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The King's Own Royal (Lancaster) Regiment
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World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar greatThe King's Own Royal (Lancaster) Regiment
The King's Own Royal (Lancaster) Regiment can be traced back to the Earl of Plymouth's Regiment of Foot formed in 1680.
Battalions during the Great War
- 1st Battalion
- 2nd Battalion
- 3rd Battalion
- 1/4th Battalion
- 2/4th Battalion
- 3/4th Battalion
- 1/5th Battalion
- 2/5th Battalion
- 3/5th Battalion
- 6th (Service) Battalion
- 7th (Service) Battalion
- 8th (Service) Battalion
- 9th (Service) Battalion
- 10th (Reserve) Battalion
- 11th (Reserve) Battalion
- 12th Battalion
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Dec 2011
Please note we currently have a large 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.
Those known to have served with The King's Own Royal (Lancaster) Regiment during the Great War.
Select a story link or scroll down to browse those stories hosted on this site.
- Pte. Albert E. Bowder (d.19th Oct 1916) Read their Story.
- Pte. Richard Brannick (d.13th Oct 1915) Read their Story.
- Pte. John Carke (d.8th May 1915)
- Private Robert Cartmell Read their Story.
- Private Henry Chappell (d.20th Oct 1914) Read their Story.
- Hertbert Dutton Read their Story.
- Rfm. John Edmondson (d.1st Nov 1918) Read their Story.
- Pte. Jonathan Fielding (d.13th Sep 1915)
- Pte. Thomas Gabbitas (d.9th Apr 1917) Read their Story.
- Cpl. William Green (d.10th Sep 1916) Read their Story.
- Sjt. James Edward Grinham DCM. Read their Story.
- 2nd Lt. Leslie William Hawkins Read their Story.
- Albert Holmes
- Second Lieutenant George Rowland Howson (d.9th April,1917) Read their Story.
- L/Cpl George Edward Hughes
- L/Cpl William John Irvine
- Pte. James Kershaw
- Lt Gerald Kirk Read their Story.
- Pte. Joseph Mingham Read their Story.
- Pte. Joseph Mingham Read their Story.
- Pte. G. Morear (d.11th Jun 1917)
- John Joseph O'Brien Read their Story.
- Sjt. William Edmund Pittaway (d.24th Mar 1917) Read their Story.
- Pte. William Ratcliffe Read their Story.
- Pte. Alfred K Robinson Read their Story.
- Pte. J. Sloan
- Pte. A. Smith (d.13th Jun 1917)
- L/Cpl Thomas James Welsh Read their Story.
- John William Lancelot Wright Read their Story.
If you have any names to add to this list, or any recollections or photos of those listed, please get in touch.
L/Cpl Thomas James Welsh 1st Btn. Kings Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
My Grandfather Thomas James Welsh was in the 1st Battalion Kings Loyal Lancashire regiment, a Liverpool lad. As a boy I would ask him about his war experience and it would always upset him. but he did say that he was a lewis gunner and he was shot in the neck with the bullet passing straight through his back. It was the germans who recovered him and he remembers waking up in a german field hospital with a german male medic saying to him in good english "dont worry Tommy your war's over now" which I have always thought is quite a compassionate thing to say to the enemy. He was imprisoned for the rest of the war I believe in Germany and Holland.
Private Robert Cartmell 9th Battalion Kings Own Lancashire Regiment
Alas I have very little info, as I only knew through my mother that my father Robert Cartmell served in the Great War, he was wounded in the legs, I dont recall my father, not even a photo, perhaps through this site I might find more out, as I understand his service records were destroyed in an air raid during world war two, all I have is his Medal Card, perhaps some one can help me? Very little is known of him at the Kings Own Royal Lancs Museum, is there anyone that might have old photos of the Regt? I would be most grateful for anything.
Pte. Alfred K Robinson Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regt
I have come across some old medals at my mums house that are not from my family and am trying to return them to the next of kin of Pte Robinson. Does anyone know of his family?
Second Lieutenant George Rowland Howson 1st Battalion Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regt (d.9th April,1917)
George Rowland Paget Howson - "Uncle Rolly" worked in the Liverpool and Manchester District Banking Company,later the District Bank Ltd.,in various branches around Lancaster before the Great War. His father,Robert G.W.Howson,was Manager of the Morecambe branch of the Lancaster Banking Company (which became the District Bank).(He was a great friend of Sir Edward Elgar, who wrote a part song in his memory when he died in 1905). I am not sure when Rowland went off to the War - having been born in 1886 - he would have been 28 in September 1914 and therefore older than many who joined up. However, I have a postcard of him in uniform taken in May, 1916 at Argues, Pas de Calais. Another postcard sent to his mother showing two soldiers carrying a metal tub states "My leave has been cancelled. This photo is of the schoolmaster chap and myself as hut orderlies. We have just finished washing up. Yours R." In his sister's scrapbook (my grandmother),I have the original Post Office Telegram dated 23rd April,1917 from Buckingham Palace stating "The King and Queen deeply regret the loss you and the Army have sustained by the death of your son in the service of his country. Their majesties truly sympathise with you in your sorrow. Keeper of the Privy Purse." Rowland's obituary (probably in the "Lancaster Guardian and the "Morecambe Visitor" - about April 20th,1917)has a photo and states "Information has come to hand that 2nd Lieutenant George Rowland Padgett (should be "Paget")Howson,Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, younger son of the late Mr and Mrs R.G.W.Howson was killed in action on Easter Monday leading his platoon in the attack". (More to follow)
Private Henry Chappell 1st Btn. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regt (d.20th Oct 1914)
Henry Chappell was my grandfathers brother and it looks like a pre WW1 serving soldier with the Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regt. My Grandfathers family orginated from London/Kent so it is strange Henry belonged to a Northern Regiment. I have no information regarding henry and am unaware of where he was living and whether he was married etc. I know that he landed in France/Belgium on the 12th September 1914 and was killed in action in October 1914, he has no known grave so his name is recorded on one of the many memorials. If anyone has any information or is a relative of Henry please contact me
Sjt. William Edmund Pittaway 242 Brigade, A bty. Royal Field Artillery (d.24th Mar 1917)
I have a copper bracelet that is handmade and engraved by, I assume, Mr Pittaway. It has been engraved with his name and various battles that took place in the Somme which, again I assume, that Mr Pittaway took part in. These are "Somme", "Albert", "Hebuterne", "Poizieres", "Ovilliers", "Arras", "Mesnil", "Le Sars", "Martinpuich", "Thiepval" and "Au Bois". I have checked on a map and all these places are located just south of Arras. One or two of the place names have been spelt incorrectly and I have spelt them above as they appear on the bracelet in case the names or spelling has changed in the last 95 years.Above his name Mr Pittaway has engraved the following: 2335 R.F.A. A-Battery 242 Brigade and either side of his name are the dates 1914 and 1916, these are the dates, I believe, during which 242 Brigade was in existence.
I would like to try and find out more about Mr Pittaway.
Update: Information from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission: Serjeant William Edmund Pittaway, who served under the name of Thompson, was killed on the 24th of March 1917, age 33. At his death he was a Sergeant with the King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment), 'A' Company, 1st Battalion. He was the son of William Edmund and Maria Pittaway and also served in the South African War. He is buried in Birmingham's Witton Cemetery.
Pte. William Ratcliffe 28th Divisional Cyclist Company Army Cyclist Corps
My grandfather William Radcliffe, enlisted in the Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment on 24/01/1911. He was serving in India with the 2nd Battlion at the outbreak of WW1, and was brought back to England. It appears that on arrival in the UK, he was transferred to the newly formed 28th Divisional Cyclist Company latterly XVI Corps Cyclist Battalion. William arrived in France 19/01/1915 and served there until 24/10/1915 when the unit embarked for service in Salonika. I regrettably have no other details until his ultimate ill health discharge on 15/01/1919.
Pte. Joseph Mingham Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
I am trying to find info on my granddad, Joe Mingham. He served with the Kings Own and the Machine Gun Corps and was on the Somme at some point and was injured by flying shrapnel in his kidney area. I believe he was also temporarily in action with the Staffords. I always remember him saying one of their officers sent two men to a nearby farm house to shoot some local French woman who was signalling to 'jerry'. I also seem to remember him saying he was in Burma. My granddad died in 1977 in Morecambe, it seems his wounds finally caught up with him.
Sjt. James Edward Grinham DCM. 8th Btn. Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
I was researching the family tree when I came across the records of a great uncle, my grandmothers brother, unfortunately my grandmother died in the 1980s and the great uncle died in 1932. All I have is the research I have done so far.My great uncle was Sgt 22631 James Henry Grinham he joined the Army in October 1915 it would appear he initially joined the Suffolk Regiment, he then transferred to the Kings Own Royal Lancashire Regiment on the 31st March 1916. He was awarded the DCM it was published in the London Gazette 3rd June 1918 "22631 Sjt. J. E. Grinham, R. Lanc. R.".
Also in the London Gazette on the 21st October 1918 I found the following extract :-
Neither my father nor my grandmother ever spoke of this great uncle I presume because he died so many years before, I wish I could have spoken him.With reference to the announcement of the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal, which appears in the London Gazette dated 3rd June, 1918, the following are the acts of gallantry for which the decoration has been awarded: —
22631 Sjt. J. E. Grinham, R. Lane. R. (S. (Croydon).
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the trenches, on patrol, and with wiring parties. He was a persistent volunteer for all enterprises of a dangerous nature, and has saved many casualties in his platoon during heavy bombardments by his intelligent leadership and initiative'.
John Joseph O'Brien Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
My father, John Joseph O'Brien, joined the British Army in 1914 in Manchester. He was in France, Malta, Gibraltar, North Africa, Mesapotamia and India. He was wounded in the War with shrapnel in his neck, head and back. He was found in the trenches and survived. He was also in a camp in Bacuba, Iraq, where he met my mother who was an Assyrian refugee. I had a sister who was born in Bagdad and was at the coronation of King Fezel. The British Government wanted my father to stay to help build the new rail road to India but he wanted to go back to England. He went back to England in 1918/19 then went to America in 1922 where he settled until his death in 1976.
Pte. Albert E. Bowder 1st Btn. C Company Kings Own Royal Lancashire Regiment (d.19th Oct 1916)
Albert Bowder first joined the Lincolnshire Regiment in 1915, then transferred to the Kings Own Royal Lancashire Regiment, 1st Battalion C Company during the battle of the Somme in September 1916. He was killed in action on 19th October 1916 possibly during attack on Spectrum Trench at Les Beoufs towards end of Battle of Somme.
Cpl. William Green 1/5th Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.10th Sep 1916)
William Green was my grandma's brother. His war records were destroyed in the WW2 blitz but we do have a letter from the trenches to his mum and dad, Elizabeth and John Green who lived in Wesham nr Preston, Lancashire.He was aged 29 when he died and was married to Mary. If anyone has any more info on him or anyone else from the same regiment, please get in touch by email. There is a photo of him in our local church, I will try to upload a copy at a future date.
2nd Lt. Leslie William Hawkins 6th Battalion Notts & Derby Regiment
Leslie Hawkins was my Grandpa. He enlisted in the Second County of London Yeomanry in December 1915. He transferred to the Machine Gun Corps in August 1917, then Kings Own Royal Lancs. Then after a discharge, he was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant of the 6th Battalion in the Sherwood Foresters in March 1918. He saw action at Bellenglise, Sambre-Oise Canal and Cambria. He survived, resigned his commission in 1922.Apparently he rarely talked about the horrors. He died at 80, but sadly being too young to know, I never got a chance to talk to him, recognise what he had done or really appreciated his experience in his presence. Clearly an extraordinary man but also in my memory, good to be around. Gone but never forgotten.
Pte. Thomas Gabbitas 1st Btn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) (d.9th Apr 1917)
My Great Grand Father, Thomas Gabbitas, was born in Ormskirk, Lancashire UK. He joined the Army in 1902, He served with The King's Own Regiment Lancaster,He spent time in India, Had time in hospital with Nephritis and was finally posted to Arras in France.
He was Killed in Action on 9th April 1917. He has no known grave. This year 2010, I went to Arras to visit the Battle Fields and visited the site were he died !! Very moving moment..
Pte. Joseph Mingham Machine Gun Corps
My grandad, Joseph Mingham started the war in the Kings Own Lancashire Regiment. Later he transferred to the Manchester Regt which I believe was, or was going to be, converted totally to operate as a machine gun unit. He told me he spent some time attached to the 'Staffords'. I'm sure he also mentioned time served in Burma?He didn't talk a great deal about his time in the war. A few things I do remember though were that rats were always present and they helped provide 'fresh' rations! The blokes tied string around their trousers at the ankles and thighs to prevent the rats having access to their private parts. They would cover their legs with a tin of dubbin on each leg to help prevent rot/trench foot. You had to be extremely careful if you were going to enter German trenches and shelters. He said that 'jerry' was very good at 'booby-trapping' and at engineering. Their bunkers were much more comfortable and deeper than ours and often had pianos down there. In the photo my grandad is seated at the front. He was the No1 on the Vickers in 'The Suicide Club'.
Pte. Richard Brannick 8th Btn Royal Lancaster Regiment (d.13th Oct 1915)
I have been researching my family history for the last 3 years. During my research I found references to my Grandfather, his brother and their part in WW1. I visited Richard's grave and the Menin Gate in August 2010 which was a very emotional experience for me. I would like to pass on my Grandfather's story to you as follows:My Grandfather Richard would have been 31 years of age when he joined up. I can only assume he wanted to do his bit for the country, at 31 he would have been one of the older members of the Regiment. He enlisted in October 1914 and after basic training he was shipped out to the Western Front landing on the 27th September 1915 full of excitement and trepidation about the adventure he was embarking on. He sent his wife Mary a standard field postcard on the 2nd of October 1915. On it were pre-printed comments such as, I am well, I have been admitted to hospital, etc. etc. He had crossed out all the pre-printed comments, but just left in the "I am well" comment. On the 13th October 1915 he was struck by a shell during heavy bombardment. He was killed instantly, just 17 days after arriving on the Western front. Captain E.W.S Bardsley, Richard's commanding officer, sent Mary a printed sympathy card advising her of Richard's death. He was buried at Ploegsteert Wood Military Cemetery. His brother 37816 Private James Brannick was also killed in action on the 10th August 1917. His name is inscribed on the Menin Gate. He was with the 11th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers.
John William Lancelot Wright Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
My grandfather John William Lancelot Wright, was in the trenches in France. He was with his friend Henry Bamford who was killed by a mine. My grandfather got shrapnel and shell shock and was in hospital for twelve months. My grandma was married to Henry at the time and my grandfather went to see her after the war, they fell in love and were married in 1921.My Grandfather had two brothers who were also in France fighting, Charles and Clarence Wright. I'd like to know what my grandfather did in the Great War as I know next to nothing about what he did.
Rfm. John Edmondson 1st Battalion The Rifle Brigade. (d.1st Nov 1918)
My Paternal Great Grandfather, John Edmondson, enlisted at Dalton in Furness on 7th August 1914 with the 4th Battalion of Kings Own Lancashire Regiment. From 1915 to 1918 John sent my Great Grandmother (his girlfriend), Jane Wall, known as Jenny, many postcards from France, the last one received was in September 1918.On John's Record for Soldier's Died in the Great War his Regiment was the Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) 1st Battalion, Rifleman B/202112 (Comments: Formerly S/4/122327 R.A.S.C). He died of his wounds on 1st November 1918 and is buried at Ramillies British War Cemetery, Ramillies, Pas-de-Calais, France, Grave Ref: G.24.
The very sad thing about this story is that he never knew that Jenny was pregnant with his son when he died. She brought up their son by herself, which I know in those days must of been tough as a single mother. Although through her life Jenny had a few chances of marrying she never accepted the proposals and died in her 92nd year a single lady.
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Fourth Battalion the Kings's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) and the Great War
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