravestone is incorrect and should read 'Age 29'.
He is commemorated on the Leagrave war memorial which is in Marsh Road, Leagrave, Luton. Bedfordshire and also in the Leagrave Royal British Legion Club.
John Seager

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Pte. Alan Barrington Marris 12th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.26th Sep 1916)

Barrington Marris was a pupil of Bedford School from 1904 to 1906. He lost his life serving with the 12th Middlesex Regiment in the Great War.
Georgina Worboys

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Pte. Alexander Benjamin Butcher 12th Battalion Middlesex Regiment

Alexander Butcher served with the 12th, 18th and 23rd Battalions, Middlesex Regiment.
David Butcher

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Pte. Joseph William Day 12th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.26th September 1918)

Private Joseph William Day, son of Mrs. M.J.Day, 42 Park Hill, Ampthill, Bedfordshire; born and living in Ampthill, enlisted Bedford. Served with the 12th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Own Middlesex Regiment (service no. G/28037).
He was killed in action on 26th September 1918 in France and Flanders age 19 years and is buried in Lonsdale Cemetery, France. He is remembered on both The War Memorial and The Alamada, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill.
Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com
Caroline Hunt

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RSM. Arthur Stratton 12th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.26th Sep 1916)

Regimental Sergeant Major Arthur Stratton was killed on the 26th September 1916 at the Somme and his name is marked on the Thiepval Memorial. He did not know that his son (aged 19 months) Ronald Ernest Stratton died of tubercular meningitis two hours earlier at their home in Portsmouth. My grandfather, Army Chaplain, Rev. Herbert Butler Cowl (attached to Portsmouth Garrison) buried the little boy. It is not known if Arthur Stratton had ever seen his son.
Sarah Reay

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Pte. Alfred Henry Wilkinson 12th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.26th Sep 1916)

Alfred Wilkinson was my uncle, born in 1896 he was a Bank Clerk. He joined the Army on 31st March 1916 at High Beech Camp, Loughton Essex.
He met his death on 26th September 1916 in the storming of Thiepval at the Somme. A letter from a comrade in action to Alfred's father reads as follows: I was with Alfred when he was hit. I'm afraid I cannot tell you much, but will give you what I saw of him. We were advancing in file with Alfred on my right hand. we got over about 300yds, when the boches being driven out of their trenches, we took cover behind a fallen tree log to fire. All rising up to rush the trench, Alfred was hit by a shrapnel in his right thigh and sank behind the tree again. As we had to rush the trench we couldn't stop to reach him. We last saw him reclining on his left side holding his hand over the wound which we did not think at all serious. Being where he was he was well protected from snipers and certainly he could never have been taken prisoner there, being left 100 yds behind. The only thing that must have happened was that, as the enemy shelled all the ground gained in hopes of stopping reinforcements, he was caught by one of their shells. In that case anything could have happened, for no one would be able to get him until the shelling had ceased; a shell would throw up enough earth to bury one from sight, which would account for his identification disc not being brought in. If he was able to proceed down to the dressing station,he would have to go over the enemy fire showing that anything may have happened to him. I am afraid that is all I know with regard to Alfred whom I have known for about six months and we all render you our deepest sympathy in your undoubtable loss. yours sincerely, J H Wilson.
David Allen

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12th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment
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12th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment

Want to know more about 12th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment?

Those known to have served with12th Battalion, Middlesex Regimentduring the Great War 1914-1918.

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If you enjoy this site please consider making a donation.

Announcements

Recomended Reading.

Links

The Wartime Memories Project
- 12th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment during the Great War -

Those known to have served with
12th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment
during the Great War 1914-1918.