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

2nd Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment



   At the outbreak of war in August 1914 the 2nd Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment were in Jhansi, India. They returned home, arriving in England on the 22nd of October and joined the 25th Brigade in Winchester for a short period of training before proceeding to France to reinforce the BEF, landing at Le Havre on the 5th of November 1914. They served on the Western Front throughout the conflict. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

19th Sep 1914 Divisional HQ Opens

20th Sep 1914 On the Move

2nd Oct 1914 Concentration

22nd Oct 1914 2nd Berkshires arrive home  2nd Battalion Berkshire Regiment arrived in England from Jhansi, India. They moved to Hursley Park to join 25th Brigade in 8th Division.

27th Oct 1914 Exercise

29th Oct 1914 Route March

30th Oct 1914 Concentration Complete

31st Oct 1914 Mud

4th Nov 1914 On the Move

5th Nov 1914 On the Move

6th Nov 1914 Delays

7th Nov 1914 Delays

8th Nov 1914 On the Move  location map

9th Nov 1914 Into Billets  location map

18th Nov 1914 13th London Relieve 2nd Berkshires

20th Dec 1914 Relief  location map

30th Dec 1914 Message

25th Sep 1915 In Action

25th Sep 1915 In Action

25th Sep 1915 In Action

25th Sep 1915 In Action

19th Jan 1916 Reorganisation  location map

1st Jul 1916 In Action  location map

1st Jul 1916 In Action  location map

2nd Jul 1916 On the March  location map

3rd Jul 1916 On the Move

4th Jul 1916 On the March

5th Jul 1916 In Billets

6th Jul 1916 In Billets

7th Jul 1916 On the March

8th Jul 1916 Move

9th Jul 1916 In Billets

10th Jul 1916 In Billets

11th Jul 1916 Inspection

11th Jul 1916 In Billets

12th Jul 1916 In Billets

13th Jul 1916 In Billets

14th Jul 1916 On the March  location map

15th Jul 1916 In Billets  location map

16th Jul 1916 In Billets  location map

17th Jul 1916 In Billets  location map

18th Jul 1916 Award  location map

19th Jul 1916 In Billets  location map

20th Jul 1916 In Billets  location map

21st Jul 1916 On the March  location map

22nd Jul 1916 Reliefs

23rd Jul 1916 Holding the Line

24th Jul 1916 Reinforcements

25th Jul 1916 Reinforcements

26th Jul 1916 Reliefs

27th Jul 1916 In Reserve

28th Jul 1916 In Reserve

29th Jul 1916 In Reserve

30th Jul 1916 Reliefs

31st Jul 1916 In the Fron Line

27th Jan 1917 Reliefs

21st of May 1917 Quiet Night  location map

24th of May 1917  Relief Completed  location map

1st Jul 1917 Working Parties

2nd Jul 1917 Working Parties

3rd Jul 1917 Working Parties

4th Jul 1917 Working Parties

5th Jul 1917 Reliefs  location map

6th Jul 1917 Reliefs  location map

7th Jul 1917 Holding the Line  location map

8th Jul 1917 Holding the Line  location map

9th Jul 1917 Reliefs  location map

10th Jul 1917 Trench Raid

10th Jul 1917 Trench Raid  location map

11th Jul 1917 On the Move

12th Jul 1917 Training

13th Jul 1917 Training

14th Jul 1917 Training

19th Jul 1917 On the Move

20th Jul 1917 Training

21st Jul 1917 Training

22nd Jul 1917 Training

23rd Jul 1917 Training

24th Jul 1917 On the Move  location map

27th Jul 1917 In Camp  location map

28th Jul 1917 On the Move

29th Jul 1917 On the Move

30th Jul 1917 On the March

31st Jul 1917 In Action  location map

31st Jul 1917 In Action  location map

31st Jul 1917 In Action

1st Aug 1917 Reliefs

2nd Aug 1917 Message of Congratulation  location map

3rd Aug 1917 Reinforcements

5th Aug 1917 On the Move

6th Aug 1917 Training  location map

13th Aug 1917 On the Move

14th Aug 1917 In the Line

15th Aug 1917 Assembly

16th Aug 1917 Attack Made

17th Aug 1917 In Action

17th Aug 1917 In Reserve

18th Aug 1917 In Reserve

19th Aug 1917 On the Move

20th Aug 1917 Training

21st Aug 1917 Inspection

22nd Aug 1917 Training

23rd Aug 1917 Training

27th Aug 1917 On the Move  location map

28th Aug 1917 In Reserve  location map

31st Aug 1917 In Reserve

31st Aug 1917 In Reserve  location map

1st Sep 1917 In Reserve  location map

2nd Sep 1917 In Reserve  location map

4th Sep 1917 In Reserve  location map

11th Sep 1917 Reliefs  location map

15th Sep 1917 In the Trenches  location map

16th Sep 1917 In the Trenches  location map

17th Sep 1917 Relief Complete  location map

19th Sep 1917 Reliefs  location map

20th Sep 1917 Reorganisation

23rd Sep 1917 Brigade Reserve

24th Sep 1917 In Reserve

27th Sep 1917 Reliefs  location map

28th Sep 1917 In Camp  location map

30th Sep 1917 In Reserve

1st Oct 1917 Working Parties  location map

11th Oct 1917 Working Parties  location map

13th Oct 1917 Reliefs  location map

14th Oct 1917 Reliefs  location map

15th Oct 1917 In the Trenches  location map

17th Oct 1917 In the Trenches  location map

18th Oct 1917 In the Trenches  location map

19th Oct 1917 In the Trenches  location map

20th Oct 1917 Trench Raid  location map

21st Oct 1917 Relief Completed  location map

22nd Oct 1917 In Support  location map

23rd Oct 1917 Reinforcements  location map

26th Oct 1917 In Support  location map

29th Oct 1917 Reliefs  location map

30th Oct 1917 Working Parties  location map

31st Oct 1917 On the Move  location map

12th Nov 1917 On the Move  location map

13th Nov 1917 Training  location map

16th Nov 1917 On the Move  location map

16th Nov 1917 On the Move

18th Nov 1917 In Support

19th Nov 1917 Reliefs

22nd Nov 1917 In Camp

23rd Nov 1917 New CO

25th Nov 1917 In Camp

27th Nov 1917 In Camp

29th Nov 1917 On the Move  location map

30th Nov 1917 Reliefs

1st Dec 1917 Holding the Line

2nd Dec 1917 Attack Made  location map

3rd Dec 1917 On the Move

4th Dec 1917 Training

6th Dec 1917 Training

9th Dec 1917 Training

12th Dec 1917 Training

14th Dec 1917 Training

17th Dec 1917 Training

19th Dec 1917 Training

22nd Dec 1917 Training

23rd Dec 1917 Festive Celebrations

24th Dec 1917 Training

25th Dec 1917 Move

26th Dec 1917 On the Move

27th Dec 1917 In Camp  location map

30th Dec 1917 Reliefs  location map

15th Apr 1918 Reliefs Completed  location map

15th Apr 1918 Reliefs  location map

28th May 1918 Hard Fighting

1st July 1918 Training

2nd July 1918 Training

3rd July 1918 Training

4th July 1918 On the March

5th July 1918 Training

6th July 1918 Training

7th July 1918 Training

8th July 1918 Training

9th July 1918 Training

10th July 1918 Training

11th July 1918 Training

12th July 1918 Training

13th July 1918 Training

14th July 1918 Reorganisation

15th July 1918 On the March

16th Jul 1918 Training

17th Jul 1918 Training

18th Jul 1918 Training

19th Jul 1918 On the Move

20th Jul 1918 In Camp

21st Jul 1918 In Camp

22nd Jul 1918 Reliefs  location map

23rd Jul 1918 Training

24th Jul 1918 Training

25th Jul 1918 Training

26th Jul 1918 Training

27th Jul 1918 Sports

28th Jul 1918 Training

29th Jul 1918 Training

30th Jul 1918 Move

31st Jul 1918 In Camp

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





Want to know more about 2nd Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment?


There are:5430 items tagged 2nd Battalion, Royal Berkshire 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, Royal Berkshire Regiment

during the Great War 1914-1918.

  • Biddle Samuel Arthur. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916)
  • Britnell Amos Albert. Pte (d.25th Sept 1915)
  • Chapman George James. Pte.
  • Claydon John. Pte. (d.9th May 1915)
  • Colyer Edward Thomas Joseph. Cpl. (d.1st Aug 1917)
  • Dormer John Joseph. Pte. (d.30th Jan 1916)
  • Fellowes Basil Hamilton Abdy. 2nd Lt. (d.22nd March 1917)
  • Garside Paul Hamilton Douglas.
  • Godden Frederick George. (d.31st Oct 1915)
  • Goodwin Albert. Pte.
  • Gould George Penstone. L/Sgt. (d.28th Oct 1916)
  • Gray John Arthur. Sgt.Maj. (d.4th March 1917)
  • Handy Arthur James. Pte. (d.22nd Mar 1918)
  • Hey George Leonard. Pte. (d.25th Sept 1915)
  • Hill None William Henry. Pte. (d.27th May 1918)
  • Holland John Henry. Pte. (d.25th Oct 1916)
  • House Ernest Charles. Pte (d.8th Sep 1917)
  • Huggins MM & bar. Thomas George. Sgt.
  • Hunt William. Pte. (d.20th October 1917)
  • Hunter William Henry. Pte (d.21st Sept 1916)
  • Jacob Robert. Pte. (d.1st July 1916)
  • Jacob Sidney Ralph. Pte (d.7th Dec 1917)
  • Lickman Cyril Edward. Sgt.
  • Luker David. Pte (d.16th May 1915)
  • Lunnon Walter Ernest. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916)
  • Marlow Francis John. Sgt (d.3rd April 1918)
  • Mitchell Jesse Reuben. Pte. (d.9th May 1915)
  • Pope James William. Pte. (d.27th Apr 1918)
  • Pope James William. Pte. (d.27th Apr 1918)
  • Price Reuben. Pte. (d.27th June 1918)
  • Ritchie John. Cpl. (d.1st July 1916)
  • Rixon Edward James. Pte. (d.4th April 1917)
  • Rolingson George Edward. Pte. (d.16th Aug 1917)
  • Sherwood Frederick. Pte. (d.30th Apr 1917)
  • Shirreff Francis Gordon. 2nd Lt (d.1st Jul 1916)
  • Sibley William George. Pte (d.10th March 1915)
  • Smith Herbert Maurice. Pte. (d.29th May 1918)
  • Spriggs Augustus Henry. Pte. (d.10th March 1915)
  • Thatcher Hubert Archibald. Pte. (d.28th Oct 1916)
  • Warman Alfred George. L/Cpl. (d.25th September 1915)
  • Webb Bertie Thomas. Pte. (d.25th September 1915)
  • Welch John William. Pte. (d.1st Aug 1917)
  • Wicks Charles John. Pte. (d.1st July 1916)
  • Wicks Edward. Pte. (d.20th Augu 1917)
  • Wicks James William. Pte. (d.8th Aug 1916)
  • Wiggins Joseph Thomas. Cpl. (d.14th Oct 1918)
  • Williams Edward Howard. Pte (d.2nd April 1918)
  • Woodwards Jesse. 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, Royal Berkshire Regiment from other sources.


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  Pte. Arthur James Handy 2nd Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.22nd Mar 1918)

Arthur James Handy was actually born in 1885 although, for some reason, his age as recorded on the Commonwealth War Graves and war records states he was 24 when he died (he was actually 33). He was the eldest of the eight children of James and Ellen Handy of 50 Alderminster and is recorded on the War Memorial at Alderminster Church.

We are also aware that Arthur's cousins Henry (Harry) Handy who was a Driver in the Royal Army Service Corps and Henry's brother Percy Gerald Handy a Private in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment also gave their lives in the Great War.

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Andy Warren






  Pte. Edward James Rixon 2nd Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.4th April 1917)

Edwin Rixon died on 4th of April 1917, aged 22. He was the son of James and Elizabeth Rixon, of Fawley Green, Henley-on-Thames. He lived in the village of Fawley, nr. Henley on Thames, with his parents, his brother Jack (my grandfather) and sister Amy (Cis).

s flynn






  Pte. Hubert Archibald Thatcher 2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.28th Oct 1916)

Hubert Thatcher was my first cousin twice removed, the son of Alfred and Jane Thatcher who lived in Pound Cottage, Speenhamland, Newbury. Alfred was a blacksmith in Newbury. Hubert died 28th October 1916 in the Battle of the Somme. He has no known grave but is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial, in France. He was 19 years of age.

Jenny Austin






  Pte. John Henry Holland 2nd Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.25th Oct 1916)

John Henry Holland is my great grandfather. He is listed on the Thiepval Memorial. I have his date of death and service number but not more than that. I would love to find out if he was awarded any medals and if there are any photos of the regiment before he died so I might find a photo of him as I currently have none.

Annabelle Holland






  Sgt. Cyril Edward Lickman 2nd Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment

In 1911, Cyril Lickman was in the 2nd Berkshires in India. He returned in 1914 (17yrs old), moved to Winchester, and was made Acting Sergeant for the 6th Berkshires, training the service battalion. He fought through the First World War, then re-joined in the Second World War. He survived and passed away in 1974.

Paul Lickman






  Cpl. Joseph Thomas Wiggins 2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.14th Oct 1918)

I had no knowledge whatsoever that my great uncle, Joseph Wiggins, was killed in action at French Flanders as it was never mentioned by my family. I live in Australia and will be visiting the Western Front and especially Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery in 2020 to pay my respects.







  Pte. Augustus Henry Spriggs 2nd Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.10th March 1915)

In memory of Private Augustus Spriggs, 2nd Battalion Royal, Berkshire Regiment who died on 10th of March 1915 age 20. Son of Mrs Rosina Cork (formerly Spriggs) of 1 Yew Cottages, Greywell, Basingstoke, Hants. Remembered with honour at Le Touret Memorial in France.

I am researching my family tree and Augustus Spriggs is my 2nd great uncle.

Amanda Taft






  Pte Amos Albert Britnell 2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.25th Sept 1915)

Amos was born in 1890, the 4th child of the family of 10 belonging to Amos Britnell (sen) and Jane Plested. He was still living at home with his parents and siblings when he joined the Army.

He was killed in France and is commemorated at the Ploegsteert Memorial at Hainaut in Belgium. 11,000 servicemen from the UK and South Africa are remembered here as they have no known graves. They were mainly killed in day to day trench warfare.

Peta Millard






  L/Sgt. George Penstone Gould 2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.28th Oct 1916)

George Gould was born in Holyport, Berkshire on 23rd May 1889. He was the son of a local policeman, Thomas Gould, and his wife Sarah. Prior to Holyport, Thomas had been the local policeman in Binfield, Berkshire. On 1st October 1910 George was appointed Police Constable 24 in the Berkshire Constabulary. At this time his father had retired from the Berkshire Constabulary, and the Gould family were living in 1 Market Place, Henley, Oxfordshire.

George Gould volunteered for military service in The Great War, but in order to join up he had to resign as a police constable, which he did on 1st of May 1915. George was appointed as a Private in the Royal Berkshire Regiment on 1st of May 1915. After basic training he was posted to the 2nd Battalion, in France on 5th of October 1915.

He was hit with a shell on 23rd of October 1916 and died on the 28th. He has no known grave and is remembered with honour on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing in France. This memorial commemorates 72,191 men killed in Battles of The Somme.

Brian Dunn






  Pte. Samuel Arthur Biddle 2nd Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

Samuel Biddle took part in the 2nd Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment action at the Battle of the Somme. He was killed in action aged just eighteen.

Robert C Pedler






  Pte. William Hunt 2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.20th October 1917)

William Hunt was a 38 year old father of seven children conscripted in 1916. He died at Steenwerck Field Hospital on 20th of October 1917 from injuries sustained. It was not only sons that were lost, many fathers also paid the supreme sacrifice.

Frank Westfield






  L/Cpl. Alfred George Warman 2nd Btn. Berkshire Regiment (d.25th September 1915)

Alfred Warman, born in Acton in 1889, eldest son and middle child of Charles and Florence Warman. He enlisted with the British Army in 1906 and the 1911 census shows him serving with the 5th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers in Meerut in India.

When war broke out Alfred was serving with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment and embarked for France in November 1914. He was killed in action on 25 September 1915 and is buried in the White City Cemetery, Bois-Grenier, France. He is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.

His younger brother Albert Edward served in the 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers and was killed in action on the 16 June, 1915. Tragically his parents lost both sons to the War within 4 months of each other.

Caroline Hunt






  Pte. Bertie Thomas Webb 2nd Btn. Berkshire Regiment (d.25th September 1915)

Bertie Webb is my relative who died in the First World War and I want him to be remembered in all the ways he can be. I want all soldiers, past and present, to be remembered for their sacrifices and hard work.

Charlotte Webb






   Paul Hamilton Douglas Garside 2nd Btn. Berkshire Regiment

Paul Garside served with 2nd Btn Royal Berkshire Regiment, his brother Robert Garside with the 22nd Manchesters. Their father was Thomas Douglas Hamilton Garside, political speaker & journalist, co-author with James Myles Hogge MP of the book War Pensions And Allowances published 1918.

Rebecca






  Cpl. John Ritchie 2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire (d.1st July 1916)

My Great Uncle, John Ritchie was killed first day of the Battle of the Somme 1st July 1916. I remember my Grandfather talking with great pride about his older brother. I have all of his letters home to my great grandmother, Mary box, hip flask and medals.

We will never forget you.

Ian Backhouse






  Pte Sidney Ralph Jacob 2nd/4th Btn Royal Berkshire Regment (d.7th Dec 1917)

Sidney was the second son of Frederick Jacob to die in 1917. In August that year his elder brother also Frederick had died. From what I have ascertained, Sidney died of wounds suffered in the battle of Passchendaele. He was 23 years old







  Pte. Robert Jacob 2nd Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.1st July 1916)

Robert Jacob is remembered on a tablet together with his brother George in the churchyard of St. Stephen's, Baughurst, a village in north Hampshire, close to the Berkshire border. He is also recorded on the local war memorial.

He was typical of many young men who went to do his patriotic duty; he died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, aged 20. He is buried in the Ovillers Military Cemetery, five kilometres north-east of Albert.

Robert's older brother also died during WW1. His sister Rose died from TB contracted whilst serving as a nurse, which she also passed on to their younger brother Frederick. All four children of his family died in the space of eleven years.

Andrew Thompson






  Pte. James William Pope 2nd Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.27th Apr 1918)

Pte James Pope served with the 2nd Btn Royal Berkshire Regiment

Victor Bayliss






  Pte William George Sibley 2nd Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.10th March 1915)

William George Sibley was 21 when he was killed in 1915. He was awarded the Delhi Durbar Medal in 1911 so he must have joined the army at a very young age.

Peter Sibley






  Pte. George Edward Rolingson 2nd Btn., D Coy. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.16th Aug 1917)

George Rolingson was my uncle, my mother's older brother. My mother (aged 6) recalled seeing him off from Diss station after coming home on leave, and holding her in his arms telling her he would not be coming back this time. He died at Passchendaele on 16th August 1917 aged 22. I like to think he is buried in Whitehall as he has no grave.

K. Norman






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