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

2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment



   2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment were in Gibraltar when war broke out in August 1914, they returned to England, landing Southampton on the 3rd of September 1914. They joined 21st Brigade, 7th Division at Lyndhurst.in the New Forest in Hampshire. The Division landed at Zeebrugge on the 7th of October 1914, to assist in the defence of Antwerp, they arrived too late prevent the fall of the city and took up defensive positions at important bridges and junctions to aid in the retreat of the Belgian army. The 7th Division then became the first British Troops to entrench in front of Ypres, suffering extremely heavy losses in the The First Battle of Ypres. By February 1915 the Division had been reinforced to fighting strength and they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. On gthe 19th of December 1915 the transferred with 1st Brigade to 30th Division. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. On the 13th of May 1918 the 2nd Wiltshires transferred to 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division and were in action the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay.

30th Aug 1914 On the Move

31st Aug 1914 On the Move

1st Sep 1914 Captured

3rd Sep 1914 On the Move

4th Sep 1914 On the March

6th Sep 1914 Reinforcements

13th Sep 1914 Reinforcements

24th Sep 1914 Reinforcements

4th Oct 1914 On the March

4th Oct 1914 Orders Received

5th Oct 1914 On the Move

5th Oct 1914 On the Move

6th Oct 1914 On the Move

6th Oct 1914 On the Move

7th Oct 1914 On the Move

7th Oct 1914 2nd Wiltshires proceed overseas  2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment land at Zebrugge with 21st Brigade, 7th Division, BEF with orders to advance to assist in the defence of Antwerp.

7th Oct 1914 On the Move

8th Oct 1914 On the March

8th Oct 1914 On the Move

9th Oct 1914 On the March

9th Oct 1914 Orders

9th Oct 1914 Anxiety

10th Oct 1914 Outposts

10th Oct 1914 Roads Covered

10th Oct 1914 Withdrawal

11th Oct 1914 Troops and Refugees

11th Oct 1914 Hostile Forces

11th Oct 1914 Orders

12th Oct 1914 Guard Duty

12th Oct 1914 On the March

13th Oct 1914 On the Move

13th Oct 1914 Docks

13th Oct 1914 Enemy Closes

14th Oct 1914 On the March  location map

14th Oct 1914 On the March

14th Oct 1914 On the March  location map

15th Oct 1914 Digging in  location map

15th Oct 1914 Defensive Positions  location map

15th Oct 1914 Hostile Column  location map

16th Oct 1914 Enemy Patrol  location map

16th Oct 1914 On the March  location map

16th Oct 1914 Line Advanced  location map

17th Oct 1914 Enemy Patrol  location map

17th Oct 1914 Patrols  location map

17th Oct 1914 Enemy Active  location map

18th Oct 1914 Under Fire  location map

18th Oct 1914 Planning  location map

19th Oct 1914 Advance  location map

19th Oct 1914 Hard Fighting  location map

20th Oct 1914 Enemy Attack  location map

20th Oct 1914 Defensive Line

21st Oct 1914 Heavy Shelling  location map

21st Oct 1914 Hard Fighting

22nd Oct 1914 Enemy Attack  location map

22nd Oct 1914 Bombardment

23rd Oct 1914 Heavy Shelling  location map

23rd Oct 1914 Under Fire

24th Oct 1914 Territorials in action  During the German push along the Menin Road on the 24th of October 1914, a battalion of the 244th Reserve Infantry Regiment overwhelmed the 2nd Wiltshires in the eastern edge of Polygon Wood, causing heavy casualties. The 2nd Warwickshires and Northumberland Hussars were brought up to reinforce them and the Warwicks were successful clearing the enemy from the wood, an action regarded as the first serious engagement of a Territorial unit in the Great War.

Holts Battlefield Guide



24th Oct 1914 Enemy Attacks  location map

24th Oct 1914 Enemy Break Through

25th Oct 1914 Stragglers

25th Oct 1914 Enemy Break Through

26th Oct 1914 Reorganisation

26th Oct 1914 Forced Back

27th Oct 1914 Reorganisation

27th Oct 1914 Orders Received

28th Oct 1914 Artillery Active

29th Oct 1914 Hard Fighting

30th Oct 1914 Hard Fighting

31st Oct 1914 Hard Fighting  location map

2nd Nov 1914 Shelling

3rd Nov 1914 Orders  location map

4th Nov 1914 In Support  location map

5th Nov 1914 In Reserve  location map

6th Nov 1914 On the March  location map

7th Nov 1914 Refitting in Billets  location map

8th Nov 1914 Into Support  location map

9th Nov 1914 In Support

12th Nov 1914 Promotions  location map

13th Nov 1914 Promotions  location map

14th Nov 1914 Courts Martial  location map

17th Nov 1914 Reliefs  location map

20th Nov 1914 Relief  location map

23rd Nov 1914 Relief Completed  location map

25th Nov 1914 Reinforcements

26th Nov 1914 Reliefs  location map

27th Nov 1914 Vist  location map

28th Nov 1914 Reliefs  location map

30th Nov 1914 Holding the Line  location map

2nd Dec 1914 Reliefs  location map

5th Dec 1914 Baths  location map

6th Dec 1914 Reliefs  location map

11th Dec 1914 Reliefs  location map

12th Dec 1914 Orders  location map

13th Dec 1914 Reliefs  location map

14th Dec 1914 On the March  location map

15th Dec 1914 Route March  location map

16th Dec 1914 Change of Billets  location map

17th Dec 1914 Refugees  location map

18th Dec 1914 Attack  location map

19th Dec 1914 Reliefs

21st Dec 1914 Reliefs  location map

22nd Dec 1914 Shelling  location map

24th Dec 1914 Shelling  location map

25th Dec 1914 A Merry Christmas  location map

26th Dec 1914 Officers Meet  location map

27th Dec 1914 Reliefs  location map

30th Dec 1914 Poor Conditions  location map

31st Dec 1914 In the Trenches  location map

2nd Jan 1915 Reliefs  location map

3rd Jan 1915 Leave  location map

4th Jan 1915 Quiet  location map

6th Jan 1915 Terrible Conditions  location map

9th Jan 1915 Reliefs  location map

10th Jan 1915 In Billets  location map

12th Jan 1915 Very Wet  location map

13th Jan 1915 Flooding  location map

14th Jan 1915 Flooding  location map

15th Jan 1915 Reliefs  location map

16th Jan 1915 In Billets  location map

17th Jan 1915 Football League  location map

18th Jan 1915 Reliefs  location map

19th Jan 1915 Trench Work  location map

21st Jan 1915 Reliefs  location map

22nd Jan 1915 In Reserve  location map

23rd Jan 1915 In Reserve  location map

24th Jan 1915 Reliefs  location map

26th Jan 1915 Holding the Line  location map

27th Jan 1915 Leave  location map

28th Jan 1915 Football  location map

30th Jan 1915 Reliefs  location map

21st Sep 1915 Orders  location map

25th Sep 1915 Over the Top  location map

26th Sep 1915 Counter Attack  location map

1st of January 1916 Night-time Shelling

2nd of January 1916 Direct Hits  location map

13th of January 1916 5th Division in Reserve

1st Jul 1916 Manchester Pals in action

10th Aug 1916 Reliefs  18th Durhams HQ moved from Le Hamel to Essars

At 20.05. 18th Battalion DLI relieved 2nd Wilts, vacated billets & moved into trenches East of Festubert, B Co. & D Co. in Front Line right & left, C & A Co in Support Lines. Hants Battalion on right 16th West Yorks on left. 15th West Yorks & 1 Co. 11th East Yorks in Brigade Reserve. Wagon line moved into billets at Le Touret.

18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1



11th Aug 1916 Reliefs  2nd Wiltshires relieved Hamphshires on right of 18th Battalion, DLI in Trenches In Festubert Sector. Misty morning. Clear later & hot.

18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1



15th Aug 1916 Shelling  18th Durhams hold Trenches in Festubert Sector. Weather cool. Slight artillery activity 10.45 to 11.15am on both sides, some shells fell on our North Old British Line 1 to 2.15 Heavy showers.

1445. An arranged bombardment of Field Artillery 4.5 hours. Stokes Guns & machine Guns on Popes Nose opened. Hostile artillery replied quickly at first slightly on Front Line, then more heavily on Cover Trench & George Trench, next with effect on O.B.L. round Battalion HQ two bays & 2 dugouts being blown in. Casualties 3, this small number being due largely to removal of troops from trenches usually occupied to disused trenches in rear of successive lines. Damage was also done to Barnton No 11 Island parapet blown in in parts. Slight artillery both sides at night. 2nd East Yorks relieved 2nd Wilts on right on night of 15th-16th.

18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1



3rd Aug 1917 Heavy Rain  location map

4th Aug 1917 Enemy Active  location map

24th Oct 1917 Attack Made  location map

19th Apr 1918 Reliefs Complete  location map

20th Apr 1918 Quiet  location map

21st Apr 1918 Quieter  location map

22nd Apr 1918 Gas  location map

23rd Apr 1918 Gas Shells  location map

26th Apr 1918 Enemy Advance  location map

11th May 1918 At Rest

21st Sep 1918 Reliefs  location map

18th of October 1918 Relieved  location map

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





Want to know more about 2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment?


There are:5383 items tagged 2nd Battalion, Wiltshire 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, Wiltshire Regiment

during the Great War 1914-1918.

  • Ashman George William. Pte. (d.11th March 1917)
  • Baddley John James. Pte. (d.5th May 1916)
  • Baker Henry John. Pte. (d.4th December 1917)
  • Batchelor Ernest George. Pte. (d.15th June 1915)
  • Blackman Sidney Jacob. L?Cpl. (d.11th April 1917)
  • Burchell DCM Ernest. A/Sgt.
  • Butt Arthur George. Pte. (d.21st March 1918)
  • Carter Walter H. Pte. (d. 21st March 1918)
  • Choules Albert Henry. Pte. (d.21st March 1918)
  • Christopher George Thomas Anstey. L/Cpl. (d.14th September 1918)
  • Dale George. Sgt.
  • Dash Edward John. Pte. (d.25th Sep 1915)
  • Edwards David. Pte. (d.16th May 1915)
  • Ellis Arthur Charles. Pte. (d.26th May 1917)
  • Girling Horace Augustus. Pte. (d.3rd Aug 1917)
  • Houlton William Charles. Pte. (d.8th Jul 1916)
  • Hughes Stephen John Arthur. Pte. (d.23rd Jun 1917)
  • Johnson George William. Pte. (d.4th July 1917)
  • Jones George William. Pte. (d.29th July 1917)
  • Kemp William Dunstan. Sgt. (d.9th April 1917)
  • Kerr William Frederick. Pte. (d.21st March 1918)
  • Maslen T.. Pte. (d.9th April 1917)
  • McCall Archibald Ness. Pte
  • Millen William Granthan. Cpl. (d.9th Apr 1917)
  • Moore Thomas Henry. L/Cpl. (d.18th Oct 1916)
  • Morton Alfred Edward. Pte. (d.9th April 1917)
  • Morton Alfred Edward. Pte. (d.9th Apr 1917)
  • Norris John William. Pte. (d.9th April 1917)
  • Paget Edwin. Cpl. (d.24th October 1914)
  • Platt Walter Henry. Pte. (d.14th April 1917)
  • Reed William Henry. Pte. (d.9th April 1917)
  • Smith Alfred Richard George. Pte. (d.6th November 1918)
  • Waite William Robert. Pte. (d.19th May 1915)
  • Wootton Charles. 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, Wiltshire Regiment from other sources.


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  A/Sgt. Ernest Burchell DCM 2nd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment

263021_Ernest Burchell_6th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment_placque showing his DCM award

Ernest Burchell, who was my grandfather, joined the Wiltshire Yeomanry on 5th of September 1914 at Marlborough and was posted to Number 1 Section of the 2nd Troop of B Squadron. His superiors were 2nd Lt A. Irwin, Sgt. 58 BRC Palmer and Sgt. 643 Drewitt. The other ranks in his section were: Pte. 1215 Maisey, Pte. 1213 Mace, Pte. 1214 Mace, Pte. 1483 Palmer, Pte. 1877 Hillier, and Pte. 1205 Langfear. The B Squadron commander was Major CS Awdry. This Squadron remained in England for the first part of the war in reserve. They carried out manoeuvres in Ashdown Forest in West Sussex and eventually ended up at Aldershot, where they were part of the South Western Mounted Brigade of the 41st Division.

On 5th of May 1916, they sailed on the SS Rossetti from Southampton to Le Havre, France. Upon arrival in France, they didn't take up combat duties at the front, but they did carry out the important roles of intelligence-gathering, police duties, helping get supplies to the front, digging trenches, and assisting the Engineers with laying communication cables. Some of the Yeomanry (including Ernest) were employed as dispatch riders. During this period, Ernest had two horses that he was riding killed from shrapnel wounds and eventually went to using a motorbike to deliver the dispatches.

On 25th of September 1917, the Yeomanry disbanded and Ernest joined the 6th Wiltshire Regiment. He spent his first day with his new unit in the front line trenches at Spoilbank, south of Ypres. As is well known, the 6th Wiltshires were almost wiped out in the following spring. His section was deployed at Spanbroekmolen, where he and 10 other soldiers were cut off during the Allied retreat. This gallant action earned my granddad the DCM. During phase 2 of the German Spring Offensive of 1918, Ernest and the 6th Wiltshires were involved in heavy fighting during the battles of Bapaume, Bailleul, and Mount Kemmel. Then followed a period of rest and training, after which Ernest was transferred to the 2nd Wiltshires on 13 May 1918 as Pte. 203241. On 23rd of June 1918, he was awarded the DCM, and on 2nd of July 1918 he was promoted to Acting Sergeant with pay.

On 3rd of September 1918, during the 100 days march to victory, Ernest was wounded by a German sniper at Hinges. The family still has the bullet that narrowly missed his heart. He was shipped back to England and spent the remainder of the war recovering from his wound at the East Leeds War Hospital. He was demobilised on 1st of March 1919. He died in 1976, and I am writing a book about his early life.

<p>Ernest Burchell in 1918

Michael Paul Burchell






  Pte. William Robert Waite 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment (d.19th May 1915)

William Waite was the eldest son of Robert and Harriet Waite of Easton Royal, Wiltshire.

Robert Fuller






  Pte. Henry John Baker 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment (d.4th December 1917)

Jack Baker served with the 2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment.

S Dobson






  L/Cpl. Thomas Henry Moore 2nd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.18th Oct 1916)

Thomas Moore is a member of our East Pennard Band of Brothers, one of over 100 soldiers connected to the small village of East Pennard in Somerset, who went off to fight in World War One. As a boy he attended our village school, then worked as a farm labourer in the village after that. He saw active service in France from the 1st June 1915 and is believed to have died at some point during the Battle of the Somme, during the Battle of the Transloy Ridges.







  Pte. Ernest George Batchelor 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment (d.15th June 1915)

Ernest Batchelor served with the 2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment. I know very little, except the story that my Nan told me, that his mother, Aunt Flo, kept the peel of the last orange he ate before he left to go to war.

Sem Vine






  Sgt. George Dale 2nd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment

There are sketchy details of my grandfather George Dale. My father never talked about him. But I have a postcard sent to my grandmother (his wife whom he married in 1904) posted by a friend of my grandmother in Chippenham on 29th June 1913 and stamped received in Gibraltar 3rd of July 1913 addressed to 2nd Wiltshire Regiment, Naval Hospital Road, Gibraltar. By that time he had 3 sons and 1 daughter; my father being the youngest. Apart from that I think he was in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in Portobello (Catha Brugha) Barracks, Dublin in 1911.







  Pte. Alfred Edward Morton 2nd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.9th Apr 1917)

Alfred Morton was a gun maker in Birmingham before the war. He joined the 1st Battalion of the Warwickshire volunteers militia in 1907 and served for 5 years. In September 1914 he volunteered in Birmingham for the Kings Royal Rifle Corps and 5 weeks later he was demobbed due to lumbago. He immediately joined the Royal Field Artillery and served until he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment in October 1915.

He was killed on April 9th near St Martin sur Cojeul in the attack on the Hindenburg line and is buried at Wancourt British Cemetery. Alfred was my grandfather and my mother was born in October 1914 after Alfred had joined the army. We do not know if he ever saw his daughter.







  Pte. Charles Wootton 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment

Very little was known about my grandad Charles Wootton until I researched him. I do know he enlisted at Devizes, on the 14th of January 1913. After a period of training he embarked for France with the Battalion on 5th of October 1914, being part of the BEF or known best as the contemptible army.

He disembarked at Zeebrugge in Belgium on the 7th of October, the the Battalion who marched or in some cases travelled by bus to the Ypres. They left Ypres on the 15th October headed for the Menin Road where they rested for the night.

Next day they headed for the woods near Becelare, and after several days of bloody fighting, Charles was captured on the 24th October. He was in detained by German forces at the camp Gottingen and listed there by the Red Cross on the 13th January 1915,then listed again at Langensalza camp on the 23rd Feb 1917.

Eventually he was repatriated as a prisoner of war at Leith 31st of Dec 1918.

Charles went on to marry Kate and had six children, my Dad being one of them. He had a love for cricket & every Sunday as a child we'd see him in his chair at South Wilts Cricket Club in Salisbury. He never talked about the war, but my Auntie said he sat outside with old comrades playing old military tunes through their hands & guessing what they were and talking about old times. He passed away in 1969, a lovely man. He was awarded three medals, the 1914 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Howard Wootton






  Pte. Alfred Edward Morton 2nd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.9th April 1917)

Alfred Morton was born in Aston, Birmingham in 1886 and was a moulder in a brass factory before the war. Alfred had served for 5 years in the Warwickshire Volunteers since 1906 and when war broke out he immediately joined the Kings Royal Rifles, and later transferred to the R.F.A. In October 1915 he was transferred to the 2nd Wiltshires. He fought at Lens, Festubert and the Somme before being killed while attacking the Hindenburg line near St Martin sur Cojeul on 9th of April 1917. Alfred left behind a wife and a 3 year old daughter, who was my mother.

Charles Birch






  L?Cpl. Sidney Jacob Blackman 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment (d.11th April 1917)

Sidney Blackman joined up in September 1916. He took part in the Battle of Arras but wounded on the first day, 9th of April 1917. He was taken to a casualty clearing station where he succumbed to his wounds on 11th April. He was aged 27 years old.

Ann Griffin






  Pte. George William Johnson 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment (d.4th July 1917)

My Grandfather, George Johnson served with 2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment, he is buried at at Etaples sur Mer.

David King






  Cpl. Edwin Paget 2nd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.24th October 1914)

Edwin Paget was one of 5 brothers to serve in WW1. Fred, Colin, Ted and Lawrence all served with the Army and Gus served with the RFC and RAF. Only Fred and Lawrence survived. The other 3 brothers, Tom, Ernest and Roland were farmers and were not called to enroll. Ted was killed during a German onslaught on Ypres 24th of October 1914, he is remembered on the Menin Gate.

Clive






  L/Cpl. George Thomas Anstey Christopher 2nd Bn Wiltshire Regiment (d.14th September 1918)

The son of George and Kate Christopher of 2, Railway Terrace, Brockenhurst, Hants. Remembered at Chocques Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

Philip






  Pte. Arthur Charles Ellis 2nd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.26th May 1917)

Arthur Charles Ellis was the elder brother of my grandmother. When renovating my grandmother's house I discovered Arthur's photograph, medals, widows' penny and commemorative letter.

Ian Small






  Pte. Walter Henry Platt 2nd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.14th April 1917)

My grandfather, Walter Platt, died at the Battle of Arras on 14th April 1917. He left behind a wife and five children - four girls and the eldest a boy who was my father. He was taken to a field hospital but died of wounds. I am going to visit the Warlincourt Halte Cemetery in March of this year, 100 years almost from the date of his death to stand by his grave. The grandfather I never knew.

Valerie Maling






  Pte. Horace Augustus Girling 2nd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.3rd Aug 1917)

Horace Girling is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial.

David Girling






  Pte. George William Jones 2nd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.29th July 1917)

George William Jones served with the 2nd Btn Wiltshire Regiment. He died on 29th July 1917, aged 34. He is remembered with honour on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

His regiment was involved in the 3rd Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele), based in the small village of Hooge, 4 kilometres east of Ypres. The British reclaimed Hooge Chateau on 31st July 1917 and held Hooge for nine months.

George was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Jones of Banbury, Oxon, and husband of Annie Louise Jones (my paternal grandmother). George was father to five children.







  Pte. William Frederick Kerr 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment (d.21st March 1918)

William was 31 when he was killed in action, the son of William Henry and Amy Kerr, of Wellington House, High Street, Wroughton and husband of Esther formerly of No4, High Street, Wroughton, Wiltshire. He has no known grave but is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial Panel 64. He enlisted at Malmesbury.







  Pte. Stephen John Arthur Hughes 2nd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.23rd Jun 1917)

picture of grave

Stephen Hughes was my father's Uncle, he had a brother Harold (my Grandfather) and two sisters Winnie and Elsie. Stephen died on the 23rd June 1917, of shrapnel wounds to his left leg and elbow, just 3 days after writing home to his parents. In his letter he wrote asking about the weather in Swindon as it had been raining in torrents for 2 days. He said he would send his credits home only to be used for Harold to buy his tools.( He was a carpenter) and he asked his Mum to send him a bread pudding and a Khaki jacket, because the lice did not like those ones!! He closed with fondest love from your loving son.

Stephen is buried at a military Cemetery in Belgium. There is a picture taken by Winnie and Elsie when they visited in 1972. There are some family photos, grave, letter medal, birth and death certificate

<p>Stephen in uniform

<p>

<p>letter home

Alison Wheeler






  Sgt. William Dunstan Kemp 2nd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment (d.9th April 1917)

My great grandad William Dunstan Kemp was born in Bideford, Devon in 1889. He lived in Chilwell and fought in the Boer War and in the 2nd Battalion Wiltshire (Duke of Edinburgh) Regiment. He was a frontiers man on a horse who rode behind enemy lines collecting information. On 9th April 1917 he rode behind enemy lines at the Battle of Arras and was shot through the heart.

Kay Shepherd






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