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

8th (Post Office Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment



   8th (Post Office Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 130 Bunhill Road, Finsbury.

1st Feb 1915 Inspection

2nd Feb 1915 Exercise

3rd Feb 1915 Divisional Exercise

12th Feb 1915 Exercise

12th Feb 1915 Divisional Exercise

22nd Feb 1915 Exercise

22nd Feb 1915 Exercise

26th Feb 1915 Exercise

9th Mar 1915 Musketry

15th Mar 1915 On the Move

18th Mar 1915 On the Move

22nd Mar 1915 Inspection

23rd Mar 1915 Orders

23rd Mar 1915 Praise

24th Mar 1915 Instruction

24th March 1915 Telegram

25th Mar 1915 Instruction  location map

26th Mar 1915 Instruction

27th Mar 1915 Frost  location map

28th Mar 1915 No Wood

29th Mar 1915 Orders

30th Mar 1915 Orders Received

31st March 1915 Reliefs  location map

31st Mar 1915 Instruction

1st April 1915 Into billets

2nd April 1915 Reliefs

14th April 1915 Operational Order No. 2.

22nd April 1915 Operational Order No.3

23rd April 1915 Reliefs

23rd April 1915 Operational Order No.3

27th April 1915 Battalion losses

28th April 1915 Brigade Reserve

29th April 1915 Working party at night

30th April 1915 In Brigade Reserve

5th May 1915 Reliefs  location map

8th May 1915 Battle of Aubers Ridge  location map

31st of May 1915 Relief Orders

31st May 1915 Awards

1st of June 1915 No More Rum

1st June 1915 Defences

1st June 1915 Operational Order No.2.  location map

2nd June 1915 In the trenches

3rd June 1915 Officer rejoined

6th June 1915 Operational Order No.10.  location map

7th June 1915 Reliefs

8th June 1915 In Billets

12th June 1915 Reliefs

12th June 1915 Operational Order No.10.  location map

13th June 1915 At Rest

14th June 1915 Casualties '

15th June 1915 New M.O.

15th June 1915 Operational Order No.11.

15th June 1915 Reference Operational Order No.11.  location map

16th June 1915 Reliefs

17th June 1915 In trenches

20th June 1915 Reliefs

21st June 1915 Operational Order No.14.

22nd June 1915 Reliefs

23rd June 1915 In Billets

25th June 1915 Operational Order No.14.

26th June 1915 Operational Order No.14.

27th June 1915 Awards of the DCM.

27th June 1915 Operational Order Cancelled

27th June 1915 Operational Order No.17.  location map

28th June 1915 Operational Order No.24.  location map

28th June 1915 Attachment

29th June 1915 Battalion remained in Reserve

30th June 1915 Casualty Report

1st July 1915 Operational Order No.18.

5th July 1915 Operational Order No.19.

6th July 1915 Operational Order No.25.

6th July 1915 Operational Order No.20.

7th July 1915 In trenches at W1.

7th July 1915 Officer fitness

18th July 1915 Relieved 8th Battalion

29th July 1915 Operation Order No.21.

30th July 1915 Handing over statement

31st July 1915 Preliminary notice of relief.

1st August 1915 140th Infantry Brigade - Working parties

1st August 1915 Schedule of Reliefs

1st August 1915 Orders Received  location map

2nd August 1915 Reference Operational Order No.22.

24th August 1915 Preliminary Operations Order.  location map

24th August 1915 Orders  location map

25th August 1915 Reference Operational Order No.23

29th August 1915 Relieved 8th Battalion

1st September 1915 No Change

2nd September 1915 Reliefs

3rd September 1915 Battalion rested

5th September 1915 Move

6th September 1915 Working Parties

7th September 1915 On the March

8th September 1915 In Billets

13th September 1915 Change of Billets

14th September 1915 Working Parties

15th September 1915 Puits 14  location map

16th September 1915 Reliefs

17th September 1915 In Billets

19th September 1915 Move

20th September 1915 Digging in

22nd September 1915 Move

23rd September 1915 Move

24th September 1915 Assault Planned  location map

25th September 1915 Gas attack

25th September 1915 Successful assault  location map

26th September 1915 Heavy fighting on the Left flank

27th September 1915 In German trenches.

27th September 1915 Consolidation  location map

28th September 1915 In the German trenches

29th September 1915 Battalion still in position.

30th September 1915 Reliefs after dark

30th September 1915 Extracts from Telephone Book  location map

1st October 1915 Move

2nd October 1915 Battalion at rest.

5th November 1915 Locations  location map

6th October 1915 On the Move

8th October 1915 Operational Order 31.  location map

8th October 1915 Inspection

9th October 1915 In Billets

11th October 1915 Operational Order 31.  location map

12th October 1915 Left billets

12th October 1915 Pistols illuminating 1 1/2"

13th October 1915 Old British Front Line

13th October 1915 Grenadier equipment will be issued

13th October 1915 1st Army No. 401(G).

13th October 1915 Orders Received

13th October 1915 Battalion moved

14th October 1915 Old German Front Line  location map

14th October 1915 Reliefs  location map

14th October 1915 Divisional Grenadier School

15th October 1915 In trenches

15th October 1915 In trenches

16th October 1915 Battalion remained in trenches.

16th October 1915 Battalion remained in trenches.

17th October 1915 Reliefs  location map

17th October 1915 Reliefs  location map

18th October 1915 Relieved 8th Battalion

18th October 1915 In Support Line.

18th October 1915 I Support Line.

19th October 1915 Sharp Shooters.

20th October 1915 Signalling System

21st October 1915 140th Infantry Brigade. Operational Order No.34.  location map

21st October 1915 Reliefs

21st October 1915 Operational Order No.34.  location map

21st October 1915 Reliefs

22nd October 1915 In Front Line trenches.

22nd October 1915 Battalion remained in Front Line

23rd October 1915 Reliefs

23rd October 1915 Pioneers

23rd October 1915 Reliefs

24th October 1915 Inter Company Relief

24th October 1915 In Billets

26th October 1915 140th Infantry Brigade. Operational Order No.36.  location map

26th October 1915  Operational Order No.36.  location map

27th October 1915 British Uniform worn by French Civilians

28th October 1915 Inspection by the King

28th October 1915 Inspection by the King

28th October 1915 Handcarts

29th October 1915 140th Infantry Brigade. Operational Order No.36.  location map

29th October 1915 In Billets

29th October 1915 140th Infantry Brigade. Operational Order No.36.  location map

29th October 1915 Orders

30th October 1915 Reliefs  location map

30th October 1915 Relievfs  location map

31st October 1915 Distribution End of October 1915

31st October 1915 In trenches.

31st October 1915 In trenches.

31st October 1915 Two escaped Russian soldiers reported

1st November 1915 Orders

1st November 1915 Wounded German prisoner.

1st November 1915 

1st November 1915 Heavily shelled.

2nd November 1915 Query

2nd November 1915 Orders

2nd November 1915 Equivalent to our 'Very' pistol

2nd November 1915 Casualties

3rd November 1915 Trench Boards

3rd November 1915 Moved to Old German Front Line.

4th November 1915 A supply of forms

3rd November 1915 4th Corps. No.5120A.

4th November 1915 Remained in Old German Front Line.

5th November 1915 Reliefs

6th November 1915 Remained in trenches.

7th November 1915 Operation Order No.40.

7th November 1915 Casualties :- 1 O.R. Wounded.

8th November 1915 Road Gangs. 'A' Section.  location map

8th November 1915 Road gangs

8th November 1915 Battalion H.Q. is in Loos

9th November 1915 Men suffering from frost bite

9th November 1915 Box to carry dinners

9th November 1915 In Support Line.

10th November 1915 Bombardments  location map

11th November 1915 Orders  location map

11th November 1915 Battalion H.Q. heavily shelled.

12th November 1915 Instructions for Entrainment

12th November 1915 Bombardments   location map

12th November 1915 Handcarts

12th November 1915 Remained in trenches.

13th November 1915 Defence scheme.  location map

13th November 1915 Operational Order No.42.  location map

13th November 1915 Operational Order 43.  location map

13th November 1915 Schedule of Movement.

13th November 1915 Casualties :- 2 O.R. Wounded.

13th November 1915 Route cancelled  location map

14th November 1915 Training while Brigade is in Rest Billets

14th November 1915 Reliefs

15th November 1915 Battalion left Mazingarbe

16th November 1915 In billets at Lillers.

18th November 1915 Issue of Rice in lieu of biscuits

18th November 1915 Reporting flashes of Enemy gun fire

19th November 1915 Draft of 61 O.R. joined

25th November 1915 Ref. O.O.6.

1st December 1915 Remained in billets in Lillers.

13th December 1915 Operational Order No.44.  location map

13th December 1915 Schedule of Billeting  location map

15th December 1915 47th Division relieving 15th Division

16th December 1915 140th Infantry Brigade will relieve the 141st Infantry Brigade

16th December 1915 Remained in billets in Vaudricourt.

17th December 1915 Reference this Office B.M./471B

17th December 1915 Operational Order No.45.  location map

17th December 1915 Lewis Gun from Divisional School

18th December 1915 Battalion transport will move to Noyelles Les Vermelles  location map

19th December 1915 In to Brigade Reserve

20th December 1915 Battalion remained in Noyelles Les Vermelles.

21st December 1915 Unauthorised truce

23rd December 1915 Mine will explode at 0700 hours tomorrow

23rd December 1915 Brigade Operational Order No.46.  location map

23rd December 1915 Reliefs

24th December 1915 Battalion remained in Front Line

26th December 1915 Operational Order No. 47.

27th Dec 1915 Sad Duty

27th December 1915 Divisional Reserve

28th December 1915 Lt. Chatterton Letter

28th December 1915 Battalion remained in Labourse.

30th December 1915 140th Brigade Operational Order No. 47.

31st December 1915 Reliefs

15th January 1916 Relieved 1 Coy. 8th Battalion

29th January 1916 Reliefs

5th February 1916 Relieved 17th ( Poplar and Stepney Rifles ) Battalion

6th February 1916 Cleaning trenches and billets under R.E.

8th March 1916 Flammenwerfer demonstration

19th of May 1916  A Relief

23rd May 1916 Operations

21st June 1916 Operational Order No.84.  location map

23rd June 1916 Relief of 8th London Regt. complete

18th September 1916 Battalion in new positions

13th November 1916 Operational Order No.118

18th November 1916 Dump shelled  location map

18th November 1916 Operational Order No.119  location map

23rd November 1916 Reliefs

12th January 1917 Operational Order 131

12th January 1917 Relief Table

13th January 1917 Practically no Artillery or T.M. activity.

17th January 1917 Operational Orders

17th January 1917 Schedule.

18th January 1917 Reliefs

22nd January 1917 Registration & Reliefs  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Ypres: The Brigade checked zero lines and registrations. A test SOS. was received by the Batteries of the Brigade and the times averaged two minutes. Lt G Lyon Smith left for England on Jan 21st 1917 to continue his medical studies. 2/Lt M O Haskell RFA(SR) becomes acting Adjutant. On the night of 22/23 January the 6th Battalion (City of London Rifles) relieved 7th Battalion and 15th Battalion (Civil Service Rifles) relieved 8th Battalion, (all units in 47th Division).

War Diaries



6th February 1917 Enemies batteries fired several shells in the vicinity of Bluff.  location map

18th February 1917 Small Enemy raiding party active

27th Feb 1917 Reliefs  location map

14th March 1917 Operational Order 150.

30th March 1917 Battalion  in Support

15th April 1917 Artillery quiet due to incessant rain.

30th May 1917 Appendix "I" - Operational Order No. 9.  location map

2nd June 1917 Instructions for attack  location map

3rd June 1917 Operational Order 161.  location map

4th June 1917 Instructions  location map

7th June 1917 At 0030 hours night of 6th - 7th the Battalion moved on to tapes laid out behind our Front Line  location map

11th June 1917 Hostile Shelling

10th August 1917 Quiet day.

28th August 1917 Long range hostile gun fires a few shells

25th October 1917 8th London Regt. on our Left Front raided the Enemy outpost

2nd December 1917 Attack by 2 Companies to retake ground lost by 6th London Regt.

2nd Dec 1917 21st Londons at Bourlon Wood  At 1 a.m. Relief of 15th Lon Regt by 21st Londons is complete. Dispositions. D& A Coys in Front line, opposite Bourlon. C Coy in immediate support. B Coy in reserve near Battalion Hqrs at SW corner of Bourlon Wood.

8.10 p.m. 7th & 8th Lon Regt attack to straighten out Front Line immediately W. of Bourlon Wood. Our L.G. cooperate on R. flank of the attack. Capt. A.L. Strickland sends one platoon from D Coy to assist in the consolidation of captured line. 8th Lon Regt wounded & prisoners wounded & unwounded, passed through Battalion Hqrs & R.A.P.

War Diary 21 Londons



2nd Dec 1917 Attack Made  location map

3rd Dec 1917 21st Londons assist 8th Londons  1 a.m. on the 3rd December 21st London regiment supply Stretcher-bearers, SAA & tools to 8th London Battalion to help in evacuation of wounded & consolidation. 21st Londons C.O. issues orders for new dispositions to strengthen the left flank, at the request of O.C. 8th Battalion.

1.45 a.m. These orders cancelled on receipt of orders from 142 Inf Brigade to take over more Front Line on the Right flank in relief of a Company of 22nd Battalion.

Heavy enemy shelling, Gas & H.E. around Battalion Hqrs in the evening. Rations obtained by limber during barrage fire.

War Diary 21 Londons



7th December 1917 Battalion moved forward to Front position West of The Squires

2nd February 1918 Reorganisation

8th Aug 1918 Captured Weapons  
THE HUNDRED DAYS OFFENSIVE, AUGUST-NOVEMBER 1918 THE HUNDRED DAYS OFFENSIVE, AUGUST-NOVEMBER 1918

© IWM (Q 6918)                                               © IWM (Q 6919)

Officers of the 8th and 10th Battalions, London Regiment, 58th Division conferring by a captured German mortar near Malard Wood during the Battle of Amiens.



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





Want to know more about 8th (Post Office Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment?


There are:5509 items tagged 8th (Post Office Rifles) 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

8th (Post Office Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment

during the Great War 1914-1918.

  • Andress W.. Rfm. (d.7th Jun 1917)
  • Appleby John. Rfn. (d.2nd Dec 1917)
  • Appleyard William John Victor. Rflmn. (d.8th June 1917)
  • Appleyard William John. Pte. (d.8th June 1917)
  • Archer Frank McDonald. Rflmn. (d.24th May 1915)
  • Aronow Harry. Rfm. (d.7th Jun 1917)
  • Aston William. Sjt. (d.7th Jun 1917)
  • Bidewell John. Pte. (d.19th April 1918)
  • Birt Daniel Francis. Pte.
  • Blackwell Arthur Frederick. Rfmn. (d.22nd June 1917)
  • Boss OBE, MC, MID. Thomas Harry. Capt.
  • Brown Frederick William. Rfmn.
  • Cook William Alfred. Sgt. (d.16th June 1917)
  • Crowle Stanley Howard. Rflm. (d.22nd April 1917)
  • Finn Daniel Patrick. Rflmn. (d.30th April 1918)
  • Fleetwood Frank. Rflmn. (d.26th Aug 1916)
  • Gatland Edward. Dvr.
  • Green Henry W.. Sgt. (d.21st May 1916)
  • Gregory William J. Rfm. (d.7th Jul 1917)
  • Hart Sidney Harry. Rflmn. (d.8th Jun 1917)
  • Humphries George Ernest. Pte.
  • Jones H. M.. Sgt. (d.16th October 1918)
  • Knight Charles William. Pte.
  • Lowman Walter. L/Cpl (d.23rd March 1918)
  • McDougall Robert. L/Cpl. (d.10th Sep 1917)
  • McKone Charles Alfred. Pte. (d.2nd Dec 1917)
  • McPartlin Michael Joseph. Sgt.
  • Mills Charles Clarence. Rflmn. (d.2nd Sep 1918)
  • Moulton Ernest. Pte.
  • Moulton Ernest. Rfmn.
  • Pattinson MC. Reginald Bowman. Pte.
  • Ramsey Arthur.
  • Reid Ernest Robert . Rifleman. (d.7th Nov 1916)
  • Riddiford Wallis Bristow. Pte. (d.26th Aug 1917)
  • Rodgers Henry. Pte. (d.27th June 1915)
  • Smith Jack.
  • Smith Thomas Edward. 2nd Lt. (d.5th September 1918)
  • Spong Alfred Henry. Rfm. (d.19th Nov 1916)
  • Thursby James Randall . Cpl. (d.10th August 1918)
  • Walters Ernest Charles. Rflmn. (d.15th September 1916)
  • Webb Charles William. Rflmn. (d.7th Oct 1916)
  • Wilson Henry Charles. Rfmn. (d.19th Oct 1918)
  • Withers Robert John. Pte.
  • Worz Alfred Jacob. Rfm. (d.1st Nov 1915)
  • Yardley Robert John Henry. Rfm.

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 (Post Office Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment from other sources.


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  2nd Lt. Thomas Edward Smith 8th Btn. (Post Office Rifles) London Regiment (d.5th September 1918)

Thomas Edward Smith was killed in action on 5th September 1918, aged 21 and is buried in the Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension in France. He was the son of William Henry and Judith Ellen Smith, of 290, Lizzie St., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

From the Winnipeg Tribune:

On First Anniversary Brings Details of Son’s Death a Letter from Batman Tells How Winnipeg Officer Met Hero’s End

While giving one of his boy’s who was badly wounded a drink Lieut. T. E. Smith, son of William Smith 290 Montifiore Str., was killed by a German sniper, at Peronne Sept 5, 1918 - two months before the armistice ended the war. A week ago on the first anniversary of his son’s death. Mr. Smith received a letter from Lieut. F. C. Gozette giving details in connection with his death. Lieut. Gozette was with Lieut. Smith when the latter was shot.

Lieut. Smith had visited shell hole after shell hole to see that his boy’s were comfortable. While uncorking his bottle to give a wounded man a drink, he was shot through the neck by a sniper.

"I suppose you had official notice as to how you son died, but I think it would lessen your grief to learn the death of a man, a hero, such as if had he been giving the choice, possibly he would have wished. I was your son’s batman from the time he joined the Imperial unit until his death. He was absolutely loved by his platoon and he was like an older brother to me than a officer. It was during the Somme advance that he was hit. We attacked the last day of August Canal du Nord in front of Moislain near Peronne, and Mr. Smith was in command of our company, all of our other officers having been killed or wounded the day before. While lying in the shell hole after our objective he decided to go around our position to see if all 'his boys' were comfortable. Making our way from shell hole to shell hole cheering the lads as we went, he came across one of his platoon badly wounded. It was while giving the poor lad a drink that a German sniper shot him through the neck. His death was mercifully instantaneous. Two or three of us got the sniper, but unfortunately that did not give us back our officer and pal. His death caused a lot of casualties to the Germans as it made the platoon mad for revenge. I hope you got his bible as he asked me to send it to you if anything happened to him. With the deepest sympathy in your loss of your son by one who regarded as a dear pal." I am sincerely, Lieut. F. C. Gozzet.

s flynn






  Pte. Robert John Withers 1/8th Btn. London Regiment

he wrote a diary and in the back of vol 1 a cutting about lone tree crater

John Hardy






  Rfmn. Ernest Moulton 8th Btn. London Regiment

Ernest Moulton served with the 8th London Regiment.







  Rfmn. Henry Charles Wilson 8th (Post Office Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.19th Oct 1918)

Harry Wilson was my grandmother's brother. She told me that he had been killed by a sniper after the liberation of Lille, although he is buried at Auberchicourt which was a dressing station at the time, and some distance from Lille.

My understanding is that Harry joined up early in the war and came home on leave twice. When he returned to the front the second time, he was convinced that he was going to die, and put his affairs in order. I suspect that by 1918 few people believed that they could continue to survive.

David Mears






  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






  Cpl. James Randall Thursby 8th (P.O.Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.10th August 1918)

James Thursby was born in Acton in 1887, Son of John and Matilda Thursby of 7 Grove Place, Acton, London. The 1911 census shows him living with his family in Grove Place and he was employed as a postman.

He served with the 8th (Post Office Rifles) Battalion London Regiment, service no. 370574. He was killed on the 10th of August 1918 aged 31 years and is buried in Dive Copse British Cemetery near Sailly-le-Sec. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

Caroline Hunt






  Sgt. H. M. Jones 8th Bn. London Regiment (Post Office Rifles) (d.16th October 1918)

Serjeant Jones att the Nigeria Regiment, W.A.F.F. He is buried in the Baro Cemetery, Nigeria.

S flynn






  Rflmn. William John Victor Appleyard 1/8th Btn. D Coy. London Regiment (d.8th June 1917)

William Appleyard was the only child of John William and Caroline Appleyard of 40 Wandsworth Bridge Road, Fulham. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.

M. O'Connor






  Pte. Charles William Knight 8th (Post Office Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

Charles Knight signed up in 1913 and when the war broke out in 1914 was eager to serve his country. My Grandfather, his much younger brother, remembers cheering and watching the soldiers marching through London to the station. Charlie was injured on the first day of the Battle of Loos with a gunshot wound to the head, however, he bounced back and was in service again without being sent home, a lucky shot I suppose as his regiment suffered heavy losses that day to be hit in the head and get up again was typical of him! He continued fighting until he was injured again during the Battle of the Somme at High Wood when he received a gunshot wound to the groin on the 15th of September 1916. He was sent home on the 22nd of September 1916 where he made a recovery and married his sweetheart, Evelyn.

My grandfather could never understand why Charles and Evie hadn't had children despite knowing she longed for them, it would appear that his now released war records show that although he was one of the lucky ones that escaped with his life, he did not return unscathed. He was 17 when he signed up for service and by the age of 20 had suffered two significant injuries, the last severe enough to end his service with two years of the war still to run. I can only feel immensely proud of him and of my grandfather who went on to also be severely injured in WW2 when he served as a Desert Rat.

Amanda Wilkinson






  Pte. Reginald Bowman Pattinson MC. 23rd Btn. Royal Fusiliers

London Gazette Supplement 7th November 1918

Reginald Bowman Pattinson was born on 5th July 1892 in Penarth, Glamorganshire. He was the son of Richard and Jane Pattinson. Reginald worked as a bank clerk before the war and lived in Wanstead, Essex. He was unmarried on the 1911 census.

He joined the 23rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers as a private. He was in theatre from 23rd July 1916 to 11th June 1917. On 27th of November 1917 he was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant (from Officer Cadet). [London Gazette 21st December 1917] Reginald was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry and good leadership. He was now a 2nd Lt serving with the 8th Battalion, London Regiment.

On 28th May 1919 he was promoted to Lieutenant while serving with 8th Battalion, London Regiment [London Gazette Supplement 6th June 1919]. It is assumed that they were demobilised about this time, but the date has not been confirmed. On 23rd January 1923 he transferred from 8th to 7th Battalion, London Regiment TA. [London Gazette 26th January 1923] On 15th December 1935 he transferred from 7th Battalion City of London Regiment TA Reserve to the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers, retaining rank and seniority [London Gazette 14th January 1936]. On 4th June 1941 he resigned his commission, retaining rank (Reg no 42824) [London Gazette 3rd June 1941]

After the end of WW1, he married and resumed his banking career. He died on 20th May 1970.

Bill Swift






  Rflm. Stanley Howard Crowle 1st/8th (P.O. Rifles) Btn. 3 Coy. London Regiment (d.22nd April 1917)

Stanley Crowle was one of my paternal grandfather's brothers and my late father was named after him. From what I can remember my grandfather loved his elder brother dearly but his war service and death were seldom mentioned apart from the fact that he was buried in a war cemetery somewhere in France or Belgium. A few years ago and due mainly to records being computerised, I was able to find out more about this young man, a distant relative, and via the internet have been able to see a photo of his grave. Stanley died of gunshot wounds to his abdomen and left arm, in no.3 Canadian CCS (Aveluy) at the age of 21. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.

Jane Booth






   Jack Smith 8th (Post Office Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

I don't know much about my grandfather, Jack Smith, as he died before I was born. My uncle told me that he was a post man who joined the Post Office Rifles during WW1. He must have lied about his age to enlist as he was born in 1898/99. Luckily he survived the war.

Keith Smith






  Rflmn. Sidney Harry Hart 8th (Post Office Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.8th Jun 1917)

Sidney Hart is my grandfather. My father was only 3 when his father was killed and, as far as I can tell, there are no photographs of him. My brother and I have visited his grave and plan to attend on the 100th anniversary this June.

Linda Hart Corbett






  Pte. George Ernest Humphries 8th (Post Office Rifles) Btn. London Regiment

George Humphries was gassed at some point during his service in France and for years after his return, would suddenly pull his sleeves up and scratch furiously at his skin on his forearms, trying to relieve the burning sensation that still troubled him. He returned to work in the Post Office in Wandsworth after the war and worked there until he retired in 1951. He died in 1962.

David Humphries






  Rflmn. Frank McDonald Archer 8th (Post Office Rifles) Battalion London Regiment (d.24th May 1915)

Frank Archer was my grandmother's cousin. He was his mother's only child and his father committed suicide when he was 7. Frank was then admitted to the Alexandra Orphanage. He joined the GPO as an internal messenger in 1911, aged 14, based in Goodmayes, East London. He is remembered by the Royal Alexandra and Albert School

Sarah Gibson






  Dvr. Edward Gatland 8th Btn. London Regiment

We have just begun researching our Great Grandad, Edward Gatland, who was a member of the Royal Mail before and after WW1. He married just before the War and joined the RFA in Nov 1914 and later transferred to the 8th London Regiment. We have many silk embroidered postcards that he sent home during his time away.

Judith Taylor






  Rflmn. Charles William Webb 2nd/8th (Post Office Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.7th Oct 1916)

Charles William Webb was the eldest son of William John and Mary Ann Webb, and was born on 5th February 1896 in Staines, Middlesex. He was the eldest of seven children. He never married. He was posted into the Post Office Rifles on 1st September 1916. He was killed in action at a skirmish at the Butte de Warlencourt in France on 7th October 1916. Family stories and recently found records show that his body was only identified due to a partially found identification tag which luckily stated his service number and surname.

Jodie Webb






  Rifleman. Ernest Robert Reid 8th (Post Office Rifles) Btn. London Regiment (d.7th Nov 1916)

Whilst researching my Irish ancestry I discovered that my gran's uncle Robert Reid, died on service during WW1. He was a post office manager in Londonderry and is buried in Wiltshire. He was forty three I believe and I guess must have volunteered. He was in the postal service from a young age and worked his way to manager, this was quite a different career to the others in the family who were shirt factory specialists and managers. As yet we do not know if he was wounded and taken to England where he died in hospital or had contracted an illness. He is buried in St John's churchyard Sutton Veny in Wiltshire. We know the date of death but not when his injury/illness occurred and it would be wonderful to find out. does anyone know how to find this out?

Alison Allen






  Sgt. Henry W. Green 1/8th (Post Office Rifles) Btn. F Coy. London Regiment (d.21st May 1916)

Harry Green was a volunteer in the TA and I have a postcard sent to him at Lark Hill Camp during territorial training in August 1909, from Alice. He is recorded as being killed on the 21st of May 1916 by the CWGC.

Russ Walker






  Rflmn. Daniel Patrick Finn 1/8th Btn. London Regiment (d.30th April 1918)

Daniel Finn was my Great Grand Father, his wife was Elizabeth and their children were Mary, Daniel and Augustine I would love a photo if anyone has one.

Cliodhna






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