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This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site you agree to accept cookies. If you enjoy this site please consider making a donation.     Site Home     Great War Home     Search     Add Stories & Photos     Library     Help & FAQs  Features     Allied Army     Day by Day     RFC & RAF     Prisoners of War     War at Sea     Training for War     The Battles     Those Who Served     Hospitals     Civilian Service     Women at War     The War Effort     Central Powers Army     Central Powers Navy     Imperial Air Service     Library     World War Two  Submissions     Add Stories & Photos     Time Capsule  Information     Help & FAQs     Glossary     Our Facebook Page     Volunteering     News     Events     Contact us     Great War Books     About Advertisements World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great 1914 1918 first battalion regiment

5th Battalion, London Regiment    5th (London Rifle Brigade) Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 130 Bunhill Road, Finsbury. When war broke out in August 1914, they were part of 2nd London Brigade, 1st London Division and were at once mobilised, moving to Bisley. In September they moved to Crowborough for final training and on the 5th of November 1914 the Battalion left the London Division, proceeding to France, landing at Le Havre. On the 17th of November they joined 11th Brigade, 4th Division. They were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and on the 19th of May 1915 the Battalion transferred to GHQ Troops, forming a composite unit with the 1/12th and 1/13th Battalions the London Regiment, whilst they recovered from lossed. The 1/5th resumed their own identity on the 11th of August. On the 25th of October 1915 they transferred to 8th Brigade, 3rd Division and on the 10th of February 1916 they transferred to 169th Brigade, in the newly reformed 56th (London) Division, in the Hallencourt area in February. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme taking part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the 1st of July. Also The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras in April, then The Battle of Langemarck in August, then the Cambrai Operations in November. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the infantry were in a rest period, whilst the artillery were in action. The Division received orders to join the British force to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were cancelled on the 21st of November, when they were in the area of Harveng undertaking road and railway repairs. Demobilisation was completed on the 18th of May 1919. 28th Nov 1914 Entrenching 22nd April 1915 Operational Order No.3 13th May 1915 Enemy attacks on British Ammunition Dump  The British ammunition dump at Wieltje is attacked by the enemy. L/Sgt Douglas Belcher of the 1/5th City of London Battalion, London Regiment was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in breaking up enemy attacks under continuous fire to protect the supplies: "Early in morning, when in charge of a portion of an advanced breastwork south of the Wieltje-St Julien Road during a very fierce and continuous bombardment by the enemy, which frequently blew in the breastwork, Lance Sergeant Belcher with a mere handful of men elects to remain and endeavor to hold his position after the troops near him have been withdrawn. By his skill and great gallantry he maintains his position during the day, opening rapid fire on the enemy, who are only 150 to 200 yards distant, whenever he sees them collecting for an attack. There is little doubt that the bold front shown by this NCO prevents the enemy breaking through on the Wieltje Road and averts an attack on the flank of one of our divisions". Holts Battlefield Guide 21st of May 1915 Awards 22nd May 1915 Composite to be formed 25th May 1915 Inspection & Presparations 29th October 1915 Football 26th Apr 1916 Trench Work   1st July 1916 Bombardment   2nd February 1918 Reorganisation If you can provide any additional information, please add it here. Want to know more about 5th Battalion, London Regiment? There are:5240 items tagged 5th Battalion, London 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 5th Battalion, London Regiment during the Great War 1914-1918. Aizlewood John H.. Rflmn. (d.10th Aug 1918) Bailey Reginald. Sgt. (d.15th Oct 1916) Baldock George William. Rfmn. (d.3rd May 1917) Brown Robert Archibald. Rflmn. Butt Frederick Claude. Rflmn. (d.6th July 1916) Charlecraft Harry John. Pte. Clarke Frederick Boulton. Rfm. (d.12th Apr 1917) Cooke Frederic Arthur. Pte. (d.9th Sept 1916) Densham Stephen Hugh. Rifleman (d.10 Dec 1917) Densham Stephen Hugh. Rflmn. (d.2nd Dec 1917) Drury Frank Herbert. Rflm. (d.24th June 1918) Franklin Cyril George. Rflmn. (d.21st August 1918) Fraser Aubrey. Rflmn. (d.9th July 1916) Harrington DCM Arthur George. RSM. (d.28th April 1915) Havard Frank G. Rfmn. (d.1st July 1916) Haynes Albert Edward . L/Cpl. (d.6th to 10th Sep 1916) Hilton Ernest. Pte. Howard Reginald Charles. Rfmn. Hurford Walter. L/Cpl. Jennings Charles Edward. Pte. (d.2nd July 1916) Joyce Alfred. Lefever Arthur George . Pte. Libby MM. Frank Thomas. Sgt. (d.19th April 1918) May Ernest George. Rfn. (d.16th or 19th Aug 1917) McPartlin Michael Joseph. Sgt. Meldrum James. Pte. (d.15th August 1917) Meldrum James. Pte. (d.15th August 1917) Mills Charles Clarence. Rflmn. (d.2nd Sep 1918) Rainsforth William. Pte. Smith Albert. Rflmn. (d.9th October 1916) Stamp Frank Ashley. Cpl. (d.10th Sep 1916) Terry Walter. L/Cpl. (d.1st July 1916) Tolhurst Frank Benjamin . Rfmn. (d.7th Nov 1917) Uden Leonard T. Rfn (d.3rd June 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 5th Battalion, London Regiment from other sources. The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website. 1st of September 2023 marks 24 years since the launch of the Wartime Memories Project. Thanks to everyone who has supported us over this time. Want to find out more about your relative's service? Want to know what life was like during the Great War? Our Library contains many many diary entries, personal letters and other documents, most transcribed into plain text. Looking for help with Family History Research?    Please see Family History FAQ's Please note: We are unable to provide individual research. Can you help? The free to access section of The Wartime Memories Project website is run by volunteers and funded by donations from our visitors. If the information here has been helpful or you have enjoyed reaching the stories please conside making a donation, no matter how small, would be much appreciated, annually we need to raise enough funds to pay for our web hosting or this site will vanish from the web. If you enjoy this site please consider making a donation. Announcements 18th April 2024     Please note we currently have a massive backlog of submitted material, our volunteers are working through this as quickly as possible and all names, stories and photos will be added to the site. If you have already submitted a story to the site and your UID reference number is higher than 263925 your submission is still in the queue, please do not resubmit. Wanted: Digital copies of Group photographs, Scrapbooks, Autograph books, photo albums, newspaper clippings, letters, postcards and ephemera relating to the Great War. If you have any unwanted photographs, documents or items from the First or Second World War, please do not destroy them. The Wartime Memories Project will give them a good home and ensure that they are used for educational purposes. Please get in touch for the postal address, do not sent them to our PO Box as packages are not accepted. We are now on Facebook. Like this page to receive our updates, add a comment or ask a question. If you have a general question please post it on our Facebook page. World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great battalion regiment artillery Did you know? We also have a section on World War Two. and a Timecapsule to preserve stories from other conflicts for future generations.   Sgt. Frank Thomas Libby MM. 5th Btn. London Regiment (d.19th April 1918) Frank Libby was posted to 1st/28th Bn. Artists' Rifles, he died of wounds on the 19th of April 1918, received at Mailly-Maillet on 2nd of April. He is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. The Military Medal was awarded for conspicuous Bravery at Passchendaele, on the 20th of September 1917. He was the son of John and Emily Harriet Libby, of Croydon, Surrey. s flynn Add to this record.   Rflmn. Stephen Hugh Densham 5th Btn. London Regiment (d.2nd Dec 1917) Stephen Densham died of wounds on the 10th of December 1917, received near Arras on 2nd of December. He was aged 21 and and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Lane Densham. Native of Croydon, Surrey. s flynn Add to this record.   Pte. Harry John Charlecraft 1/5th Btn. London Regiment Harry Charlecraft was a shoesmith and was attested 9 Nov 1914. He embarked at Southampton for Le Havre on 8 Dec 1914 and served in France until 13 Jun 1919, when he left Antwerp. He was demobbed 13 July 1919 in Woolwich. John Bayes Add to this record.   Pte. Charles Edward Jennings Machine Gun Corps (d.2nd July 1916) Pte. Charles Jennings was wounded on 1st July 1916 and died the following day. He was 18 years old and enlisted in October 1914, in the RAMC but was transferred in May 1915 to the 5th London Regiment, Machine Gun Section and was drafted to France in October. Prior to enlisting he was employed in the Weft warehouse at Messrs Mather's Peake's Place Mills in Halliwell, Bolton, Lancashire. Sharon Wingrove Add to this record.   Rfn Leonard T Uden 1st/5th Btn London Regiment (d.3rd June 1917) Leonard Uden served with the 1/5th Battalion, London Regiment in WW1. He died 3rd of June 1917. I have his death penny, and am researching him. Antony Add to this record.   Rfmn. Frank Benjamin Tolhurst 5th Btn. London Regiment (d.7th Nov 1917) Frank Tolhurst was my grandmother's elder brother. She adored him. He gave her his bike before he went away to war. He was 27 years old when he died on 7th of November 1917. Jill Elbourn Add to this record.   Sgt. Michael Joseph McPartlin D Coy, 1/5th Btn. London Regiment My uncle, Joe McPartlin, joined the Post Office Rifles, 1/8th London Regiment in August 1915 when he was 18. He arrived in France as a Sargent on 26th of June 1916 and then was transferred after the Somme, on 11th of July 1916 to 1/5th London Regiment. He was wounded, gassed and captured on 28th of March 1918 at Bird Post, just south of Oppy on the Gavrelle Rd, during the German Spring Offensive. He survived incarceration and wounds at Friedrichsfeld POW camp, However, weakened by his injuries, he died of TB in Edinburgh in May 1923. Sean McPartlin Add to this record.   Rflm. Frank Herbert Drury 1/5th Btn. London Regiment (d.24th June 1918) Frank Drury, born 31st of August 1899 in Acton, son of Arthur Miles and Theresa Drury. He initially enlisted with the 15th (Prince of Wales Own Civil Service Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment. Then transferred to the 1st/5th Battalion, London Regiment. He died of his wounds on 24th of June 1918 aged 18 years and is buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London. Caroline Hunt Add to this record.   L/Cpl. Albert Edward Haynes 1/5th (City of London) Btn. London Regiment (d.6th to 10th Sep 1916) Albert Haynes born on 17th March 1891 in Old Warden, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire was the son of William and Susan Haynes of 12 Lindsell Crescent, Town Field, Biggleswade. He attended Bedford Moderen school and on 6th September 1909 was a teacher at Holmead Middle School for Boys, Biggleswade. He enlisted in Hornsey and served with 1/5th (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment. He was killed in action between 6th and 10th September 1916 aged 24 years on the Somme. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. A pupil of Bedford Modern School 1905-09, he commemorated on the School War Memorial. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com Caroline Hunt Add to this record.   Pte. James Meldrum 1/5th Btn. London Regiment (d.15th August 1917) James Meldrum was a Music Hall Artiste. He had traveled overseas in 1908 as an artiste to Buenos Aires, Argentina with Henry Prescot (who was also his best man at wedding in 1915) Mr B Ben Merdani, Mr B Ben Ali, Mr Mahmed Amur and W.W. Collins all artistes. James was married to Daisy Joan Worsley, they married in Glasgow and she was also a Music Hall Artiste. Presumably they moved to London before the war for him to join a London Regiment, he gave his occupation as an actor. Sadly no I have photos. Commonwealth War Graves give birthplace as Granbourne, it should be Grantown on Spey. His widow lived in London. Marian Meldrum Add to this record.   Rfmn. Frank G Havard 1st/5th Btn. London Regiment (d.1st July 1916) Frank Havard died on the first day of the Battle of The Somme at Gommecourt. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. He left a widow and several young children one of whom was my nan. Never Forgotten Geoff Huntington Add to this record.   Pte. James Meldrum 5th (London Rifle Brigade) Btn. London Regiment (d.15th August 1917) James Meldrum was born 1890 in Grantown on Spey, son of John Meldrum (a baker) and Justina Grant (daughter of Peter Grant, Shoemaker, Grantown on Spey. He was a music hall artiste and married a music hall artiste Daisy May Worsley in Glasgow. He had spent some time in Buenos Aires as a Music Hall artiste, from 1908 to 1909. He lived in London and served in the 5th (City of London) Battalion of the London Rifle Brigade. He was listed as missing presumed killed in September 1917, his place of birth on the Commonwealth Graves site is noted as Granbourne, Scotland when it should be Grantown. He is remembered on the Menin Gate. His older brother John served with the 5th/6th Battalion, Scottish Rifles and Royal Flying Corps, he survived the war. Marian Meldrum Add to this record.   Rflmn. Robert Archibald Brown 5th Btn. London Regiment My grandfather Robert Brown was wounded on 10th of September 1916, his leg was amputated and he was discharged on 3rd of March 1917. Lilian Brown Mullane Add to this record.   Rflmn. John H. Aizlewood 5th Btn. London Regiment (d.10th Aug 1918) John Aizlewood served with 5th London Regiment. He was killed in action on 10th of August 1918. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial and on Rotherham Grammar School Roll of Honour. Add to this record.   Rflmn. Aubrey Fraser 5th Btn. London Regiment (d.9th July 1916) Aubrey Fraser was the son of Israel and Fanny Fraser of 1-4 Argyll Place, Regent Street, London. He was aged 18 when he died and is buried in the Deutz Jewish Cemetery in Germany. s flynn Add to this record.   Pte. Ernest Hilton 95th Coy. Machine Gun Corps Ernest Hilton was transferred into the Machine Gun Corps from the 5th Battalion, City of London Rifles, a Territorial regiment. He enlisted into the 5th battalion on 1st March 1915, agreeing at the same time to serve outside the United Kingdom. He transferred into the Machine Gun Corps on 26th July 1916, being posted to the BEF in France on 13th August that year. He joined the 95th Company, MGC on 21st August 1916 and remained in France until 11th October 1916, during which period the company saw action on the Somme as part of 95th Brigade, 5th Division. After a period at home, he was posted to the 224th Company MGC, BEF, France on 25th April 1917, remaining out there until 17th September 1917, during which period the company saw action around Arras as part of the 63rd (Naval) Division. He spent the remainder of the war in Britain, being posted to 15th Company, MGC on 14th March 1918 and posted Category Bii on 29th August 1918. A short attachment to 421 Agricultural Company, Labour Corps, Warrington then followed (26th September to 27th November 1918) before he was posted to 6th Reserve Battalion, MGC on 22nd February 1919. After transfer to the Army Z Reserve on 5th April 1919, he was discharged from the MGC on 20th April 1921, under paragraph 392 (xvia) of King's Regulations "being surplus to military requirements having suffered impairment since entry into the service." He was later awarded a pension, backdated to 5th April 1919, for Neurasthenia (a common diagnosis for "shell shock"), attributable to his war service, with the "degree of disablement" being given as 50%. He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Anthony Jordan Add to this record.   Pte. Frederic Arthur Cooke 5th Btn London Regiment (d.9th Sept 1916) Frederic Cooke died aged 19 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He also served in Gibraltar. A young man who was missed very severely by Katie, his sister, my grandmother, who wept so many times when I was a little girl when she told me of the loss of her lovely young brother. The family carries you in its heart Uncle Freddy. I talk of you to the next generations of our clan. Rest gently. Noelle Greenaway Add to this record.   Rflmn. Albert Smith 1st/5th Battalion London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade) (d.9th October 1916) Albert Smith was my paternal grandmother's elder brother, one of two who both died in the war. Albert died at the Somme, 9th October 1916 but with nothing left of him to bury he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. He was 26 years old. Liz Hill Add to this record.   L/Cpl. Walter "Sammy" Hurford 5th Btn. London Regiment L/Cpl Walter Hurford was my great uncle. Before the war he was living with his mother in Aberdeen Road, Highbury and working as a clerk in the city. He joined up in 1908 when the Territorials were set up and served in the battalion transport. A C Hurford Add to this record.   Pte. Arthur George Lefever 5th (City of London) Btn. London Regiment Arthur Lefever served with the 5th Btn London Regiment. Irene Moran Add to this record. Recomended Reading. Available at discounted prices.

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