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

2nd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment



   2nd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment was based at Tidworth with 7th Brigade, 3rd Division when war was decalred in August 1914. They proceeded to France with the BEF and landed at Le Havre on the 14th of August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. On the 18th of October 1915 they transferred with 7th Brigade to 25th Division and on the 26th they transferred to 75th Brigade, 25th Division. They were in action in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. On the 21st of June 1916 they transferred to 64th Brigade in 21st Division and were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 30th of June 1918 they transferred to 89th Brigade, 30th Division. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919, 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

5th August 1914 Mobilization

11th August 1914 Advance Party arrives

14th August 1914 Quartering Arrangements Completed

16th August 1914 Movement Orders

17th August 1914 On the Move

18th August 1914 On the Move

19th August 1914 Changes in quartering arrangements

20th August 1914 Changes in quartering arrangements

21st August 1914 Taking up stations in assigned areas.

22nd August 1914 Taking up stations in assigned areas.

23rd August 1914 German attack crosses Canal

24th August 1914 Withdrawals

25th August 1914 Ongoing Retirement

25th Aug 1914  Rear Guard

26th August 1914 In Action

26th August 1914 Retirement

26th August 1914 Ongoing Retirement

27th Aug 1914 Rear Guard

27th August 1914 Continued withdrawals

28th Aug 1914 Rear Guard

28th August 1914 Initial Intelligence Report

28th Aug 1914 On the March

29th August 1914 Ongoing Retirement

29th Aug 1914 On the March

30th August 1914 Demolitions on withdrawals

31st August 1914 Continued withdrawals

4th September 1914 Enemy across the Marne

6th September 1914 Attack Made

7th September 1914 Attack progressing

8th September 1914 Ongoing Battles

9th September 1914 Ongoing Action

10th September 1914 Davance

11th September 1914 Continued progress

12th September 1914 Bad Weather

13th September 1914 Strong Opposition

14th September 1914 Further Advance

15th September 1914 Shelling

16th September 1914 Difficulties

17th September 1914 Heavy Bombardment

18th September 1914 Night Attacks

19th September 1914 Attack Repulsed

20th September 1914 Ongoing Action

20th Sep 1914 2nd South Lancs in the Line

20th September 1914 Reliefs

21st September 1914 Attacks

22nd September 1914 Reliefs

23rd September 1914 Patrols

24th September 1914 Artillery Exchange

26th September 1914 Aircraft Assists

27th September 1914 Continuing action around bridges

28th September 1914 Bridges

29th September 1914 Ongoing fighting on all fronts

30th September 1914 September Intelligence Summary

1st October 1914 Commencement of Move

11th Oct 1914 On the March

12th Oct 1914 In Action  location map

13th Oct 1914 In Action  location map

15th Oct 1914 Advance Continues  location map

16th Oct 1914 Advance Continues

16th Oct 1914 Difficult Relief

17th Oct 1914 Advance Continues

26th Oct 1914 In Action  location map

27th Oct 1914 In Action  location map

28th Oct 1914 Reliefs  location map

13th Nov 1914 Attack Made

4th of February 1915 Chicken Sentries

12th Mar 1915 Attack Made

24th Jul 1915 Reliefs  location map

27th Aug 1915 Trench Work  location map

12th Sep 1915 Shelling  location map

25th Sep 1915 Attack Made  location map

1st Oct 1915 Reliefs  location map

1st Oct 1915 Reliefs  location map

26th Oct 1915 Change of Billets  location map

29th Oct 1915 Reliefs  location map

4th Nov 1915 Reliefs  location map

10th Nov 1915 Reliefs  location map

16th Nov 1915 Reliefs  location map

22nd Nov 1915 Reliefs

8th Dec 1915 Reliefs  location map

13th Dec 1915 Reliefs  location map

18th Dec 1915 Relief Completed  location map

18th of December 1915 Repairs Continue

2nd Jan 1916 Relief Complete  location map

7th Jan 1916 Reliefs  location map

13th Jan 1916 Shelling  location map

19th Jan 1916 Attack Made  location map

21st Jan 1916 Snipers  location map

23rd Jan 1916 Sniping  location map

8th Feb 1916 Change of Command

9th Feb 1916 Route March  location map

10th Feb 1916 Route March  location map

19th Feb 1916 Sports  location map

20th Feb 1916 Sports  location map

26th Feb 1916 Snow  location map

29th Feb 1916 Training  location map

8th Mar 1916 Route March

21st Mar 1916 Training

24th Mar 1916 Bad Weather

27th Mar 1916 On the March

5th Apr 1916 Training

21st Apr 1916 Reliefs  location map

16th May 1916 Reliefs

24th May 1916 Reliefs  location map

24th Jun 1916 Race

2nd Jul 1916 Shelling  location map

2nd Jul 1916 On the March

3rd Jul 1916 Attack Made  location map

3rd Jul 1916 Attack

7th Jul 1916 In Action  location map

15th Jul 1916 Ready  location map

20th Jul 1916 Inspection

2nd Apr 1918 Into the Line  location map

8th Apr 1918 Reliefs  location map

9th of April 1918 A Busy Day  location map

10th Apr 1918 In Action  location map

11th of April 1918 Quiet...and then...  location map

12th of April 1918 Enemy Advances  location map

13th of April 1918 Under Heavy Attack  location map

14th of April 1918 A Counter-Attack  location map

17th of April 1918 HQs Move  location map

18th of April 1918 Relief for Some  location map

19th of April 1918 A Quiet Day  location map

26th of April 1918 Allied Counter-Attack  location map

27th of April 1918 Holding at All Costs  location map

29th of April 1918 Under Fire Again  location map

30th of April 1918 Reliefs and Attacks  location map

22th September 1918 Diary

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





Want to know more about 2nd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment?


There are:5358 items tagged 2nd Battalion, South Lancashire 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

2nd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment

during the Great War 1914-1918.

  • Aaron John. Pte (d.13th Apr 1918)
  • Acheson Joseph. 2nd Lt (d.7th Jun 1918)
  • Ayles Fredrick. Pte. (d.13th Nov 1914)
  • Bennett James. Pte
  • Bernes Michael. L/Cpl. (d.24th Oct 1914)
  • Boland Harold George. L/Cpl.
  • Bowker Sydney. Pte. (d.15th Apr 1918)
  • Brady John. Pte. (d.6th Jun 1915)
  • Burrows Frederick. Cpl. (d.20th September 1914)
  • Doody Michael James. Pte. (d.21st April 1919)
  • Ford Frederick. Sergeant
  • Game David James . Sgt.
  • Gillbanks George Edward. Pte (d.21st Oct 1916)
  • Goodwyn Charles Ivor. Pte. (d.22nd Mar 1918)
  • Green George. Pte. (d.3rd Sep 1916)
  • Green Malcolm Charles Andrew. Lt.Col. (d.17th Nov 1914)
  • Harradine David. Pte. (d.21st October 1916)
  • Hatton William. Pte. (d.10th Apr 1918)
  • Howarth John. Pte. (d.29th April 1918)
  • Jones MID John George. Cpl. (d.15th Oct 1914)
  • Lewis Alfred. Pte (d.3 Jul 1916)
  • Lewis Griffiths. Pte. (d.26th Jun 1916)
  • McCann John. Pte. (d.25th Dec 1914)
  • McClymont James. Pte (d.22nd March 1918)
  • Murphy Charles. Pte. (d.18th May 1918)
  • Newall Thomas. Pte. (d.27th August 1915)
  • O'Hare Felix John. Pte (d.8th Jun 1915)
  • Parker William Donald. Pte. (d.7th October 1918)
  • Phelps Thomas Edgar. Pte.
  • Pickup James Frederick. Cpl. (d.21st Aug 1918)
  • Pritchard M Milt. Issacc Thomas. Private
  • Pullen Ernest John. Pte. (d.3rd July 1916 )
  • Rennells W. J. M.. (d.28th March 1915)
  • Roberts Wallace. Pte. (d.26th April 1918)
  • Rogers John. Pte. (d.9th Mar 1917)
  • Saunders George. Pte.
  • Smith John. Pte. (d.14th June 1917)
  • Thompson Walter. Pte. (d.13 July 1916)
  • Tye MM Robert. Serj. (d.13th August 1917)
  • Waite William Charles. Pte. (d.14th April 1918)
  • Williams Arthur. Pte. (d.1st Jun 1918)

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, South Lancashire Regiment from other sources.


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  Sgt. David James Game 6th Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

Sgt. David James Game served with the 1st Battalion South Lancs 1904-1913 [7yrs India], 2nd Battalion South Lancs BEF 1914 [Battle of Mons] and 6th Battalion South Lancs BEF 1915-1919 Gallipoli and Mesopatamia

My grandfather was born 23rd August 1888 in Cambridge, he was one of 9 children, his parents moved to Leamington around 1899, and they lived in Bedford Street. Grandad enlisted with the 1st Battalion South Lancs in 1904 aged 15 years old, he was under age, on his service record he put his DOB as 1886, he served 9 years, 7 of them in India, he left in 1913 to join his brothers in Canada. Unfortunately war broke out and Grandad was back to the UK, he was now with the 2nd Battalion South Lancs as the 1st Battalion served the war in India.

Being in the regular army he was with the BEF [British Expeditionary Force] who were sent out to France whilst the New Army was being trained. I am able to piece together my grandfather’s experiences from himself, his service records and the War Diaries. Having served in France between 5 August and 22 November 1914, Grandad was truly "An Old Contemptible". He was also entitled to wear the clasp & rose to his 1914 Star Medal, awarded to all those who served under fire with the original British Expeditionary Force. By European standards the peacetime British Army was very small, but what it lacked in numbers it made up for in quality. Its Regular soldiers were long-time service professionals, confident in their marksmanship and discipline, and intensely proud of their Regiments. In comparison with the largely conscript continental armies, the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) of 1914 was indeed ‘a rapier among scythes’

Grandad took part in, the battles of Aisne and La Bassee, From 12th to 29th October 2nd South Lancashires experienced severe fighting and heavy casualties at the Battle of La Bassée, on the 21st October under cover of the mist, the Germans penetrated the front of the South Lancashires, on this day alone they lost seven officers and over two hundred men , but despite determined German attacks the battered line never broke.

First Battle Ypres: 2nd South Lancashires joined the 1st Loyal North Lancashires in the Ypres fighting, withstanding repeated attacks at Nonne Boschen 11th-13th Nov. The battle swayed back and forth as fresh German divisions were committed and, with ever decreasing numbers, the British Regular Army fought almost literally to the death, constantly attacking , withdrawing and counter attacking. The line held but at a terrible cost, both battalions being reduced to barely company strength. "Although names are given to periods of fighting, it is not possible to describe them as battles. It was a period of continuous, prolonged, ruthless encounter hardly interrupted at night. Our troops had no rest. They were out-numbered, out-gunned and opposed by a determined, skilful and implacable enemy. The fighting was largely individual. The casualties were so heavy that units lost their identity and were roughly grouped under brigades. The troops fought in shallow trenches and shell holes, and in terrible weather conditions. In addition to wound and death casualties, they suffered from frozen feet and knees and from rheumatism. Repulse of German attacks was a daily commonplace. Hourly shelling, to which no reply was possible, owing to shortage of ammunition. Only at night could supplies be brought up and wounded removed. As soon as dusk fell, Ypres was crowded with vehicles passing in and out...

It was at Nonne Boschen on the 13th Nov my granddad was wounded, he was returned home to England. In July 1915 he was with the BEF attached to the 6th Battalion South Lancs on his way to Gallipoli, they sailed from Avonmouth in June 1915, landed at Cape Helles (Gallipoli) 7-31 July, then moved to Mudros. Landed at Anzac Beach 4 August 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. It was here in Gallipoli he was promoted to Sergeant. They were evacuated from Gallipoli and went to Egypt via Mudros.

February 1916 he was on his way to Mesopotamia, the 6th Battalions of the East Lancashires, South Lancashires and Loyal North Lancashires, veterans of Gallipoli, were sent to Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) . They landed at Basra in March 1916. They formed part of the 38th (Lancashire) Infantry Brigade of the 13th (Western) Division of Kitchener’s New Army Here they had to acclimatize into the extreme weather conditions. Even so, with temperatures regularly exceeding 50 deg.C, death and illness from heat-stroke were common and dysentery, malaria and other tropical diseases were endemic. Grandad was used to the high temperatures, from his time spent in India, he partook in the battles here, and he finally returned home in March 1919. He was so very lucky to have survived all this, to come home, due probably to his expert pre war training.

He married Ellen Donald in 1920. On his return home from the Great War to a home fit for heroes, he found 2 1/2 days a fortnight work, digging trenches" for pipes. In 1923 - 1926 he joined the East Lancs as a private. Re-enlistment was encouraged by the short-term offer of a considerable financial incentive, this enabled my grandparents to eventually buy their home in Coventry. I believe he was truly a remarkable man.

<p>

<p>

Pat Evans






  Pte. George "Dodger" Green 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916)

Letter informing his wife Sarah of his injury

George Green was a private who had previously fought in the Boer war. He was still on the reserve list and received call up papers on the day war was declared. He fought with the BEF and was injured in his right arm during an assault in the Richbourg area.

He was admitted to the hospital on 15th October 1914. It is not know when he rejoined his company. He died on the 3rd September 1916 on the Somme near Thiepval where his company were trying to take the Liepsig Redoubt. The picture of him was taken on a ward at the hospital and his wife Sarah wore it around her neck in a locket all her life. She never re married.

<p>Locket Picture

Paul Green






  Cpl. John George Jones MID 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.15th Oct 1914)

John George Jones was killed in action on the 15th of October 1914, aged 29. Buried in Bethune Town Cemetery in France, he was the husband of H. E. Armstrong (formerly Jones), of 24 Prince St., Haworth Brow, Keighley. Native of Scarborough, Yorkshire, he had lived in Burnley since the age of six.

s flynn






  Pte Alfred Lewis 2nd Battalion South Lancashire Regiment (d.3 Jul 1916)

Alfred Lewis, a labourer, enlisted at the age of 34 on 30th Jun 1915 in Liverpool. After training he embarked at Southampton on 3 Jan 1916 and joined No. 5 Infantry Base Depot, Rouen on 4 Jan 16.

He proceeded to the Front on 20 Jan 16, where he joined the 2nd Battalion. He was killed in action on 3 Jul 1916 during the unsuccessful attack on the Leipzig Salient on the Thiepval Spur in the Battle of the Somme. He left behind a widow and five children.

Tim Smith






  Pte. William Donald Parker 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.7th October 1918)

William Parker was my grandfather's brother. Joined up aged 16 in 1914. He was taken prisoner April 1918 at the Battle of the Lys and was held behind the German rear lines. During a British air raid on 7th of October 1918 a bomb was dropped near to his billet shattering the windows, a piece of glass hit and killed him. To have served the whole war only to be killed accidentally within 5 or 6 weeks of the end of the war was tragic.

David Brown






  Pte. John Howarth 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.29th April 1918)

John Howarth served with the 2nd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment in WW1. He died 29th of April 1918 aged 32 years and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium. Husband of Jessie Howarth of 973 Atherton Road, Hindley Green, Wigan, Lancs.

Ann Whittome






  Pte. Arthur Williams 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.1st Jun 1918)

Arthur Williams served with the 2nd South Lancashire Regiment He was killed in France on 1st of June 1918 age 26. He is brother to Private Herbert Williams of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment and brother in law to Hugh Edward, David Evan and George Ellis Price Humphreys.

Tony Cowley






  Pte George Edward Gillbanks 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.21st Oct 1916)

George Gillbanks was a Carter by profession who enlisted in the South Lancashire Regiment apparently at the same time as his brother Edward and brother-in-law Sam Jeffers, ending up in France where he saw action at Vimy Ridge, but was killed in action during the siege of the Stuff Redoubt on Thiepval Ridge on the 21st of October 1916.

He was buried in a temporary grave, but George's body was later exhumed and reburied at Grandcourt Military Cemetery, which is situated about 5 miles North East of the town of Albert.

On the 100th Anniversary of his death my brother Bill, his sons Brian and Ian and myself paid homage to my Grandfather George at his grave site. I have been unable to find a photo of George Edward in uniform so will substitute the only picture I have of him.

James Gillbanks






  Cpl. James Frederick Pickup 2nd Battalion South Lancashire Regiment (d.21st Aug 1918)

James Pickup is buried at Locre.

Charlotte Brookes






  Pte. Michael James Doody 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.21st April 1919)

My grandfather, Michael Doody, died of illness we are told. He was a drummer as we have a photo of him in uniform with a big drum. I'm afraid we don't know much more.

Michael Robinson






  Pte James Bennett 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

James Bennett was held as a POW in Hameln, Germany during the War.

Mrs Patricia Atherton






  Pte. William Charles Waite 2nd Battalion South Lancashire Regiment (d.14th April 1918)

William Waite, the son of Mr and Mrs Frank Waite of Rangeworthy, Gloucestershire, enlisted into the General Service on 29th November 1915. He transferred to the reserve and was mobilized on 15th June 1916 and posted to the Royal Engineers. On 25th December 1916 he was posted to 1st Btn, Gloucestershire Regiment and deployed to France.

He was wounded on 19th of November 1917 and repatriated to UK on 20th. On 25th of March 1918 he was re-deployed to France with 2nd Btn, South Lancashire Regiment. He died at 62nd Casualty Clearing Station on 14th of April 1918. His widow, Elizabeth (nee Fletcher), and daughter Ivy Muriel Marjorie, lived at Chaingate Lane, Yate.

Arthur Threlfall Searson






  Pte James McClymont 2nd Battalion South Lancashire Regiment (d.22nd March 1918)

James McClymont was born to George and Annabella McClymont of Workington, Cumberland. Jimmy died on Friday, 22nd March 1918, aged 19, in an area around Maricourt Wood. The enemy attack was likely to be Operation Michael which was the start of the 1918 Spring Offensive. He is commemorated at Pozieres Memorial, France.

The day before his death, 21st March 1918, his older brother George was also killed. This happened about 7 miles away. George was 21 years old. He is commemorated in the Arras Memorial, France.

Lesley Zetterstrom






  Pte. Charles Murphy 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.18th May 1918)

Charles Murphy was born on 15th September 1890 in Liverpool, the son of James Murphy of 8 Diana St, Walton, Liverpool. He served with the 2nd South Lancashire Regiment. He was initially reported as missing but later reported as a Prisoner of War, being captured on 22nd of March 1918 at Frankreich Bapaume, France. He was taken to the POW camp of Celle Schloss near the town of Soltau, Germany. He died as a result of wounds received while in the service of his King and country, in Celle, Lower Saxony, Germany on the 18th of May 1918. He is buried in the Ohlsdorf Friedhof Cemetery in Ohlsdorf Hamburg-Nord Germany.

<p>In the middle

<p>Obit in Echo 8th of Aug 1918

Judy Grange






  Pte. David Harradine 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.21st October 1916)

I have recently found out about David Harradine and his sacrifice from researching my family tree. He was my great uncle, my grandmother's brother. David lived most of his life in Northwich, Cheshire. He went to school at Dane Bridge and was enrolled there by his father, Thomas Harradine. He came from quite a large family, nine children in all.

His name is on the Thiepval monument, which is for soldiers missing and killed in action, with no known grave. The inscription is, Here are recorded the names of officers and servicemen of the British armies who fell at the Somme battlefields July 1915-February 1918. But to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial, given to comrades in death.

Christine Walsh






  Pte. Walter Thompson 2nd Battalion South Lancashire Regiment (d.13 July 1916)

Brother of George Edward Thompson 2nd Devons KIA July 1st 1916 Sommme.

Brother of William Henry Thompson KIA HMS Inefatigable Jutland 31 May 1916

L.T. Watson






  Pte. John Smith 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.14th June 1917)

John was the son of Albert and Mary Smith, Johnson's Cottage, Denbigh; husband of Catherine Elizabeth Smith, Goppa, Denbigh.

Richard Roberts






  Pte. Wallace Roberts 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.26th April 1918)

Wallace was the husband of Marie Roberts, 49 Chapel Street, St Helens.

Richard Roberts






   W. J. M. Rennells 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Rgt. (d.28th March 1915)

Private Rennells was a prisoner at Wittenberg POW Camp. He died on 28th March 1915 during the typhus epidemic in the camp. He is buried in Berlin South Western Cemetery, grave XII.C.12







  Pte. George Saunders 2nd Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

My grandfather George had a short war. He was there where the first shots were fired at Mons and in the next three weeks fought in five named battles, during which his regiment lost half its men to death or wounds. George was badly wounded, pulled from a pile of dead bodies and sent home. His death certificate in 1968 refers to after-effects of his wounds, which he endured for 54 years.

Despite its being only 13 miles from London, George was born and brought up in Old Bexley village, which was rural in those days. My mother says he joined the army, aged 17 in 1908 as a regular, to get away from a house full of women. Curiously, he enlisted in the 2nd South Lancashire regiment, who were based in Tidworth and recruiting in London.

War was declared on 4 August 1914, his regiment was mobilised and 27 officers and 980 men left Southampton for France ten days later. On 22 August they arrived at Mons (battle honour) and that afternoon commenced in action for 36 hours. On 24/25th they were in the fighting retreat (battle honour) and on 26th they stood firm at le Cateau (battle honour) which allowed the other allied units to escape and regroup. 2nd South Lancashires were widely scattered and down to 500 men. They had marched 200 miles, much of which was in battle. Continuing their march they were in the Battle of the Marne (battle honour)on 6 to 8 September. From 10th to 12th they turned and were in pursuit of the Germans who were in retreat, having outrun their supply lines. The Germans entrenched north of the river Aisne and on 15th September, four weeks after arriving in France and three weeks since Mons, 2 South Lancashires gained their fifth battle honour for the first Battle of the Aisne. It was there that my grandfather was wounded. The battalion was 'withdrawn to safety' on 21st September, having been in almost continuous action for 31 days.

Tankertonian






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