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18th (Eastern) Division    18th (Eastern) Division was established by Eastern Command in September 1914, as part of the Army Orders authorising Kitchener's Second New Army, K2. Early days were difficult, the new volunteers having very few trained officers and NCOs to command them, no organised billets or equipment. The units of the Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved in May 1915 to Salisbury Plain. King George V inspected the Division on 24 June. Embarkation for France began on a month later and the units assembled near Flesselles, completing concentration there five days later. They served on the Western Front for the remainder of the war, taking part in many of the significant actions: 1916 The Battle of Albert - Somme in which the Division captured its objectives near Montauban The Battle of Bazentin Ridge - Somme in which the Division captured Trones Wood The Battle of Delville Wood - Somme The Battle of Thiepval Ridge - Somme The Battle of the Ancre Heights - Somme in which the Division played a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and in the capture of Regina Trench The Battle of the Ancre - Somme 1917 Operations on the Ancre (notably Miraumont and the capture of Irles) The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line The Third Battle of the Scarpe, a phase of the Arras offensive The Battle of Pilkem Ridge - Third Battles of Ypres The Battle of Langemarck - Third Battles of Ypres First Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of Ypres The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of Ypres 1918 The Battle of St Quentin - Somme The Battle of the Avre - Somme The actions of Villers-Brettoneux - Somme The Battle of Amiens The Battle of Albertin - Somme. in which the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and recaptured Trones Wood The Second Battle of Bapaume - Somme The Battle of Epehy - Hindenburg Line The Battle of the St Quentin Canal - Hindenburg Line The Battle of the Selle - Final Advance in Artois The Battle of the Sambre - Final Advance in Artois When the Armistice came into effect at 11am on 11 November 1918 the units of the Division were in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau. Demobilisation began on 10th of December 1918 and by 19th/20th of March 1919 the Division ceased to exist. 18th (Eastern) Division casualties amounted to 46503 killed, wounded and missing, of whom 13727 died and are listed in the Divisional roll of honour held at St James's Church in Colchester. The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 18th (Eastern) Division 53rd Brigade 8th Btn, Norfolk Regiment disbanded February 1918 8th Btn, Suffolk Regiment disbanded February 1918 10th Btn, Essex Regiment 6th Btn, Royal Berkshire Regiment disbanded February 1918 53rd Machine Gun Company joined 13 February 1916, left to move into 18th MG Battalion 16 February 1918 53rd Trench Mortar Battery joined by 17 June 1916 8th Bn, Royal Berkshire Regiment joined February 1918 7th Bn, Royal West Kent Regiment joined February 1918 54th Brigade 10th Btn, Royal Fusiliers left October 1914 11th Btn, Royal Fusiliers 8th Btn, Royal Sussex Regiment left February 1915 12th Btn, Middlesex Regiment disbanded February 1918 6th Btn, Northamptonshire Regiment joined November 1914 7th Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment joined February 1915 54th Machine Gun Company joined 13 February 1916, left to move into 18th MG Battalion 16 February 1918 54th Trench Mortar Battery joined 1 June 1916 2nd Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment joined May 1918 55th Brigade 7th Btn, The Queen's 7th Btn, The Buffs 8th Btn, East Surrey Regiment 7th Btn, Royal West Kent Regiment left February 1918 55th Machine Gun Company joined 13 February 1916, left to move into 18th MG Battalion 16 February 1918 55th Trench Mortar Battery joined 17 June 1916 Divisional Troops 6th Btn, Northamptonshire Regiment left November 1914 10th Btn, Royal Fusiliers joined October 1914, left March 1915 8th Btn, Royal Sussex Regiment joined as Pioneer Bn February 1915 15th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 22 July 1915, left 4 May 1916 18th Battalion Machine Gun Corps formed 16 February 1918 Divisional Mounted Troops C Sqn, Westmorland & Cumberland Yeomanry joined 15 June 1915, left 10 May 1916 18th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps formed 8 December 1914, left 21 May 1916 Divisional Artillery LXXXII Brigade, RFA LXXXIII Brigade, RFA LXXXIV Brigade, RFA left 25 January 1917 LXXXV (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 3 December 1916 18th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA 18th Heavy Battery, RGA raised with the Division but moved independently to Egypt in October 1915 and spent most of the war in Salonika V.18 and W. 18 Heavy Trench Mortar Batteries RFA V Bty formed 28 April 1916; was attached to Fourth Army TM School until 6 May 1916; left for II Corps on 19 February 1918. W Bty formed 21 May 1916, but broken up by 26 November 1916, having by then received no weapons X.18, Y.18 and Z.18 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed by 19 June 1916; by 19 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each Royal Engineers 79th Field Company 80th Field Company 92nd Field Company 18th Divisional Signals Company Royal Army Medical Corps 54th Field Ambulance 55th Field Ambulance 56th Field Ambulance 35th Sanitary Section. left 24 March 1917 Other Divisional Troops 18th Divisional Train ASC 150, 151, 152 and 153 Companies 30th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC 219th Divisional Employment Company joined 3 June 1917 18th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Train 16 April 1916 Oct 1914 On the Move 4th February 1915 Reorganisation July 1915 Appointments 20th Jul 1915 Reorganisation 20th Jul 1915 Preparations 20th July 1915 Clothing 21st July 1915 Maps 22nd Jul 1915 Orders 22nd July 1915 Orders Received 23rd Jul 1915 Address 23rd July 1915 Ammunition 24th July 1915 On the Move 24th July 1915 On the Move 24th July 1915 On the Move 25th Jul 1915 On the Move 25th Jul 1915 Orders Received 25th July 1915 On the Move 25th July 1915 On the Move 26th Jul 1915 On the Move   26th Jul 1915 Transport Departs 26th Jul 1915 On the Move 26th July 1915 On the Move 26th July 1915 On the Move 27th Jul 1915 On the March 27th Jul 1915 Concentration 27th Jul 1915 On the Move 27th Jul 1915 On the Move 27th July 1915 On the March 27th July 1915 On the March 28th Jul 1915 Visitor 28th Jul 1915 On the March 28th Jul 1915 On the Move 28th July 1915 Conference 28th July 1915 In Billets 29th July 1915 Visit 29th Jul 1915 Concentration 29th Jul 1915 On the Move 29th July 1915 Training 30th July 1915 On the Move 30th Jul 1915 In Billets 30th July 1915 Orders 30th July 1915 Training 30th July 1915 In Action 31st July 1915 Orders 31st July 1915 Conference 1st August 1915 Conference 1st Aug 1915 Conference 2nd Aug 1915 Inspection   2nd Aug 1915 On the March   3rd Aug 1915 Instruction 3rd Aug 1915 Orders Received   4th August 1915 Liaison 4th of August 1915  Inspections 4th Aug 1915 Instruction   5th Aug 1915 Orders 5th Aug 1915 Inspection 5th Aug 1915 Instruction   6th Aug 1915 Instruction 6th Aug 1915 On the March 6th of August 1915 Quiet Night 6th Aug 1915 Instruction   7th Aug 1915 On the March 7th Aug 1915 Instruction   8th Aug 1915 On the March 8th Aug 1915 Instruction   9th Aug 1915 Instruction 9th Aug 1915 Instruction   10th Aug 1915 Instruction 10th Aug 1915 Instruction   11th Aug 1915 Instruction 11th Aug 1915 Instruction   12th Aug 1915 Instruction 12th Aug 1915 On the March   13th August 1915 Instruction 13th Aug 1915 Instruction 13th of August 1915 Instruction   13th Aug 1915 On the March 14th Aug 1915 Thunder 14th Aug 1915 Instruction 15th Aug 1915 Trench Instruction 16th August 1915 Artillery 16th Aug 1915 Instruction 17th Aug 1915 Organisation 17th Aug 1915 In Billets 18th Aug 1915 Move 18th Aug 1915 In Billets 19th August 1915 Move 19th Aug 1915 On the March 20th Aug 1915 Orders 20th Aug 1915 In Billets 20th of August 1915 Quiet Night   21st Aug 1915 In Billets 22nd August 1915 Reliefs 22nd Aug 1915 On the March 22nd of August 1915 Hostile Balloons   23rd Aug 1915 Inspection 23rd Aug 1915 Orders 23rd of August 1915  Normal Situation   24th Aug 1915 Reliefs Completed 24th August 1915 Reliefs Complete 24th Aug 1915 Instruction 24th Aug 1915 Orders Received 25th August 1915 Reliefs Complete 25th Aug 1915 Reserve and Support 25th of August 1915 Hostile Marsh Patrol   26th Aug 1915 Mines 26th Aug 1915 Mine 26th Aug 1915 Reserve and Support 26th of August 1915  Reliefs   27th Aug 1915 Saps 27th Aug 1915 Saps 27th Aug 1915 Reserve and Support 28th Aug 1915 Working Parties 28th Aug 1915 Reinforcements 29th Aug 1915 Orders Received 30th Aug 1915 Reliefs 31st Aug 1915 Snipers 1st Sep 1915 Mine Exploded 2nd Sep 1915 Trench Work 3rd Sep 1915 Shelling 4th Sep 1915 Reliefs 5th Sep 1915 Reliefs   6th Sep 1915 Much Work Needed   8th Sep 1915 Draft arrives   8th Sep 1915 Inspection 9th Sep 1915 Enemy Holding Mine Crater   10th Sep 1915 Under Fire   10th Sep 1915 Instruction   10th of September 1915  Enemy Hit Dummy Battery   11th Sep 1915 12th Lancs Fusiliers under instruction   11th of September 1915 Moves 11th Sep 1915 Instruction   12th Sep 1915 Mine Detonated   13th Sep 1915 Enemy Snipers Approach   13th of September 1915 Artillery Moves 13th of September 1915 RFA Moves 13th Sep 1915 Mines Explode   14th of September 1915  Both Sides Retaliate   15th Sep 1915 Snipers & Artillery less Active   15th Sep 1915 Instruction   16th Sep 1915 Reliefs   16th Sep 1915 Reliefs   16th of September 1915 Reliefs   17th of September 1915 Advance Units Arrive   17th of September 1915 German Post Hit   26th Sep 1915 Reliefs   26th Sep 1915 Reliefs 27th Sep 1915 In Trenches   27th Sep 1915 Shelling 28th Sep 1915 Shelling 29th Sep 1915 Trenches Under Shellfire   29th Sep 1915 Enemy Active 30th Sep 1915 Enemy Transport 1st Oct 1915 10th Essex in Trenches   1st of October 1915 Snipers Active   2nd Oct 1915 Stand to 3rd Oct 1915 Some Shelling 4th Oct 1915 Some Shelling 5th Oct 1915 Some Shelling 6th Oct 1915 Reliefs Complete 7th Oct 1915 Reliefs   7th Oct 1915 Quiet 15th Oct 1915 Reliefs   16th Oct 1915 Reliefs 16th Oct 1915 Mine Exploded   17th of October 1915 Reliefs   17th Oct 1915 Working Parties   18th Oct 1915 Shelling   19th of October 1915  Transport Heard   19th Oct 1915 Mine Exploded   20th Oct 1915 Mine Exploded   21st Oct 1915 Exchange of Fire   22nd Oct 1915 Shelling   23rd Oct 1915 Quiet 23rd Oct 1915 Reliefs   24th Oct 1915 Mystery 24th Oct 1915 Practice 25th Oct 1915 Very Cold 25th Oct 1915 Inspection 26th of October 1915 Germans Search Road 26th Oct 1915 Artillery Active 27th Oct 1915 Working Parties 27th Oct 1915 Visit   28th Oct 1915 Working Parties 29th Oct 1915 Visit   31st Oct 1915 Poor Conditions   1st Nov 1915 Trench Work 2nd Nov 1915 Trench Work 6th Nov 1915 Poor Conditions 14th of November 1915 A Flag Removed   15th Nov 1915 Reliefs 21st of November 1915 Patrol   22nd Nov 1915 Enemy Mine Explodes   23nd Nov 1915 Reliefs 24th Nov 1915 Snow 30th Nov 1915 Reliefs 1st December 1915 In the trenches 1st Dec 1915 Fatigues 7th Dec 1915 Reliefs 8th Dec 1915 Instruction 12th Dec 1915 Artillery Active 15th Dec 1915 Reliefs 26th of December 1915 Tit-for-Tat Shelling   26th Dec 1915 Reliefs   27th Dec 1915 Holding the Line   28th Dec 1915 Straffing   29th of December 1915 Heavies Busy   29th Dec 1915 Shelling   30th Dec 1915 Quiet   31st Dec 1915 Celebrations   24th July 1915 On the Move 5th January 1916 Relieved 32nd Regt, 18th Division ( French Infantry ) 1st April 1916 Inspection 2nd April 1916 Back Areas 3rd April 1916 Inspection 4th April 1916 Quiet 5th April 1916 Shelling 6th April 1916 Visit 7th April 1916 Conference 8th April 1916 Weather Fine 9th April 1916 Shelling 10th April 1916 Front Line Trenches 11th April 1916 Quiet 12th April 1916 Quiet 13th April 1916 Bombardment 14th April 1916 Command 15th April 1916 Aircraft Down 16th Apr 1916 Aircraft Active   16th April 1916 Visit 17th April 1916 Artillery Active 24th Apr 1916 Defences   25th Apr 1916 Working Parties   27th Apr 1916 Artillery Active   7th May 1916 Appointment 8th May 1916 Training 9th May 1916 Training 10th May 1916 Departure 11th May 1916 Training & Sports 12th May 1916 Visit 13th May 1916 Training 14th May 1916 Training Discussed 15th May 1916 Training 16th May 1916 Training 17th May 1916 Training 18th May 1916 Training 19th May 1916 Training 20th May 1916 Training 21st May 1916 Orders 22nd May 1916 Visits 23rd May 1916 Training Ground 24th May 1916 Review 25th May 1916 Reliefs commence 26th May 1916 Training 27th May 1916 Training Area 28th May 1916 Sports 29th May 1916 Demonstration 30th May 1916 Visit 31st May 1916 Training 1st June 1916 Training 2nd June 1916 Training 3rd June 1916 Training 3rd Jun 1916 Training 4th June 1916 Trenches Inspected 5th June 1916 Visits 6th June 1916 Training 6th Jun 1916 Training 7th June 1916 Training 7th Jun 1916 Training 8th June 1916 Orders issued 9th June 1916 Orders 10th June 1916 Moves 10th Jun 1916 On the Move 11th June 1916 Training 11th Jun 1916 On the March   12th June 1916 Wet and Cold 12th Jun 1916 Working Parties   13th June 1916 Training 13th Jun 1916 Working Parties   14th June 1916 Training Programme 14th Jun 1916 Working Parties   15th June 1916 Training 15th Jun 1916 Working Parties   16th June 1916 Training 16th Jun 1916 Relief Complete 17th June 1916 Training 17th Jun 1916 Reliefs 18th June 1916 Training 18th Jun 1916 Working Parties 19th June 1916 Visits 19th Jun 1916 In Billets 20th June 1916 Visit 20th Jun 1916 Reliefs 21st June 1916 Orders Issued 21st Jun 1916 Artillery in Action 22nd June 1916 Operations Discussed 22nd Jun 1916 Artillery in Action 23rd June 1916 Preparations 23rd Jun 1916 Reliefs 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. 24th June 1916 Wire Cutting 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. 25th June 1916 Bombardment 26th June 1916 Trench Raid 27th June 1916 Bombardment 28th June 1916 Bombardment 29th June 1916 Bombardment 30th June 1916 Trench Raid 30th Jun 1916 Move Up   1st Jul 1916 Montauban Captured 1st Jul 1916 In Action 1st Jul 1916 In Action   1st Jul 1916 Medical Arrangements   1st Jul 1916 Attack Made 1st July 1916 Attack   1st Jul 1916 In Action   1st Jul 1916 Consolidation   2nd Jul 1916 Communication Lost 2nd Jul 1916 In Action   3rd Jul 1916 Trench Work 3rd Jul 1916 In Action   4th Jul 1916 Resting 4th Jul 1916 In Action   5th Jul 1916 Burying the Dead 5th Jul 1916 Reliefs   7th Jul 1916 Attack Made 7th Jul 1916 Reliefs Completed 13th Jul 1916 Reliefs 13th Jul 1916 Attack Made 14th Jul 1916 Wood Captured 19th Jul 1916 Hard Fighting 19th Jul 1916 In Action   20th Jul 1916 In Action   24th Jul 1916 On the Move 26th of July 1916 Orders 29th Jul 1916 On the Move 20th September 1916 Ongoing support action   Trench Positions - 23rd Sep 1916 6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment 20th to 26th September 1916 - Battalion in reserve at Donnets Post. Employed on fatigues in connection with coming operations. 25th September - 1 OR killed in Avelyn carrying ammunition. 26th September - 1235 - Attack in Thiepval by the 18th and 11th Divisions. Battalion in Brigade reserve moves up at 1235 to old support line Ration Trench. Point 80, Point 39. 1620 - Battalion moves to old firing lines Brimstone and Border Trenches to Constance Trench at 2200. war diaries 26th Sep 1916 On the Move 26th Sep 1916 In Action 26th September 1916 Diary   27th Sep 1916 Village Captured 27th September 1916 Diary   28th Sep 1916 Attack Made 29th Sep 1916 Attack Made 18th Nov 1916 Advance 21st Nov 1916 Reliefs 26th Feb 1917 Reliefs   19th of May 1917 Orders   31st Jul 1917 In Action   3rd Aug 1917 Heavy Rain   4th Aug 1917 Enemy Active   5th Aug 1917 Recce Patrol   6th Aug 1917 Reliefs   7th Aug 1917 Strong Points   7th of August 1917 Heavy Shelling   8th Aug 1917 Reliefs   9th Aug 1917 At Rest 10th Aug 1917 Advance 10th Aug 1917 Attack Made   11th Aug 1917 Reliefs   12th Aug 1917 Difficult Relief 13th Aug 1917 In Billets 14th Aug 1917 Reorganisation 14th Aug 1917 In Billets 15th Aug 1917 Orders   16th Aug 1917 On the March   1st Sep 1917 Training 2nd Sep 1917 Musketry   3rd Sep 1917 Exercise   4th Sep 1917 Exercise   5th Sep 1917 Exercise   7th Sep 1917 Training and Football   8th Sep 1917 Exercise   6th October 1917 C.O. 7th Tank Regt. went round to H.Q. 18th Division 12th Oct 1917 Attack Made 1st of November 1917 Warning 2nd of November 1917 Orders 3rd of November 1917 Orders   6th of November 1917 Barrage 7th of November 1917 Reorganisation 24th Dec 1917 Reorganisation 21st Jan 1918 Course 5th Feb 1918 Sports 5th Feb 1918 Course Ends 8th Feb 1918 On the Move 9th Feb 1918 On the March 13th Feb 1918 Personnel 16th Feb 1918 On the Move 19th Feb 1918 Reorganisation 20th Feb 1918 Training & Recce 21st Feb 1918 Training 21st Feb 1918 Reorganisation 22nd Feb 1918 Training 23rd Feb 1918 Move 24th Feb 1918 Reliefs 25th Feb 1918 Reliefs   26th Feb 1918 Quiet   26th Feb 1918 Reliefs Complete 27th Feb 1918 Quiet   27th Feb 1918 In the Line 28th Feb 1918 Quiet   28th Feb 1918 Enemy Active   1st Mar 1918 Quiet   1st Mar 1918 In the Line 2nd Mar 1918 Quiet   2nd Mar 1918 Holding the Line 6th Mar 1918 Quiet   9th Mar 1918 Quiet   10th Mar 1918 Trench Raid   11th Mar 1918 Conference   12th Mar 1918 Reliefs 13th Mar 1918 In Reserve   14th Mar 1918 Working Parties   15th Mar 1918 Quiet   15th Mar 1918 Working Parties   16th Mar 1918 Working Parties   17th Mar 1918 Working Parties   18th Mar 1918 Working Parties   19th Mar 1918 Quiet   19th Mar 1918 Enemy Aircraft   20th Mar 1918 Orders   20th Mar 1918 Stand to   21st Mar 1918 Enemy Attacks   21st Mar 1918 Thick Mist   22nd Mar 1918 Enemy Attacks   22nd Mar 1918 Withdrawal 23rd Mar 1918 Fighting Withdrawal   23rd Mar 1918 Enemy Advance   23rd Mar 1918 Further Back 24th Mar 1918 Fighting Withdrawal   24th Mar 1918 Pushed Back 25th Mar 1918 Fighting Withdrawal 25th Mar 1918 Withdrawal 26th Mar 1918 Reorganisation 26th Mar 1918 On the Move 27th Mar 1918 Praise 27th Mar 1918 Defence 27th Mar 1918 On the Move 28th Mar 1918 Orders 28th Mar 1918 At Rest 29th Mar 1918 On the Move 29th Mar 1918 On the Move 30th Mar 1918 On the Move 30th Mar 1918 Defence 31st Mar 1918 In Defence   31st Mar 1918 Reinforcements 5th Apr 1918 Shelling 6th Apr 1918 Concert 16th of April 1918 French Support Arrives   22nd May 1918 On the Move 25th of June 1918 WO95/1510/4   3rd Sep 1918 Retreat 30th Sep 1918 Reliefs 30th of September 1918 Orders   30th of September 1918 Orders 1st of October 1918 Orders   2nd of October 1918 Orders   2nd of October 1918 Orders   2nd of October 1918 Orders   5th of October 1918 Orders   6th of October 1918 Orders   7th of October 1918 Orders   12th of October 1918 Orders   13th of October 1918    16th of October 1918    17th of October 1918  17th of October 1918    18th of October 1918  19th of October 1918    20th of October 1918  21st of October 1918    21st of October 1918  21st of October 1918  22nd of October 1918 Inspection 22nd of October 1918 Orders   23rd October 1918 Quiet 28th of October 1918 Orders 28th of October 1918    29th of October 1918 Orders   29th of October 1918 Orders 3rd of November 1918 Orders   3rd of November 1918  4th of November 1918 Orders   12th of November 1918 Report   14th of November 1918 Report If you can provide any additional information, please add it here. Want to know more about 18th (Eastern) Division? There are:484 items tagged 18th (Eastern) 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 18th (Eastern) Division during the Great War 1914-1918. Melsom Harold. Pte. 12th Btn. (d.5th Jul 1916) Osborne Albert. Pte. 11th Btn. Walker Roland Alex. Pte. 8th Btn. (d.8th 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? 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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. 1206590 Pte. Harold Melsom 12th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.5th Jul 1916) Harold Melsom was born in Castle Combe, Wiltshire, 18th July 1890 and baptised on 7th September 1890, St. Andrew's Parish Church, Castle Combe, Wiltshire. He was killed in action at Mametz Wood, near Albert, Somme, Northern France, Wednesday 5th July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme which commenced on 1st July 1916. He had formerly served as 14334 Hussars of the Line (probably 10th Royal Hussars (Princess of Wales Own)). He was unmarried and lived in Bybridge Cottages, Castle Combe, Wiltshire. His father George Melsom, born 1851, died 3rd December 1918 was a Plasterer and Tiler. His mother, Elizabeth Sarah Melsom formerly Tylee, born 1853, Market Lavington, died 10th March 1914. Haolds sblings were: Albert born 1882, died 13th March 1942. Frederick born 1883, Died 22nd May 1943, Vancouver, Canada. Ethel Eliza born 1886, died ? Harold Melsom is buried at Dantzig Alley C.W.G.C. Cemetery, which is east of Mametz, Somme, Northern France, Dantzig Alley was originally the site of a German trench. Harold had a friend, Private Reginald Stanley James, also from Castle Combe, who died of wounds on the Somme on 1st July 1916 aged 22. He was the son of Mr. F. and Mrs. E. James of Castle Combe. Reginald is buried at Dive Copse C.W.G.C. Cemetery, which is north of Sailly-le-Sec, Somme, which is 20km east of Amiens, Plot 2, Row A, Grave 15, once the site of a main dressing station commanded by an officer called Dive. The dressing station was located behind the Cross of Sacrifice. Reg enlisted with Harold at Bristol (then in Gloucestershire), his service number in the 10th Hussars is consecutive to Harold's being 14335, so it is very likely they served together in both regiments. They were both members of the 12th Middlesex (Service) Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) known as 'The Diehards'. The regiment was formed at Mill Hill, London in August 1914. Harold enlisted at Bristol, Gloucestershire. In May 1915 the regiment moved to Codford on Salisbury Plain for training with respect to the imminent move to France (Codford St. Mary and Codford St. Peter are situated just off the A36 between Warminster and Salisbury in Wiltshire). The 12th Middlesex Regiment subsequently sailed to France landing at Le Havre on 26th July 1915. On the 1st January 1916 under the command of Lt. Col. H. P. Osbourne, the regiment was billeted at Meaulte which is south east of Albert. On the 8th January 1916, the 12th Middlesex Regiment moved forward to the front line taking over the trenches in the D1 sector south of Fricourt (east of Albert). On the 5th March 1916 the battalion moved via Corbie (east of Amiens)and Bray sur Somme (south east of Albert) relieving the 2nd Battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment in the A1 sector. Lt. Col. Osbourne had been evacuated sick, and his Second in Command, Major M. C. Scarborough took over temporary command of the Regiment. On the 2nd April 1916, Lt. Col. Osbourne returned to the regiment and re-assumed command. On the the 11th June the Regiment entrained at Mericourt (north east of Amiens) for Picquigny (north west of Amiens) where they trained in specially constructed trenches. They returned to Grove Town, Meaulte on the 26th June 1916. On the 28th June at 08:15 p.m. the 12th Middlesex Regiment moved from Bray sur Somme to Carnoy, taking over the front line trenches north of the village from the 7th Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment. On the night of the 30th June at 10:30 p.m. the Regiment was itself relieved by the 11th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, and the 12th Middlesex returned to dugouts at Carnoy. When the Battle of the Somme commenced on 1st July 1916, the 12th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment was therefore waiting in reserve. The Commanding Officer at the time of Harold's death was Lt. Colonel Frank Maxwell V.C., C.S.I., D.S.O. (Victoria Cross, Companion of the Order of the Star of India, Companion of the Distinguished Service Order). He had taken over command of the 12th Middlesex Regiment on the 31st May 1916. Lt. Col. Maxwell had won the Victoria Cross at Sanna's Post during the South African Campaign (Boer War) on the 31st March 1900. When Frank Maxwell was appointed Commanding Officer of the 12th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, his personality exerted a tonic effect upon the morale and fighting qualities of the Battalion. In temperament, and in every other attribute, physical and mental, Lt. Col. Maxwell was fitted for the task assigned to him. There was a steely quality in his personal bravery that seemed accentuated by the almost studied tranquillity of his speech and general manner. Frank Maxwell was killed by snipers whilst reconnoitring in No Man's Land near Ypres, Belgium on 21st September 1917. At the time of his death he was a Brigadier General in command of the 21st Infantry Brigade of the 9th Division. He was aged 46 and is buried at Ypres Reservoir C.W.G.C. Cemetery, north west of Ypres, Belgium, Plot 1, Row A, Grave 37. A memorial to Brigadier General Frank Maxwell can be seen in St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh. He was the son of Thomas Maxwell M.D. and Violet Sophia Maxwell and the husband of Charlotte Alice Hamilton Maxwell. The 12th Middlesex Regiment was a volunteer regiment and part of Lord Kitchener's 'New Army'. Volunteers such as Harold received one shilling per day. Conscription was introduced in the U.K. in January 1916, but initially only for batchelors. The 12th Middlesex Regiment was an infantry regiment and formed part of the 54th Brigade along with the 11th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, 7th Battalion Bedford, and the 6th Battalion Northampton Regiments. The 12th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment was eventually disbanded on the 13th February 1919. The 54th Brigade was part of the 18th (Eastern) Division, New Army, commanded by Major General F. I. (Ivor) Maxse. The 18th Division Headquarters was at Carnoy, and the Division formed part of XIII Corps. The Officers commanding the XIII Corps were: General Officer Commanding: Lt. General W. N. Congreve V.C. Brigadier-General General Staff: Brigadier-General W. H. Greenly. Brigadier-General Royal Artillery: Brigadier-General R. St. C. Lecky. The XIII Corps in turn formed part of the Fourth Army. The Fourth Army Headquarters was at Querrieux Chateau, which is north east of Amiens. The Officers commanding the Fourth Army were; General Officer Commanding: General Sir Henry Seymour Rawlinson Bt. K.C.B. K.C.V.O. Major-General General Staff: Major-General A. A. Montgomery. Deputy-Adjutant and Quartermaster-General: Major-General H. C. Holman. Major-General Royal Artillery: Major-General C. E. D. Budworth. Chief Engineer: Major-General R. U. H. Buckland. Deputy-Director Signals: Colonel R. G. Earle. The Commander in Chief of the British Army in France was General (later Field Marshall 1st Earl Haig of Bemersyde) Sir Douglas Haig. His Chief of Staff was Lt. General Sir Launcelot E ('Kigg') Kiggell, and the Major General of the Royal Artillery was Major General J. F. N. Birch. The General Headquarters for the British Expeditionary Force in France was at Montreuil near Etaples/Le Touquet. A statue still stands in the Town Hall Square at Montreuil, of General Haig on horseback, commemorating the fact that his General Headquarters were based in the town throughout the war. The objective of the 18th Division at the Battle of the Somme which commenced on the 1st July 1916 was to capture a German trench called 'Montauban Alley' which ran to the rear and south of the village of Montauban. The Corps heavy artillery, combined with that of the French Corps on the right, was greatly superior to that of the Germans in this sector, by a ratio of nearly four to one. The course of the artillery barrage laid down that day would practically destroy the German Artillery. On the 1st july 1916 the Battalion had a strength of 21 officers and 820 other ranks. The Second in Command to Lt. Col. Maxwell was Major M. C. Scarborough. the four Company Commanders were: A Company Captain L. H. Methuen B Company Captain G. L. Harrisan C Company Lieutenant A. E. West D Company Captain A. C. Davies Saturday the 1st July dawned a very hot day. No smoke was laid down to cover the advance of the British Infantry. On the front of the 18th Division, two mines below the enemy's front trench at la Boiselle were fired at 07:27 a.m., while a flame-thrower had been set up to assist the assault on the right. At Zero hour the attacking battalions crossed No Man's Land against some opposition, running up against the main German resistance at their support trench and the castle. Fighting all the way, the infantry of the 18th Division pushed the Germans back trench by trench in a series of battles involving grenades, machine guns and bayonets. By 08:30 a.m. most of the division's first objectives had been taken, but the enemy was stubbornly resisting in the centre. Nevertheless, an attack on the Pommiers Redoubt was launched, and this was taken after fierce hand-to-hand fighting. The parties of German troops holding up the centre of the 18th Division's assault were by now becoming aware of the situation on their flanks, which had been well turned. Some began to fall back, some to surrender, but some remained to fight. Trench by trench the British advanced, until by late afternoon contact had been established with the 30th Division, and the whole of the 18th Division objective had been captured. The day's fighting had cost XIII Corps just over 6000 casualties, but mercifully it was possible to evacuate the wounded speedily. Most of the wounded of the 18th Division were taken back to the village of Carnoy, and the village square was used as a casualty clearing station. Throughout the first day of battle, the 12th Battalion Middlesex Regiment had been kept in dugouts in Carnoy. At 08:30 p.m. Lt. Col. Maxwell moved up to the Battalion Headquarters at Piccadilly in the old British front line. At 12:45 a.m. the Middlesex Regiment moved up into the forming-up trenches. Shortly afterwards crossing No Man's Land to the old German front line. The Companies took up the following positions: A and B Companies each had two platoons in Bund Trench, and A Company two more platoons in Emden Trench on the right of the Triangle, and B Company had two more platoons in the same trench, but on the left of the Triangle; C company was in Austrian Support Trenches, and D Company in Austrian front line. The enemy's barrage was still falling, but it was weak and not very accurate. On Companies taking up their positions, they began consolidating. The hostile trenches were much damaged and in places obliterated. Dead Germans were everywhere, and some prisoners taken from dugouts were obviously much shaken and almost incoherent. At this point one officer, 2nd Lieutenant R. H. Hudlestone was killed, two other officers wounded, three other ranks killed, 27 wounded and four missing. There was little activity on Sunday 2nd July and the British Divisions were able to reorganize and reinforce as well as pushing forward supplies and ammunition. During the daylight hours of the 2nd July, the 12th Middlesex Regiment remained in the same positions. At 08:30 p.m. the Battalion was ordered to relieve the 11th Royal Fusiliers in the advanced trenches. Companies took up the following postions: A Company in White Trench, B and C Companies in Beetle Alley, and D Company in Maple Trench from the junction of Black Alley to Strong Point No. 5 inclusive. Lt. Col. Maxwell's headquarters were in Black Alley. The relief was completed by about 01:30 a.m. on Monday 3rd July. Casualties that day were one officer and four other ranks wounded. The 12th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment was now south of Caterpillar and Mamtez Woods. XIII Corps spent Monday 3rd July in consolidation. Patrols discovered Bernafay Wood to be still undefended, and at 09:00 p.m. supported by a 20 minute barrage, two battalions of the 9th Scottish Division, New Army, entered and took possession of the wood. Throughout the 3rd July the 12th Middlesex Regiment remained in the same positions, all Companies consolidating the line. In the evening B and C Companies set to work to dig a communication trench between White Trench and Beetle Alley. The enemy shelled both the latter trenches during the day, but his shell fire was weak and not very effective: 2nd Lieutenant Souster and two other ranks were wounded. At night D Company was withdrawn from Maple Trench and took over Strong Points from the 6th Northamptonshire Regiment. The weather, which had been fine apart from the occasional thunderstorms, broke on Tuesday 4th July. Heavy rain filled the trenches and turned tracks into quagmires. The shell torn ground absorbed the downpour, melting tracts of marshland. The 4th of July passed without incident, but during the evening the dispositions on the Companies were again slightly altered: A Company remained in White Trench, B Company was in Montauban Alley, between Caterpillar Trench, and Pommiers Redoubt, with four strong points in the Caterpillar Trench, one at the junction of Loop Trench and Montauban Alley and one at White Trench. These posts were garrisoned with one Vickers gun and section. Caterpillar Wood, reported empty by the Royal Flying Corps, was occupied by the 18th Division on the 4th July and the division also recovered five abandoned German field guns while taking possession of a section of enemy trench near the wood. C Company, 12th Middlesex Regiment was in Caterpillar Wood with two sections and one Vickers gun. D Company was in Pommiers Trench with a strong point at the loop. By nightfall troops of the 18th Division had occupied Marlboro Wood, 500 yards beyond Caterpillar Wood. The 12th Middlesex now held part of the 53rd Brigade front as well as the front line of their own Brigade, the 54th. According to the official regimental history of the 12th Battalion the Middlesex Regiment, 'Diehards in the Great War', a copy of which is available for reading at the Imperial War Museum, Wednesday 5th July, the day Harold Melsom was killed, was a quiet day with little enemy action. Only the occasional enemy shell bursting overhead, though hostile shelling was at times heavy. Patrol work was carried out each night. It is though at present that Harold was killed by an enemy shell or shrapnel. It may be possible to learn more on our visit to the cemetery in France. Often in a book kept at the cemetery, a description is given of how the person died and also can often be found a personal message from the next of kin. Next of kin were also permitted a single line message on the headstone and again it will be interesting to see if this was done. The Middlesex Regimental museum at New Malden in Surrey was closed in 1992 on the death of the curator (information can be obtained on 0181 949 7605). All artifacts were transferred to the National Army Museum in Chelsea where several showcases are dedicated to the Middlesex Regiment. Other items of interest have been spread throughout the museum. The Middlesex Regiment was amalgamated in 1966 to form the Queen's Regiment with other home counties regiments. This was also later amalgamated to form The Princess of Wales Royal Regiment based at Howe Barracks, Canterbury, Kent. The Regimental museum is at Dover Castle and a display here includes several items from the Middlesex Regiment. However there are few items of interest. Peter Melsom Add to this record. 253810 Pte. Roland Alex Walker 8th Btn. Royal Berkshire Regiment (d.8th Aug 1918) Roland Walker of the 8th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment. was killed in action on the 8th of August 1918 aged 24 He joined the army in 1915, and went from home to Reading and joined Princess Charlotte of Wales Regiment, better known as the Royal Berkshire Regiment. He was posted to the 8th Battalion. After training he was sent to France and his unit was attached to No 1 Brigade of the 1st Division, later becoming part of the 18th (Eastern) Division. His unit went to France in August 1915 and fought at the battle of Loos in that year. In 1916 at the Somme campaign they fought at Delville Wood, Thiepval and Ancre. The following year they were at Passchendaele and Scarpe. In the final year of the war they were involved in the German Spring offensive, Operation Michael. Then in August 1918 Roland's Battalion took part in a number of battles that became known as the 100 days, as the German forces were driven back towards the final positions they occupied when the armistice was announced. His unit was stationed near the city of Amiens, at a small village called Lempire. On 8th August his unit was ordered to attack enemy positions at 11.00, which they did successfully in thick fog, clearing the enemy positions by the evening. Seven Allied divisions, aided by tanks had attacked the German positions taking them by surprise, and it is believed it was at this time that Roland was killed. His body was never recovered and he was one of 12 men who were reported as missing. He is commemorated on the memorial at Vis-en-Artois cemetery which bears the names of over 9000 men who fell in the period 8th August to 11th November and have no known grave. Medals Awarded: British War Medal, Victory Medal, 1915 Star Michael Add to this record. 220732 Pte. Albert Osborne 11th Btn. Royal Fusiliers My grandfather Albert Osborne enlisted 3rd September 1914 served with the 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers during WW1. He transfered to the Army Reserve on 28th March 1919. His Certificate of Employment listed his Military Qualifications as Musketry Class 1. He then served in Heavy Rescue from 1940 to 1946 Neil Clark Add to this record.

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