Great War>Allied Army

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

8th Division    8th Division was formed in England during October 1914 by the bringing together of regular army units which had been stationed at various points around the British Empire. The Division moved to France in November 1914, a badly-needed reinforcement to the BEF. It remained on the Western Front throughout the rest of the war, taking part in the following actions: 1915 The Battle of Neuve Chapelle The Battle of Aubers The action of Bois Grenier (a diversionary attack coinciding with the Battle of Loos) 1916 The Battle of Albert (the first phase of the Battles of the Somme 1916) 1917 The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line The Battle of Pilkem - Third Battle of Ypres The Battle of Langemarck - Third Battle of Ypres 1918 The Battle of St Quentin - Somme The actions at the Somme crossings - Somme The Battle of Rosieres - Somme The actions of Villers-Bretonneux - Somme The Battle of the Aisne The Battle of the Scarpe - Arras The Final Advance in Artois in which the Division captured Douai The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 8th Division 23rd Infantry Brigade 2nd Btn, Devonshire Regiment 2nd Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment 2nd Btn, Scottish Rifles left February 1918 2nd Btn, Middlesex Regiment 1/6th Btn, Scottish Rifles joined March 1915, left June 1915 1/7th Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined March 1915, left February 1916 23rd Machine Gun Company formed 15 January 1916, left to move into 8th MG Battalion 20 January 1918 23rd Trench Mortar Battery formed January 1916 24th Infantry Brigade 24th Brigade transferred to 23rd Division in exchange for 70th Brigade on 18 October 1915. Returned to 8th Division on 15 July 1916. 1st Btn, Worcestershire Regiment 2nd Btn, East Lancashire Regiment left February 1918 1st Btn, Sherwood Foresters 2nd Btn, Northamptonshire Regiment 1/5th Btn, Black Watch joined November 1914, left while Brigade was with 24th Division 1/4th Btn, Cameron Highlanders joined February 1915, left April 1915 24th Machine Gun Company formed 19 January 1916, left to move into 8th MG Battalion 20 January 1918 24th Trench Mortar Battery formed January 1916 25th Infantry Brigade 2nd Btn, Lincolnshire Regiment left February 1918 2nd Btn, Royal Berkshire Regiment 1st Btn, Royal Irish Rifles left February 1918 2nd Btn, Rifle Brigade 1/13th Btn, London Regiment joined November 1914, left May 1915 1/1st Btn, London Regiment joined May 1915, left February 1916 1/8th Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined August 1915, left October 1915 2nd Btn, East Lancashire Regiment joined February 1918 25th Brigade Machine Gun Company formed 10 January 1916, left to move into 8th MG Battalion 20 January 1918 25th Trench Mortar Battery formed February 1916 70th Infantry Brigade 70th Brigade transferred from 23rd Division in exchange for 24th Brigade on 18 October 1915. Returned to 23rd Division on 17 July 1916. 11th Btn, Sherwood Foresters 8th Btn, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 8th Btn, York & Lancaster Regt 9th Btn, York & Lancaster Regt 1/8th Btn, Middlesex Regt joined October 1915, left February 1916 70th Machine Gun Company joined 5 March 1916 70th Trench Mortar Battery formed January 1916 Divisional Troops under the direct command of Divisional HQ 1/5th Btn, Black Watch joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion October 1915, left January 1916 22nd Btn, Durham Light Infantry joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion 2 July 1916 1/7th Btn, Durham Light Infantry joined 20 June 1918, absorbed 22nd DLI and replaced it as Pioneer Btn 3 July 1918 218th Company, the Machine Gun Corps joined 23 March 1917, left to move into 8th MG Battalion 20 January 1918 No 8 Battalion, Machine Gun Corps formed 20 January 1918 8th Divisional Train ASC 42, 84, 85 and 87 Companies 15th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC 211th Divisional Employment Company joined May 1917 8th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined 20 October 1914, transferred to Divisional Train 9 April 1916 Divisional Mounted Troops under the direct command of Divisional HQ 1/1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry left April 1915 C Sqn, 1/1st Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry joined April 1915, left 13 May 1916 8th Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 12 May 1916 Divisional Artillery V Brigade, RHA left January 1917 XXXIII Brigade, RFA XLV Brigade, RFA CXXVIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA joined August 1915, left May 1916 8th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA No 7 Mountain Battery RGA attached 13 to 24 December 1914 No 5 Mountain Battery RGA attached 3 to 26 March 1915 U.8 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed 5 June 1916, disbanded 8 August 1916 W.8 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed May 1916, left February 1918 X.8, Y.8 and Z.8 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined May 1916; on 3 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each Royal Engineers 2nd Field Company 15th Field Company 1st (Home Counties) Field Company joined February 1915, later renamed 490th Field Company RE 8th Divisional Signals Company Royal Army Medical Corps 24th (1st Wessex) Field Ambulance 25th (2nd Wessex) Field Ambulance 26th (3rd Wessex) Field Ambulance 14th Sanitary Section joined 9 January 1915, left 16 April 1917 19th Sep 1914 Divisional HQ Opens 25th Sep 1914 Concentration 2nd Oct 1914 Concentration 7th Oct 1914 Transport 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   9th Nov 1914 Into Billets   11th of November 1914 In the Line   13th of November 1914  Reliefs Completed    14th November 1914 Constant shelling 1st Dec 1914 King George Inspects the Army 30th Dec 1914 Message 8th Mar 1915 Orders   10th March 1915 In Action   10th Mar 1915 King George Inspects the Army 10th March 1915 Recapture of Neuve Chapelle   10th March 1915 German surrender 10th March 1915 Trench captured 10th March 1915 The Orchard 10th Mar 1915 In Action   23rd Mar 1915 Wet Day 23rd Mar 1915 Orders Received 24th Mar 1915 On the March   25th Mar 1915 Orders   25th Mar 1915 Sports 26th Mar 1915 Preparations   27th Mar 1915 In the Line   28th Mar 1915 Shelling   29th Mar 1915 Visit   30th Mar 1915 Instruction   31st Mar 1915 Reliefs   2nd Apr 1915 Shelling   3rd Apr 1915 Wet Day   4th Apr 1915 Heavy Rain   5th Apr 1915 Some Shelling   6th Apr 1915 Reliefs   7th Apr 1915 In Billets   8th Apr 1915 Route March   9th Apr 1915 Training   10th Apr 1915 Orders   11th Apr 1915 Working Parties   21st of April 1915 Intense Bombardment   9th May 1915 Orders are changed  Very heavy gunfire by the guns this morning between 4.39 and 5.30 behind the 19th Infantry Brigade. The 8th Division in action today. Received orders 12 noon to bring in reinforcements from Advanced Post, and cancel the Bearer subdivisions being held in readiness. War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys 9th May 1915 Attack Supported   13th May 1915 Mining Suspected   15th May 1915 Fighting continues   23rd of May 1915 Zeppelin sighted   31st May 1915 Relief by O battery  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Attached to 8th Division. Withdrawn from action at 2100 on being relieved by O Battery RHA and marched by La Gorgue, Melville and Hazebrouck to bivouac and billet in a farm one mile east of Chateau le Nieppe on the Cassel - St Omer road. In at 0300 - about 24 miles - on morning of 1st June when rejoined 5th Cavalry Brigade. war diaries 25th Jun 1915 Orders Received 27th Jun 1915 On the Move 6th July 1915 Attachment order  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA On the 6th July Lieutenant AG Neville went to 36th Trench Howitzer Battery, 8th Division on loan for one month. war diaries 20th July 1915 19th Infantry Brigade transfers to 8th Division  Visited by Deputy Director Medical Services 3rd Corps. This day the 19th Infantry Brigade and attached troops were transferred from 27th Division to 8th Division. War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance 21st July 1915 Unsuccessful search for new sites for Field Ambulance  Visited by Assistant Director of Medical Services and Deputy Assistant Director Medical Services 8th Division. On their instructions, and accompanied by Lt. Hampson, went to inspect possible sites, in neighbourhood of Nouveau Monde, for Field Ambulance to occupy but found none suitable. War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance 30th July 1915 Inspection of cases unfit for trenches.   Visited by Deputy Director Medical Service 8th Division who inspected cases unfit for trenches. War diary RAMC 19th Field Ambulance, Estaires 14th of September 1915 Officer shot through the head 21st September 1915 Orders 25th Sep 1915 1st Bty RFA in action 25th Sep 1915 In Action 25th Sep 1915 In Action 25th Sep 1915 In Action 25th Sep 1915 In Action 4th of November 1915 New draft arrive 26th of November 1915 Special Order - To be read to all men 30th Dec 1915 Tests 7th Jan 1916 On the March 19th Jan 1916 Reorganisation   23rd Jan 1916 Recce 24th Jan 1916 Positions   25th Jan 1916 Instruction   26th Jan 1916 Reliefs   27th Jan 1916 Enemy Active   28th Jan 1916 In Action   29th Jan 1916 Rounds Fired   30th Jan 1916 Foggy 31st Jan 1916 Indirect Fire   1st Feb 1916 Effects of Gas 4th Feb 1916 Reliefs  7th Buffs are relieved by 7th Queens from D 3. they were on our right. 7th Div taking over D s/sectors. Returned to billets in Buire. Billets fairly comfortable but need lot of improvements. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 16th Feb 1916 Reliefs  7th Buffs relieved 8th E Surrey Regiment in E 1. quiet day. M.Gs very active during night. Signed F Phillips Capt. Adj. 7th Buffs 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 22th Feb 1916 Quiet  Nothing to report by 7th Buffs, no activity on enemy’s part on this sector. D3 was heavily shelled from 5.30 pm, 8 pm, enemy left their trenches during bombardment and attempted to enter D 3 but were driven off, Our Machine Guns co-operated with enfilade fire. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 24th Feb 1916 Inspection  Divisional General inspected the 7th Buffs Battalion, manning Becourt Redoubt after relief by 7th Queens. A Coy left as Redoubt Coy. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 25th Feb 1916 Working Parties  Whole of 7th Battalion Buffs on fatigue, with exception of specialists, weather very bad. Snowing all day. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 28th Feb 1916 Message  7th Buffs received phone message from Brigade Major at 5.30 pm that the Battalion would leave Dernancourt at very short notice, destination not given. Major A. L. Ransome arrived to take over command of the Battalion. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 29th Feb 1916 Orders Received  News received by 7th Buffs at 11. am probable place to which we have to move St Gratien. Received orders 1 pm, moved 2 pm. and arrived St Gratien about 7 pm., very bad weather, raining and cold, billets not good. Signed Frank Phillips Capt. Adj 7. Buffs 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 1st Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 15th Mar 1916 Orders 16th Mar 1916 On the Move  7th Battalion Buffs left St Gratien for Corbie at 11 am arrived Corbie 2 pm all men in billets 2.30 pm 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 18th Mar 1916 Reliefs  7th Buffs Commenced relief of 18th Manchester Regiment in Y 3 s/sector at 7 pm relief complete at 9.45 pm. Enemy shelled our transport. Lt F.M. Stoop and 3 O.R. wounded whilst off loading, the force of the explosion knocked Lt Whitefield off the bank, he is suffering from shock. 2 O.R. wounded by shell fire in 13 trench. Frank Phillips Capt Adj 7th Buffs 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 19th Mar 1916 Instruction   19th Mar 1916 Poor Conditions  Trenches very bad condition, work of cleaning taken in hand by 7th Buffs. Enemy shelled transport on arrival at Battalion HQ. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 20th Mar 1916 Instruction   21st Mar 1916 Instruction   22nd Mar 1916 Instruction   23rd Mar 1916 Quiet   23th Mar 1916 Quiet  Nothing to report by 7th Buffs 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 24th Mar 1916 Instruction   25th Mar 1916 Instruction   26th Mar 1916 Reliefs  7th Buffs are Relieved by 7th Queens relief started at 2 pm., all men in billets 8.30pm 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 29th Mar 1916 Working Parties  1 Coy from 7th Buffs are employed making tramway from Bray 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 3rd Apr 1916 Reliefs  3pm. 7th Buffs commenced to relieve 7th Queens in Y 3 Subsector (S.E. of Maricourt) Relief delayed by presence of hostile observation balloon which overlooked Suzanne, Maricourt Valley. Relief completed by dark. Distribution of Battalion A and B. trenches. C, ‘R’ and ‘S’ works. D. Battalion Reserve 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 7th Apr 1916 Reliefs  Very quiet day, C Coy relieved A Coy, 7th Buffs and D Coy relieved B Coy, A Coy to R and S Works, B Coy, Battalion Reserve 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 8th Apr 1916 Quiet  Quiet day for 7th Buffs Slight shelling of ‘S’ works, Our guns active against enemy trenches about ‘Y’ wood and Peronne Road 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 9th Apr 1916 Some Shelling  7th Buffs report, 9.30 pm To 10.30 pm Slight hostile shelling of left of Subsector Enemy shelled Suzanne, Maricourt Road 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 12th Apr 1916 In Reserve  7th Buffs remained in billets as Brigade Reserve at Suzanne and was employed finding working parties, practically 3 Companies being detailed daily, At 2 am on 13th enemy shelled Suzanne with lachrymatory shells for one hour doing no damage 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 19th Apr 1916 Reliefs  Commencing 6 am 7th Buffs relieved 7th Queens in Y 3 Subsector Relief complete, Distribution A and B trenches, C Coy Bn Reserve, D Coy ‘S’ works, Weather very wet and trenches very muddy. Note- ‘R’ works Has now been taken over by Battalion holding Y 2 subsector 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 20th Apr 1916 Rain  Wet weather continued. 7th Buffs report trenches in bad state Enemy bombarded centre of subsector intensely for 2 minutes with 77 mm and 10.5 cm, not much damage done and no casualties 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 21st Apr 1916 Bombardment  12 noon Another intense bombardment lasting about 3 minutes with 77 mm and 10.5 cm Enemy again bombarded subsector as yesterday, Damage done to New Street and King Street. 4.30 pm Two killed and two wounded in B Coy, 7th Buffs by second bombardment, Enemy appeared nervous at night, firing more than usual and sending up flares, This may be accounted for by our registration of ‘Y’ wood and vicinity, weather still very wet 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 22nd Apr 1916 Artillery in Action  7th Buffs report, Our supporting batteries fired on “Y” wood for 2 minutes at 4.30pm there was no retaliation otherwise quiet day, except for one short hostile bombardment 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 23rd Apr 1916 Quiet  Easter Sunday. Quiet day for 7th Buffs no artillery activity on either side, We shelled enemy wiring party in front of Y Wood about 9 pm. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 24th Apr 1916 Artillery Active  Enemy’s artillery very active against 7th Buffs Subsector.Two intense bombardments lasting 3 to 5 minutes, 77 mm and 10.5 and 15 cm Howitzer being used, 15 cm howitzer battery also fired24 rounds in registration of our communication trench, also damaging our wire opposite junction of A 23/2 and A 23/3 trenches, Much damage was done to our trenches, H.Q. of left Coy (D Coy) hit directly by 15 mm shell, and damaged, Captain Neame slightly wounded 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 25th Apr 1916 Artillery in Action  12 noon 7th Buffs report, Our artillery bombarded ‘Y’ wood for 2 minutes, 12.8 pm Enemy retaliated by intensely bombarding left of Subsector. 5 pm Enemy again bombarded intensely this time more to right of Subsector. There was also hostile registration of Dalton St. during morning, Much damage again done 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 26th Apr 1916 Bombing  7th Buffs report less artillery activity, weather much improved and trenches quite dry, ‘S.O.S’ signals received from A Sector, but signals soon withdrawn. 1.30 pm Two bombing parties from 7th Buffs sent out to bomb Enemy saps at S. end of Y wood as soon as our bombardment in connection with raid at Carnoy A Sector commenced Left hand party all wounded, right hand party under 2/Lt McColl returned safely after throwing bombs. L/Cpl Stewart A Coy and Pte Manning C Coy distinguished themselves in bringing in wounded men. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 27th Apr 1916 Bombardment  2am Enemy opened two short bombardments, first with 77mm and 10.5 howitzers and later with 15 cm howitzers, It had been intended to commence relief of Battalion by 7th Queens, but as hostile observation balloon was up, relief had to be postponed. 10.20am Conference of Battalion Commanders at Bde H Q, Very hot day, Enemy artillery inactive. Relief of 7th Buffs by 7th Queens commenced and was completed by 10.55 pm, Battalion to billets at Suzanne. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 28th Apr 1916 In Billets  7th Buffs remained in billets at Suzanne. Note. During tours of duty the Battalion occupied the following trenches, A 29/6, A 23/1, A 23/2, A 23/3 and A23/4, reference Trench Maps Maricourt 1/10,000, During these tours of duty, Battalion on right was 7th R West Kent Regiment 55th Brigade Battalion on left was either 8th Norfolk Regiment or 8th Suffolk Regiment) of 53rd Brigade. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 1st May 1916 On the Move 11th May 1916 On the March   7th Buffs Marched from Corbie to Etinehem Camp less ‘B’ Co y who were doing piquet duty in Amiens 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 12th May 1916 Working Parties   7th Buffs are Digging cable trench for heavy artillery Bronfay Farm Billon Wood. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 25th May 1916 Working Parties   7th Buffs finish Digging cable trench for heavy artillery Bronfay Farm Billon Wood. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 7th May 1916  Training   7th Buffs Church parade in Market square, Corbie. Lt Gen W. Congreve V.C. was present with his staff. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 24th Jun 1916 1st Bty RFA in action 24th Jun 1916 U Day  On the Somme the count down to the Big Push begins. Allied artillery bombard the enemy trenches and the infantry undertake final preparations. 25th Jun 1916 V Day  Allied Artillery are active, firing shells to cut the belts of wire protecting the enemy trenches and damage the defences. RFC pilots report large explosions at enemy dumps at Longueval, Montauban, Mametz Wood and Pozieres. As the German artillery responds to the bombardment, the positions of 102 hostile batteries are identified. Three enemy observation balloons on Fourth Army front are shot shown by aircraft of the RFC. As darkness falls, the infantry holding the allied front line sent out raiding parties to judge the situation. Reports bring mixed news, in some areas, such as at Montauban, the enemy are lightly manning badly damaged trenches, but in other areas such as La Boisselle and Ovillers, the enemy remains at full strength. 1st Jul 1916 1st Bty RFA fire Continously 1st Jul 1916 In Action   1st Jul 1916 In Action   2nd Jul 1916 Reliefs   2nd Jul 1916 On the March   3rd Jul 1916 On the Move 3rd Jul 1916 On the Move 4th Jul 1916 On the March 4th Jul 1916 On the March 5th Jul 1916 In Billets 6th Jul 1916 On the Move 7th Jul 1916 On the March 8th Jul 1916 Move 9th Jul 1916 In Billets 10th Jul 1916 Inspection 11th Jul 1916 Inspection 14th Jul 1916 On the March   15th Jul 1916 In Billets   18th Jul 1916 Award   19th Jul 1916 Attack Made   19th Jul 1916 In Billets   21st Jul 1916 On the March   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 Working Parties 30th Jul 1916 Working Parties 30th Jul 1916 Reliefs 31st Jul 1916 Working Parties 31st Jul 1916 In the Fron Line 1st Aug 1916 Training  7th Buffs are Training, parades under Coy arrangements, training of specialists continued, weather very fine Received 55th Brigade Operational Order No 32 re relief of 3rd New Sealand Rifle Brigade. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 3rd Aug 1916 Training  7th Buffs Marched to Erquinghem, Starting point Fletre Church 6.15 am. A halt was made at 9 am at La Creche (S.E. of Bailleul) until 5 pm. Arrived Erquinghem 7 pm. Marching very hot and roads dusty, only 3 men fell out. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 4th Aug 1916  Recce  Major Monier-Williams visited huts to be occupied by 7th Buffs at H17.d.2.2 and H23.a.8.6 and found 6 had been destroyed by shell fire on the 3rd. Others were being used as gun emplacements. Weather very fine. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 5th Aug 1916 On the March  7th Buffs Moved to forward area, leading Coy moving at 7.35 am Battalion disposed as follows: H.Q. La Rolanderie Ref. Map A Coy In farm at H.11.a.5.4 Bois Grenier B and D Coys In huts at H.23.a.8.6 36 N.W 4 C Coy In farm at H.5.c.2.3. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 6th Aug 1916 Recce  Day spent in reconnoitring area and finding best approaches to trenches (etc) Visit to the trenches by C.O. and several other officers to look round sub-sector the 7th Buffs Battalion is going to take over. Very hot day. Specialists did training. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 8th Aug 1916  Conference  C.O. had a conference of Coy Commanders to explain defence scheme and tell them how the Battalion would be disposed when they took over the line. 11Pm Orders were received from 55th Inf. Brigade that the Battalion would take over the right sub-sector from the East Surrey Regiment. the next day. Arrangements for relief to be made by O.C. units concurred. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 9th Aug 1916 Reliefs  Major R.T. Monier-Williams and Coy commanders went up to the trenches in the morning and made arrangements as regards relief. 2.15pm Specialists including Lewis Gunners, Snipers, Signallers, Bombers proceeded to the trenches and took over from the 8th East Surrey Regiment. in daylight. 9.15pm The first Coy, D Coy moved off and the remainder followed in the order C, A, B, H.Q. Companies moving by platoons at 5 mins interval. Starting point H17d54 D Coy took over from C Coy 8th East Surrey on the left C Coy took over from A Coy 8th East Surrey on the right. A Coy took over from D Coy 8th East Surrey in support. B Coy took over from B Coy 8th East Surrey in reserve. Relief of all Coys was reported complete at 12.15 a.m. (the 10th inst.) Ref: 36N.W4 Bois Grenier 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 10th Aug 1916 Holding the Line  On completion of relief 7th Buffs Battalion was disposed as follows: C Coy on front line from 36.I.31.c5.4 to I.31.b.4.1 D Coy in front line from I.31.b.4.1 to I.32.a.15.90 2 platoons of A Coy at the White City, 1 platoon of A Coy less 1 section at Stanway Post (I.31.b.3.8) 1 section of A Coy at Emma Post (I.31.a.7.7), and 1 platoon of A Coy at Jock’s Joy, I.25.d.7.2. B Coy at Moat Farm (I.25.a.1.9) in Battalion reserve. Bn. H.Q. at the White City I.31.a.4.7. Very quiet day except for a few enemy light trench mortars which fell in the right Coy’s front. Light West wind. Brigadier Gen. Jackson and Brig. Major came up in the morning. Very quiet night, slight rifle and machine gun fire. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 11th Aug 1916 Warm Day  Day exceptionally quiet and very warm. Light South wind. Orders were issued for two sections of A Coy 7th Buffs from White City Post and one Lewis gun to go and live in support trench running from I.31.c.5.7 to I.31.c.75.90 to be in close support to C Coy. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 12th Aug 1916 Very Hot  Quiet day and very hot. At 11.10a.m. enemy put 12 4.2 cm shells over 7th Buffs apparently ranging on trench 51, the first of these set some hay near Water Farm alight. Between 10 p.m. and 12 midnight enemy artillery and trench mortars were active on subsector on our right. Telephone message received from 55th Brigade. saying gas helmets were to be worn in the alert position as wind was favourable for German Gas. Wind Fresh S.E. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 14th Aug 1916 Quiet  Quiet day for 7th Buffs. Except at 6.30p.m. when enemy’s T.M. bombs fell near the heads of Queer St and Safety Alley and at the back of the salient. 5.9 shells fell near Safety Alley (behind Support Trench) and also between there and Stanway Alley. Earlier in the afternoon a few shells fell in the front line in Sector 49. A bombardment of the enemy’s lines from I.26.b.8.8 to I.16.d.3.5 took place. The enemy did not retaliate on our front at all. Showery in the middle of the day. Wind S.W. Quiet night. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 16th Aug 1916 Reliefs  10.15pm 7th Buffs commenced to relieve 7th Queens in Y 3 Subsector (S.E. of Maricourt) Relief delayed by presence of hostile observation balloon which overlooked Suzanne, Maricourt Valley. Relief completed by dark. Distribution of Battalion, A and B. trenches. C, ‘R’ and ‘S’ works. D. Battalion Reserve 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 17th Aug 1916 Shelling  7th Buffs report 10am Enemy shelled White City end of Queer St. with about 5 rounds of 10.5 cm. Our T.M.B. fired a few rounds on trench opposite 50 trench. Enemy replied with 12 T.M. bombs in vicinity of trenches 49 and 50 and Queer Street. 7.15pm 12 15cm. shells fell around trenches 50 and 51 and two rifle grenades. 12 midnight about 9 light T.M. bombs and rifle grenades fell behind 50 trench. Otherwise quiet night and day. Fine day and misty night. Wind gentle S.W. 7th Buffs report 9am Our 60 lb. mortars registered with four rounds on enemy’s trenches opposite the salient. Enemy replied with several pineapple bombs and two heavy T.M. bombs. Our Stokes gun very quickly answered with about 50 bombs and Enemy then shelled in front of Tui Road and Support Line 50 with about 16 rounds. All quiet by 9.45 a.m. 5.25pm We exchanged about 9 light trench mortar bombs with the enemy on trenches 48 and 49. Germans sent about four 10.5 cm. shells into 50 trench. Showery all day and night. Wind gentle W.S.W. Very quiet night. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 18th Aug 1916 Artillery in Action  7th Buffs report About 3.15 p.m. our guns opened rapid firing on enemy’s front and support lines. Enemy replied with about 12 pineapples and 1 heavy mortar afterwards shelling road from White City to salient. About 3 shells fell on 50 Support Trench. About 5.40 p.m. 1 heavy mortar bomb and about 30 “pineapples” fell on Right Coy’s front. Not much damage done. 2/Lt C. Debon was slightly wounded in shoulder. Otherwise quiet day and very quiet night; wet off and on all day. Fresh West wind. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 20th Aug 1916  Shelling  8am About 20 light trench mortar bombs and about six heavy bombs fell along 7th Buffs right Companys front, one of the latter fell on the cook-house, no material damage done. 1 pm Enemy started shelling with 10.5 cm and 15 cm all round White City and Battalion H.Q., one 15cm. landing right in the trench wounding five men. At about 2 p.m. they shortened on to right Coy’s sector being fairly intense from 2.25 p.m. to 3 p.m. Our artillery replied at 3.10 p.m. A good deal of damage around Queer St and Support line 48 and 49 and salient. Shelling stopped about 4 p.m. At 4 p.m. Battalion H.Q. shifted from the White City to Moat Farm. After 4 p.m. quiet for the rest of the day and night. Wind West. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 21st Aug 1916  Reliefs  During the morning the C.O. and representatives from the 16th Royal Scots came up to look around the line prior to taking over from 7th Buffs. At 4 p.m. Specialists e.g. Snipers, Signallers, Lewis Gunners (etc.) came up to relieve our specialists. 8.30pm The 16th Royal Scots started to relieve us and the relief was carried out by platoons. Relief being complete by 12.25 a.m. on the 22nd inst. Very quiet day throughout. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 22nd Aug 1916  On the March  12.25am Coys of 7th Buffs moved from trenches to Divisional Baths for the night H.5.a.4.7 Ref Map sheet 36 NW at Erquinhem. The morning was spent by the whole battalion having baths and generally cleaning up. 1.40pm The 7th Buffs moved from the Divisional Baths to Estaires passing the starting point bridge at H.4.c.1.5 (Ref. Sheet 36 N.W.) at 2.15 p.m. Route Croix du Bac, Estaires. The Battalion was all in billets at Estaires at 5.30 p.m. being billeted in farms round the Steenwerck road area of Estaires. H.Q. were situated at G.19.d.0.5. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 23rd Aug 1916 Company Inspections  Day spent by 7th Buffs in Company inspections of kit, smoke helmets, (etc.) and generally cleaning up. The Commanding Officer motored over to inspect new area with the Brigadier General. Major Monier-Williams took the billeting party over to allot billets in the new area. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 25th Aug 1916  Entraining  6.30pm 7th Buffs Battalion transport and D Coy. marched from Estaires to Merville Station where they loaded transport on the train. 8.15pm The Battalion less D Coy and transport marched from Estaires to Merville starting point road junction just West of B in Meteren Becque, reaching Merville at 10.20 p.m. where Battalion entrained. Train left at 11.50 p.m. from Merville. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 26th Aug 1916 On the Move 1st Sept Training  8.50am 7th Buffs marched out to wood in U 10 a to witness a Flame projector demonstration by Capt. Hartley 3rd Army Expert. The whole brigade was present. After the demonstration the Battalion marched to the Bois de la Carnoye where they had dinners. After dinners there was a scheme for an attack on the wood. A and D Coys 7th Royal West Kent Regiment. defended the section edge and B and C Coys 7th Royal West Kent Regiment. and 7th Buffs attacked. The Commanding Officers of both regiments umpired and Maj. Monier-Williams was in command of the attack. After the attack the Battalion marched back reaching billets about 6.15 p.m. 8.45pm The Commanding Officer had a conference of all officers to discuss the afternoon’s attack and the scheme for the next day. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 10th Sep 1916 On the March   8am 7th Buffs started from Road Junction South of R in Maizieres at 8.0 a.m., the order of march being B, C, Drums, D, A, Companies. Battalion marched via Magnicourt Sur Canche, Moulin Mouvigneul to cross-roads at East end of Canettemont (the Brigade Starting Point). The Battalion was third in order of march, following the 7th Battalion Queens W. Surrey Regiment. The Brigade and attached Troops marched via Rebreuviette to Le Souich, marching past Gen Maxse at the entrance to Le Souich. The Battalion were reported to have occupied their Billets at 1.15 p.m. Lieut Col Ransome and Lieut Burnside returned from leave. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 11th Sep 1916 On the March  6 am 7th Buffs started from Road Junction one quarter mile S.W. of L in Le Souich to march to Puchevillers. Route Halloy, Thievres, Marieux, Raincheval, Puchevillers. The march was carried out by the Brigade as a Brigade march. Very close day: 12 men fell out. We reached huts at Puchevillers at 1.35 p.m. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 2nd Sep 1916  Training  7.10am 7th Buffs marched out to Magnicourt where the rendezvous was at road junction at O35a.0.0. reaching there by 8.30 a.m. The Commanding Officer and Adjutant rode on and met the Brigadier at road junction ¼ mile N.E. of the N in Houvelin where the Brigade scheme was read and orders issued. Coy commanders were then assembled and told the scheme. The Brigade. was detailed to attack and capture the three woods on square U 10, the 7th Buffs on the right, the 8th East Surrey Regiment. on the left and the 7th Queens in support. B and C Coys 7th Buffs were the leading Coys. with D Coy in support and A Coy in reserve. 7th Royal West Kent Regiment. acted as Enemy. Maj. Gen. Maxse held a conference of all officers at the close of operations, the Battalion having had dinners and marched back under Coy. Sergt Majors. 6pm A Coy 7the buffs gave a bombing demonstration in Tactics of Bombing Parties at Rocourt. Lt. Col Ransome went on leave. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 24th Sep 1916  Tidying up  Morning spent by Coys of 7th Buffs in filling in trenches dug and doing bombing, bayonet- fighting (etc.) and in the afternoon the whole Battalion filled in the Brigade trenches dug by the four battalions of the Brigade. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 25th Sep 1916 Billeting Party  Capt. Wood and billeting party moved off to Hédauville. The following went on a reconnaissance round the Reserve Army trench area. Capt. Brice, 1 Officer per Coy., Lewis Gun Officer, Bombing Officer, Signal Sergeant, and several N.C.O.s and men. The following went to report to the A.P.M. 18th Divn. at Acheux for looking after cages for German prisoners; 2/Lt Watson, 2/Lt Kerr, 8 N.C.O.s and 44 men. 2L/t H. Fine proceeded to the Divn. School at Varennes. Coys. Spent the morning in tidying up huts and ground about huts and filling in trenches and foot slits dug whilst training. The Battalion moved from Puchevillers to Hedauville. Route Arqueves, Varennes. Starting point cross roads in N. 22 c at North end of Puchevillers. Order of march D. A. Drums. B. C. Time of start 1.17 p.m. All packs were carried by lorries. The Battalion were all in billets at Hedauville at 4.50 p.m. 3 men only fell out on the march. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 26th Sep 1916 Orders Received  Orders received from 55th. Brigade said 7th Battalion Buffs must be ready to move any time within an hour after 1 p.m. Orders received from Brigade at 12.50 p.m. said Battalion to be clear of Hedauville by 1.30 p.m. or as soon after as possible and move to open ground about W 8 central. Battalion moved at 1.35 p.m. and reached ground at 3.30 p.m. where they bivouacked for the night. Major Monier-Williams went to Brigade as Liaison Officer at 12.30 p.m. Verbal orders received from Brigade by Major Monier-Williams that the Battalion was to move to dug outs at Crucifix Corner W.11 d 85 and be there by 7 a.m. 1st line Transport and personnel to remain at W.8 central. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 27th Sep 1916  Standing by  7th Buffs paraded at 5.30 a.m. and marched to W.10.c.24 from which point it went by platoons to Crucifix Corner W.11.d.85. Order of march B. C. D. A. The Battalion was all in dug outs at Crucifix Corner at 7.26 a.m. 7th Buffs remained throughout the day in their dug outs standing by. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 28th Sep 1916  Standing by  7th Buffs remained throughout the day in their dug outs at Crucifix Corner W.11.d.8.5 standing by. Major Monier-Williams rejoined Battalion from Brigade. All Officers at 1st Line Transport were sent up to join Battalion. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 29th Sep 1916 Dugouts  7th Buffs remained for the morning in dug outs, at 3.50 p.m. message was received from Brigade that Battalion was to go up to Wood Post X1 Central and occupy dug outs vacated by 8th Suffolk Regiment. which would be vacated at 4.30 p.m. Battalion was all in dug outs by 5.30 p.m. A. and C. Coy in dug outs at Wood Post. B and D Coys in dug outs in old German front line in Lemburg Trench R.31.d. 1 platoon of A Coy was ordered to be held in readiness for carrying to Thiepval for 8th East Surrey Regiment, and proceeded on carrying party at 1.30 a.m. on 30th Sept. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 30th Sep 1916 In Action  7am Message received by 7th Buffs from Brigade “S.O.S. on Northern edge of Schwaben redoubt 7th Buffs to ready.” Verbal message from Brigade said “1 Coy to be sent to occupy Northern defences of trench.” D Coy was accordingly ordered up and reported its arrival without any casualties at 10.35 a.m. Casualties up to 12 noon 30th Sept. O.R. killed. 3. O.R. Wounded. 5. 1.25pm Orders received from Brigade. stating “2 platoons 7th Buffs in conjunction with the 8th East Surrey Regiment. were to attack and recapture Schwaben Redoubt. Objectives of the 2 platoons 7th Buffs were points R.19.d.39.80 and R.19.d.1.9.” Zero time was 4 p.m. 2 platoons of D Coy under 2L/t Carman, nos. 15 and 16, were detailed for the attack. 3.35pm Orders were issued for A Coy 7th Buffs to stand by ready to move up to Thiepval at a moment’s notice. Major Monier-Williams ordered to report to Brigade H.Q. 4pm Verbal orders received from Brigade. “1 Coy to report to O.C. 8th East Surrey Regiment. at Thiepval at once.” A Coy 7th Buffs was ordered to proceed up. 8.50pm Verbal orders received from Brigadier who came up to Wood Post were that 1 Coy and H.Q. were to move up to Thiepval and reinforce the 8th East Surrey Regiment. who were to collect and withdraw back to Wood Post. 9.15pm H.Q. and B Coy moved up to Thiepval reaching there at 10.45 p.m. B Coy moving into dug outs about R.25.b.6.0. H.Q, going to 8th East Surrey H.Q. at R.25.d.0.4. C Coy ordered to move up to Joseph trench R.32.a.2.6 to 7.7. 12 midnight. Message received from A Coy saying nos. 1 and 3 platoons had been sent to reinforce 8th East Surrey Regiment. left near point R.19 d 65. Nos 2 and 4 platoons sent to help 7th R.W. Kent Regiment. Also report attached received from D Coy with reference to the attack at 4 p.m. by nos. 15 and 16 platoons by 2L/t L. G. Carman who was in command of the party. A.W. Monier-Williams Commanding 7th Buffs 10th Oct 1916 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 4th Sep 1916  Training  In the course of the morning all Officers of 7th Buffs visited the training area to examine the ground at U.1.d.74, which was to be used for the afternoon’s Scheme. They also witnessed a Demonstration of Intensive Digging. During the morning B and C Companies were instructed in wiring by an N.C.O. provided by 92nd Field Coy R.E. for the purpose. 1 pm The Battalion marched to the training area at U.I.d.74 and practiced a Brigade Attack on 2 lines of trenches. Cooperation with a Contact Aeroplane was practised and Intensive digging in the Captured positions. At the Conclusion of the Scheme the Battalion returned to billets for tea. Orders were issued for the Battalion to move with the 55th Infantry Bde to Maizieres. This was subsequently cancelled just before midnight. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 5th Sep 1916  Training   The move having been postponed at the last moment, the day was given up to Company Training. A and B Companies 7th Buffs utilized the Bombing Redout at Rocourt during the morning, while the remaining Companies during the morning and the Battalion after dinners include Intensive Digging in their programme. The Southern half of B area was used by the Battalion. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 9th Sep 1916 On the March   The Battalion started from the Road Junction West of Monchy Breton Church at 9.45 a.m., the order of march being A, B, Companies, Drums, C, D, Companies. The Battalion passed the Brigade Starting Point (Cross-roads South of E in Monchy Breton) at 10.15, being rear Battalion in the Brigade. The attached troops of the Brigade and Echelon B of Transport followed. The route was by Bailleul Aux Cornailles, U in Le Haut Barley Fm, Averdoingt to Maiziéres; which was reached at 12.20 p.m. Major General Maxse watched the Brigade march past him just outside this village. Orders were received for the march of the following day. 7th Buffs war diary WO95/2049 28th of October 1916 Orders   5th Jan 1917 Orders 25th Mar 1917 Reorganisation   26th Mar 1917 Ground Gained   29th Mar 1917 Advance   30th Mar 1917 Advance   31st Mar 1917 Orders   14th May 1917 Anti Aircraft Defence   8th Jul 1917 On the Move   17th Jul 1917 Orders   28th of July 1917 Orders for an Attack   31st Jul 1917 In Action   31st Jul 1917 In Action   31st Jul 1917 Attack Made 31st Jul 1917 In Action   1st Aug 1917 Field Ambulances in Action  The 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Wessex Field Ambulances (24th,25th,26th) were based at Remy Siding Lissenhoek, nr. Ypres serving with the 8th Division. The 8th Division of the 5th Army who were engaged in the battle of Pilkhem Ridge in the opening stages of the 3rd battle of Ypres which began on 31st July 1917. The Wessex Field Ambulance established an Advanced Dressing Station at Birr Cross Roads on the Menin Road. The weather turned at the beginning of August and the battlefield turned into a quagmire. It was taking up to six stretcher bearers to bring in one casualty. The War Diary of the 3rd (26th) Wessex Field Ambulance records gas attacks as well as aircraft bombing on the ADS at Birr Cross Roads and casualties in August were horrendous. Pte. Regnald James Brookes Butt was one such casualty having his thigh shattered by a German high velocity shell on the night of 4/5th August, after being called out of reserve to assist another Division's (25th possibly) RAMC unit to pick-up Front Line casualties. 2nd Aug 1917 Message of Congratulation   16th Aug 1917 Into Reserve 17th Aug 1917 Reliefs 14th September 1917 Operational Order   20th September 1917 Operational Order 131 16th Nov 1917 On the Move   24th Dec 1917 Reorganisation 19th of January 1918 Orders 21st Jan 1918 Course 26th Jan 1918 On the Move 3rd Feb 1918 Cleaning up 4th Feb 1918 Inspection 5th Feb 1918 Baths 5th Feb 1918 Course Ends 13th Feb 1918 Personnel 21st Feb 1918 Reorganisation 23rd Mar 1918 Withdrawal 23rd Mar 1918 Fighting Withdrawal   23rd of March 1918 Orders   23rd of March 1918    23rd Mar 1918 Withdrawal   24th Mar 1918 In Defence 24th Mar 1918 Fighting Withdrawal 24th of March 1918 Orders 24th of March 1918 Orders 24th of March 1918 Message 24th of March 1918  24th of March 1918  24th of March 1918 Message 25th Mar 1918 Counter Attack 25th Mar 1918 Holding the Line 25th of March 1918 Orders 25th of March 1918 Orders 26th Mar 1918 Withdrawal 27th Mar 1918 Congratulation Telegram 28th Mar 1918 In Action 28th of March 1918 Orders   29th Mar 1918 Holding the Line 1st of April 1918 Operations   8th of May 1918 Reliefs Complete 17th May 1918 Reliefs 22nd May 1918 Artillery Active 23rd May 1918 Orders 24th May 1918 Reliefs 25th May 1918 In Reserve 26th May 1918 2nd Devons under Attack 26th May 1918 Church Parade 27th May 1918 1st Bty RFA in Heavy Action 27th May 1918 In Action 27th of May 1918 In Action 28th of May 1918 In Action 28th of May 1918 Orders 3rd of June 1918  3rd June 1918 Night Relief 6th of June 1918  12th of June 1918  21st of June 1918  1st July 1918 Training 4th July 1918 On the March 14th July 1918 Reorganisation 15th July 1918 On the March 19th Jul 1918 On the Move 22nd Jul 1918 Reliefs   23rd Jul 1918 Training 27th Jul 1918 Sports 14th of October 1918  31st of October 1918    2nd November 1918 Operational Orders by Captain D.R. Nelson MC.   24th January 1919 Operational Orders No.1. If you can provide any additional information, please add it here. Want to know more about 8th Division? There are:281 items tagged 8th Division 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 Division during the Great War 1914-1918. Adams Frederick. L/Cpl. 8th Btn. (d.30th Sep 1917) Clarke James Francis. L/Cpl. 2nd Btn. (d.11th Nov 1918) Conway Peter. Pte. 8th Division Heavy Trench Mortar, V Battery (d.27th April 1918) Handy Arthur James. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.22nd Mar 1918) Mills Archibald. Pte. D Coy., 8th Btn. Murray Peter. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.25th Mar 1918) O'Neill Thomas. Sgt. 22nd Btn. (d.26th Mar 1918) Ryde Edward George. Sgt. 2nd Btn. D coy. 15 platoon. (d.10th Mar 1915) Stockton Robert. Dvr. 8th Div Train Tyndale George Stafford Hilliard . Lt. 2nd Btn. (d.13th March 1915) Wardhaugh Frank. Rfmn. 8th Btn. (d.30th July 1915) Watson Harold. L/Cpl. 2nd Btn. (d.24th Oct 1916) Watson Ralph Wycliffe. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.18th Aug 1918) All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List 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. 1206473 Dvr. Robert Stockton 8th Div Train Army Service Corps I don't really know any of my Granddads story, but I have his demob papers and know he disembarked in France on 5th November 1914. Robert Stockton served with the Army Service Corps during WW1 and was attached to the 8th Division Train, ASC. He was awarded the 1914 Mons Star, British War and Victory Medals with clasp and roses added in 1938 (I have these papers also). The medals were unfortunately lost. Granddad died in December 1969. I believe he was at one point gassed and also had a limp from being ran over by a horse wagon. Christine Kemp-Hall Add to this record. 1206472 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. Andy Warren Add to this record. 261445 Pte. Archibald Mills D Coy., 8th Btn. Machine Gun Corps Apparently, Archibald Mills originally enlisted (or maybe was conscripted – it’s unclear) as No. 21475 in an unknown battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. His birthdate is shown as 3rd January 1898 at Stenhouse. He would have completed his basic military training with that unit, and might have expected to join one of the active service units of the Argylls but instead, between 23rd and 26th of September 1917, he was compulsorily transferred to the Machine Gun Corps. The MGC had a presence in every brigade of every division serving overseas since the beginning of 1916. At that time, each brigade comprised 4 infantry battalions, each of up to 1,000 men, plus a pioneer battalion, artillery units, a trench mortar company, medical units, Royal Engineers, and Royal Signals. It also had a dedicated machine gun company which took its designation from the brigade in which it served. The company was about 140 strong, fielding 16 Vickers Mk 1 heavy machine guns, manned 6-men to each, plus a transport section of horse- or mule-drawn wagons to bring up fresh supplies of ammunition and spare parts from dumps to the rear of the front line. The duties of a machine-gun company were: to go forward if the infantry was attacking (usually in the second or third wave) to provide fire against counter-attacks; then to defend at all times the infantry and artillery positions; and finally, in the event that the infantry had to withdraw in the face of attack by the enemy, the gunners were expected to remain to the last, to give everyone else time to get out in good order. Hence, MGC casualties were always on the high side. Not for nothing were they known by the squaddies as The Suicide Club. There were three brigades in each division and, therefore, three MG companies in each division. In the spring of 1917, the War Office responded to requests to beef up the fire power by sending out a fourth company that would be independent of the brigades and under the direct control of the brigadier, to be used wherever he saw fit. Archibald underwent a six-week gunnery and tactics course at Belton Park, Grantham and on completion would have been sent out to France, probably by the end of November 1917. He joined No. 218 Company (the "fourth" MG company), which was part of the 8th Division. He may have joined just in time to see his first action at the assault on the Southern Redoubt, Passchendaele on 2nd of December 1917, which marked the end of serious fighting that year, as winter conditions prevented either side from continuing. All then went fairly quiet, and on 20th of January 1918, in common with other divisions of the Western Front, the four machine gun companies in the 8th Division amalgamated to form the 8th Battalion MGC, which was now about 750 strong and fielding 64 machine guns. The old 218th Company became D Company in the new organization. The Division was to remain in the Ypres sector around Passchendaele until 12th of March 1918, when it was relieved in the line and sent to the Somme sector near Longuenesse. Its strength at that point was 37 officers, 777 other ranks, plus 258 horses and mules. The make-up of the 8th Division was then nine infantry battalions: 2nd Devons, 2nd West Yorks, 2nd Middlesex, 1st Worcesters, 1st Notts & Derbys, 2nd Northamptons, 2nd E. Lancs, 2nd R. Berkshires, and 2nd Rifle Brigade, with 22nd Durhams as Pioneers. The situation in the Somme sector was disquieting. In March 1918, the Germans had finally knocked the Russians out of the war, forcing an armistice of the Eastern Front. This enabled them to transfer about 1 million battle-hardened troops to the West, which they concentrated in the Somme. The British Army was under-strength there. Political considerations at home had starved the units of reinforcements. There was a general election due and the Prime Minister, Lloyd George, withheld many young trained soldiers in the hope of keeping the electorate on his side. It was a decision which nearly lost the war. The Germans now outnumbered their opponents at a ratio of about 3:1 and they were about to launch a massive offensive, trying to drive a wedge between the British and French armies, pushing through to the Channel ports and thus knocking Great Britain out of the war before the American Army, now arriving in huge numbers, could tip the balance against them. The 8th Division (with Archibald in D Company, 8th Battalion MGC) was at Harbonnieres, behind the Somme Canal, when the first assaults commenced on 21st of March 1918. All defending divisions were pushed quickly back all along the Somme frontage and by the 29th April the 8th Battalion MGC had lost 23 officers and 410 other ranks. Many of these were initially listed as missing and subsequently found to be POWs. The 8th Division was relieved by the 4th Australian Division. It was clear that the whole Division was in a very poor state and needed to be rested and strongly reinforced. Along with the 21st, 25th, and 50th Divisions, all in a similar state, the 8th was sent to a "quiet" spot in the French lines farther south in the Aisne sector where a build-up of strength and recuperation could take place. The 8th arrived at Fere-en-Tardenois where they were packed like sardines into French trenches on the ridge of high ground known as the Chemin-des-Dames (The Ladies Road), which the French had taken from the Germans at enormous cost in 1917 and was the cause of the near-mutiny in the French Army. The British were of the opinion that the positions held were very bad. They were on ground with a river to the rear and there was no strength-in-depth, a tactic used very successfully by the Brits in March/April on the Somme. There were no trenches further back and no reserve artillery points, but the French would not hear of establishing that system - they would not yield a single yard, although they told the British that there was nothing to fear anyway, that it was a very quiet spot! Unknown to the French and British, the Germans had decided to make an all-out effort to break through to Paris since they had been stopped on the Somme, well short of the Channel ports. They also knew the British were "resting" there and had decided to head straight for them, engaging 12 whole divisions. When the battle started on 27th May 1918, the British units stood no chance. They were quickly overwhelmed and outflanked, and were forced into a headlong retreat in which thousands were killed or taken prisoner. The heaviest blows fell upon the 8th Division, and poor Archy was "in the bag" by the next day, the 28th May 1918. The overall offensive failed after the Germans had captured much ground, but at fearful cost. It would be their last gamble of the war. Fewer than half of the strength of 8th Battalion MGC escaped capture. The POWs from this period were spread among many different camps. Archy was sent to Gustrow Camp, south of Rostock on the Baltic coast. He was released immediately after the Armistice and arrived back in the UK, at Dover, on 1st of December 1918. All returned POWs were given immediate leave unless they required hospital treatment. Archibald Mills was discharged from the Army on 28 March 1919 and went to Class Z Reserve. That meant that the Army regarded him as fit, and liable for recall in an emergency. Stuart Henderson Add to this record. 247151 Lt. George Stafford Hilliard Tyndale 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.13th March 1915) George Tyndale was born in 1895 in Paddington, London, the son of Thomas and Bessie Tyndale and lived in Gunnersbury at 626a High Road, Chiswick. The 1911 census shows him as being at school in Horsham in Sussex and his parents living in Woodhurst Road, Acton, London. He served with the 2nd West India Regiment and was attached to the 2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. George was wounded during this action on the 10th of March 1915 and died of his wounds on the 13th of March 1915, aged 19 years. He is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France and is commemorated on All Saints War Memorial. He is also remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London. Caroline Hunt Add to this record. 241228 Pte. Peter Conway 8th Division Heavy Trench Mortar, V Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (d.27th April 1918) Peter Conway was my mum's cousin, and I have in my possession a 1914-15 Star which my mum passed to me many years ago. I believe there were other medals, but this is the only one I have. Jim McLaughlin Add to this record. 216310 Pte. Peter Murray 2nd Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.25th Mar 1918) Peter Murray served in the 2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales Own) and died age 28 on the 25th March 1918. He is remembered at Brie British Cemetery on Special Memorial 5. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals. Peter was born in Jarrow 1889, son of Patrick and Catherine Murray nee McQuade of Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at 10 Shakespeare Street, Jarrow with Patrick(57) a merchant Marine stoker and his wife of 34 years Catherine(55). They had 5 children with 3 surviving. Two are single and living here, Peter(22)is a general labourer in a slag crushing works and Mary Ann is 20 years old. Vin Mullen Add to this record. 216119 Pte. Ralph Wycliffe Watson 2nd Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.18th Aug 1918) Ralph Wycliffe Watson enlisted at Jarrow and served in the 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment(Prince of Wales Own). He died on the 18th August 1918 and is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph, St. Paul's Church and is buried in Thelus Military Cemetery. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals. It also records earlier service in the Yorkshire Regiment No. 13500. Ralph was born in Tyne Dock 1891, son of Francis Wycliffe and Margaret Ann Watson nee Laughton of Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at 36 Clayton Street, Jarrow. Francis Wycliffe(48) is a ships fitter - engineering and his wife of 25 years Margaret Ann has had 9 children all living at home. Elizabeth Jane(23), at home, Thomas William Wycliffe(21) a Boot Shop Manager, Ralph Wycliffe(18) apprentice ships rivetter, Hannah(15), Sarah Ann(13), George Dundonald(11), Florence(8) and David(6) are all attending school. Norman is 4 years old. Vin Mullen Add to this record. 216099 L/Cpl. Harold Watson 2nd Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.24th Oct 1916) Harold Watson enlisted at Jarrow and served in the 2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment(Prince of Wales Own). He was killed in action age 19 on the 24th October 1916 and is remembered at the Palmer Cenotaph, St. Paul's Church and the Thiepval Memorial . His medal card records he was killed in action and the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals. Harold's older brother George Robert was also among the fallen in 1917. Harold was born in Jarrow 1897 son of David and the late Annie Watson of 81 McIntyre Street, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family were living at that address with his father David(62) widower, fitter in the shipyard, George Robert(24) single, plumber in the shipyard, William(21) also a fitter in the shipyard and Harold(13) still at school. Vin Mullen Add to this record. 216079 Rfmn. Frank Wardhaugh 8th Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.30th July 1915) Frank Wardhaugh, Rifleman 9829, enlisted at Jarrow and served in the 2nd Battalion The Rifle Brigade. He was killed in action age 18 on the 30th July 1915 and is remembered at Palmer Cenotaph, St. Paul's Church and Ypres(Menin Gate) Panel 46 - 48 and 50. His medal car records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals. Frank was born in Jarrow 1896, son of George and Frances Ann Wardhaugh nee Lauder of 62 Albert Road, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at 19 Victor Street, Jarrow with George(44) a joiner in Building Contractors, his wife of 19 years Frances Ann(44) who had 4 children of whom 2 survived. Frank(14) is an office boy in shipbuilders and Janet is 9 years old. Vin Mullen Add to this record. 215848 L/Cpl. James Francis Clarke 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.11th Nov 1918) I am researching the 155 boys of Gordon's Boys Home, Chobham, Woking, Surrey who died in the Great War. The home was for boys of impoverished families to learn a trade and was a natural recruiting ground for the Army. James Francis Clarke was a 15 year old at the school in 1911 learning to be a "Shoemaker". He was born in Farnborough, Hants and his parents are believed to be Thomas and Annie. He enlisted in the Middlesex Regiment in Woking and given the Regimental Number L/13777. The “L” suffix was given to men who signed on for a "long" period of service and the 13777 indicated that he enlisted in about June or July 1911. He was posted to the 2nd Battalion which at the outbreak of war in August 1914 was serving in Malta. They returned to the UK and became part of 23rd Brigade, 8th Division that landed at Le Havre on the 7th November 1814. His service record did not survive the Blitz of WW2 and it can only be assumed that he served his time with the 2nd Batt. James Francis was one of the 863 listed by the CWGC who died on the 11th November 1918 - the last day of the war, and is buried 40 miles behind the front line with 6 others that died that day. He is buried in Brebieres British Cemetery which was made in October and November 1918 and contains 85 burials, 29 of which were later re-internments from other Communal Cemeteries or Churchyards. There are no predominant parts of the Army represented in the cemetery which perhaps indicates that the burials are of men wounded elsewhere. He was awarded the 1914 Star & Clasp and the British War and Victory Medals, there is also a note regarding a “Gordon’s Boys Home Medal” all of which was returned to the Surrey Medal Office in 1959. Presumably his next of kin were never found or the medals claimed by his family. Derek J Goode Add to this record. 214633 Sgt. Thomas O'Neill 22nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.26th Mar 1918) 22/493 Sgt. Thomas O'Neill enlisted at Jarrow and joined the 22nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. The 22nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry were the Division's Pioneers and as such would have been involved in work on trenches, roads, accommodation and trench railways. He died on the 26th March 1918 and is remembered at St. Paul's Church and the Pozieres Memorial Panel 68 to 72. His medal card shows him awarded with the British War and Victory Medals - a pair which was commonly referred to as Mutt and Jeff - again cartoon characters of those times. The date of his death was just before the German Offensive and the great retreat in April 1918 so he was probably killed during defensive preparation works as a Pioneer near the front line. Thomas was born in Jarrow in 1891 and the 1911 census has him living at 45 South Street, Jarrow with his wife Betsy O'Neill nee Sanderson and their daughter Catherine aged 1. He is employed as a labourer in the Platers section of a Boilermaking Works. Vin Mullen Add to this record. 213826 Sgt. Edward George "Bert" Ryde 2nd Btn. D coy. 15 platoon. Middlesex Regiment (d.10th Mar 1915) My Great Uncle Edward George Ryde, known as Bert, served as a professional soldier and was on active service before World War 1. He and many of our family were in it together so all were involved in the war from the beginning. My Grandfather, Private Robert George Taylor (transport)another Great Uncle Sgt. Tom Garrett and Uncle Sgt. William Brooks survived. Bert was killed at Neuve Chapelle and is buried at Le Touret Cemetery. He was married to my Great Aunt Silvia Ryde of Tooting, who never remarried but waited hoping he might one day march home. I suppose many were like that. He was straight as a board, well disciplined and believed in what he was doing for his country. I have updated this data because since originally placing it I have uncovered a lot more information, including his letters home from the trenches, thanks to IWM. Aunt Silv was told he died from machine gun fire as he went over the top of the trench. His tobacco tin, that we are told, was removed from his pocket after death, reveals severe damage and scorching and if true is more likely he was hit by a shell. I now have a letter hand written by another sergeant (Colleopy)to Bert's wife describing how Bert died and contrary to the official date it was on the 10th March 1915. Many at Le Touret are of soldiers who were not found on the battlefield and a whole wall is dedicated to them, however I am told he has a headstone in panel 31 but have not been able to see it. He was a good man like so many who didn't come home. He would have made a positive contribution to his country had he lived. I now have a large portfolio on my Uncle where I started out with nothing. It points to the wonderful benefits these sites bring to long bereaved family members. I also have composed a 24 page document describing my Uncle's service and the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in detail. Robert Edward Taylor Add to this record. 213727 L/Cpl. Frederick Adams MM. 8th Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment (d.30th Sep 1917) Frederick Adams is one of the thousands remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial (Panel 125 to 128)in Belgium. Sadly, online history for the regiment is pretty skinny - I can't even link to the museum and its records. You just get sent round in circles via the Rotherham Council and National Army Museum sites. I should say that the issue is made more complex because I live in Australia so all my research is conducted online. I've tried the National Archives site, but Frederick's name doesn't appear. He was only 21 when he was killed. I'm hoping that by posting my ancestor's name, I will be able to uncover more about his life and service. I have been unable to find out what he received his Military Medal for, but I presume it was awarded for the events that led to his death. Hopefully, I will be able to track down the war diaries one day to find out what his battalion was up to when he was killed. My passion is driven, of course, by the forthcoming 100th anniversary of the outbreak of WWI. To date, I have managed to track down partial histories on six direct descendants - three who were killed during the war and two (including my own grandfather) who died earlier than expected as a consequence of being gassed. My grandad, James Henry Cropper, lost two brothers-in-law in the space of eight days when the Battle of the Somme began on July 1, 1916. Editor's Note: From the date of Frederick's death, 30th September 1917, it is likely he was killed in action in the early stages of the Third Battle of Ypres possibly at Menin Road or Polygon Wood. Ian Cropper Add to this record.

Recomended Reading. Available at discounted prices.

Links Suggest a link

The free section of The Wartime Memories Project is run by volunteers. This website is paid for out of our own pockets, library subscriptions and from donations made by visitors. The popularity of the site means that it is far exceeding available resources and we currently have a huge backlog of submissions. If you are enjoying the site, please consider making a donation, however small to help with the costs of keeping the site running. Hosted by: The Wartime Memories Project Website is archived for preservation by the British Library Copyright MCMXCIX - MMXXIV - All Rights Reserved - We do not permit the use of any content from this website for the training of LLMs or for use in Generative AI, it also may not be scraped for the purpose of creating other websites.