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The King's Royal Rifle Corps
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World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar greatThe King's Royal Rifle Corps
The King's Royal Rifle Corps was formed in 1881 as the British Army was reorganised, their history can be traced back to 1755 and the formation of the 62nd (Royal American) Regiment of Foot. During the Great War, twenty six battalions were raised:
- 1st Battalion
- 2nd Battalion
- 3rd Battalion
- 4th Battalion
- 5th
- 6th (Reserve) Battalion
- 7th (Service) Battalion
- 8th (Service) Battalion
- 9th (Service) Battalion
- 10th (Service) Battalion
- 11th (Service) Battalion
- 12th (Service) Battalion
- 13th (Service) Battalion
- 14th
- 15th (Reserve) Battalions
- 16th (Service) Battalion (Church Lads Brigade)
- 17th (Service) Battalion (British Empire League)
- 18th (Service) Battalion (Arts & Crafts)
- 19th (Reserve) Battalion
- 20th (Service) Battalion (British Empire League Pioneers)
- 21st (Service) Battalion (Yeoman Rifles)
- 22nd (Reserve) Battalion
- 23rd (Reserve) Battalion
- 24th (Reserve) Battalion
- 25th (Service) Battalion (Pioneers)
- 51st (Graduated) Battalion
- 52nd (Graduated) Battalion
- 53rd (Young Soldier) 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 Royal Rifle Corps during the Great War.
Select a story link or scroll down to browse those stories hosted on this site.
- Rfm. Geoffrey Robinson Abbott (d.31st Jul 1917)
- Rfm. Thomas Edward Anderson (d.7th Jun 1917)
- Rifleman Albert Clarence Bedson (d.20th May 1917)
- Rifleman Henry Frederick Bowman (d.23rd Apr 1917) Read their Story.
- Captain Edmond William Bury (d.5th Dec 1915) Read their Story.
- Private Harry Semmons Donkin (d.17 May 1918 ) Read their Story.
- Rfm. James Arthur Gardiner (d.14th Jun 1917) Read their Story.
- Edward Alfred Gaydon Read their Story.
- Pte. John Graves (d.24th Aug 1917)
- Rfm. George Hatcher (d.10th Mar 1915) Read their Story.
- Private Frederick Hele Read their Story.
- Capt. J. Hindley
- Rfm. Joe Willie Holdsworth (d.20th Sep 1917) Read their Story.
- L/Cpl. Wilfred Arthur Hutchins (d.5th Jul 1915) Read their Story.
- Rifleman James William Keen (d.14th Aug 1917) Read their Story.
- Rfm. Harry Lee (d.11th May 1917)
- Rfm. Frederick William London (d.4th May 1915) Read their Story.
- Rfm. James Lord Read their Story.
- Pte. John George McRoy (d.17th Jun 1917) Read their Story.
- Pte. Arthur Samuel Plumb (d.30th Oct 1915) Read their Story.
- L/Cpl. Joseph Robson (d.10th May 1915) Read their Story.
- Rfm. Joseph Sedgwick (d.6th Jul 1915) Read their Story.
- 2nd Lt. David Caldow Simpson Read their Story.
- Sgt. Ben Smales (d.17th Sept 1914) Read their Story.
- Private Albert "Bert" Stephens Read their Story.
- Rifleman William James Summers (d.4th July 1916) Read their Story.
- L/Cpl. John Thomas Sutton
- L/Cpl. Bertie Edmund Titmas (d.16th Aug 1917) Read their Story.
- L/Cpl. Ira William Turner (d.10th Sep 1918) Read their Story.
- Private Mark Westcott Read their Story.
- Pte. Cecil Wiles (d.8th Jul 1916) Read their Story.
- John Bertram Willson Read their Story.
- Sergeant Joseph Young 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.
Private Albert "Bert" Stephens Kings Royal Rifle Corps
This is a very long shot but, in the words of John Mills (....it might just work! My Grandfather, Bert (Albert) Stephens, served in the KRRC throughout the first world war and , as much as I do not seriously expect anyone to still be here and who actually knew / served with him in all of the various battles, he at least survived to tell the tale (which is why I am here today, of course). I am mortified by the fact that he gave me his cap badge (Relief of Ladysmith, etc.) and I have somehow lost it in various moves since then, and it is actually very hard to forgive myself for that. I would therefore very much like to find out more about both his and his comrades' exploits during that terrible time and, if anyone else on this site has any relative or even access to better records that can possibly tell me more about it all, I would be tremendously grateful for your help. That's about it....any help would be gratefully received.
Rifleman Henry Frederick Bowman 16th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.23rd Apr 1917)
Henry was a member of Hertfordshire and Essex Flying Club, he is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. His son Flt Lt. Henry Cyril Francis "Harry" Bowman DFC lost his life in the Second World War whilst flying with 129 sqd.
Rifleman James William Keen 21st Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.14th Aug 1917)
In researching my family history I have discovered that James William Keen, of Camberwell, London, died aged just 20 in the Great War. James was the brother of my Great Nan, Lily. He served in the Kings Royal Rifle Corps 21st Battallion and is recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as having died on the 14th August 1917. James was a Rifleman. His grave is at Godewaersvelde British Cemetery, although as someone whose knowledge of these things is very limited I don't know if that means that literally he is buried there or if the headstone is merely a memorial and that he lies elsewhere in an unknown grave.My family history has led me to discover many sad stories, some of children passing in infancy, but it is James' death more than any other which reduces me to tears. I have made some enquiries online and it appears that James would have been engaged in battle at Passchendaele, about which I have learned a little more as a result. I am beginning to discover the full horrors of the first phase of the Battle of Ypres yet still I can barely take in what those poor men must have suffered.
I understand that there were no major battles on the 14th August 1917, which suggests, I'm told, that James may have died as a result of injuries sustained in the Battle of Pilckem or in the clearing operation following it. I shall probably never know how or why he died but if I can I should dearly like to find out as much as possible about the Kings Royal Rifle Corps during that time. A pacifist since my teens, I feel I owe it to all these men to understand the circumstances in which they lost their young lives and that my own children should be aware of how they suffered in order for us to have the freedom we take for granted. If anyone could help me in my quest to discover more I would be very grateful indeed.
Finally, I would just like to add that I learned that it must have been Passchendaele in which James died by posing a question on "Yahoo Answers". I got many replies, some far more detailed than one particular response, but it is that short one which will forever stick in my memory. The gentleman who answered said that he felt that Passchendaele was indeed the most likely, gave a little more information, then at the bottom added:
" R.I.P. James Keen, Soldier, 21st Batallion Kings Royal Rifle Group. WE WILL REMEMBER THEM."
Those few words, from a total stranger to a man I might have had the pleasure to have known and loved had the War not taken him from my family meant more than I can say. They may not have changed my beliefs as a pacifist, but I know that this November I shall, for the first time in 42 years, wear a poppy, and wear it with pride.
L/Cpl. Joseph Robson 4th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.10th May 1915)
My great great Uncle was in WW1 and died in 1915, Lance Corporal Joseph Robson, 4th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps. Aged 22 he was killed on 10/05/1915. He was the son of Mrs. Sarah Turnbull (formerly Robson), of 35, Palmer st., Sunderland, and the late Mr. E. Robson. His name is listed on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial. if you know any infomation please e-mail me. Thank you ever so much
Private Mark Westcott King's Royal Rifle Corps
My grandfather, Private Mark Westcott served with the King's Royal Rifle Corp. The only record I have is that he was awarded the 1915 Star, the War Medal, and the Victory Medal, which has given me his Service Number and Corps. Apparently he stayed enlisted after the war and retired in service. He died in 1949 in Exeter, but, according the family legend, he joined up in 1914 and returned home in 1928.
Private Harry Semmons Donkin Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.17 May 1918 )
My uncle Harry Donkin died in a hospital in Maidstone of his wounds on 17 May 1918. He was 19 years old. I have started to research his war record and know that:He enlisted in West Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, in the King's Royal Rifle corps with service number 19574. He was transferred to the Royal Scots at some point (I have a photograph of him in this regimental uniform) with the service number 302284. He died of his wounds in a hospital somewhere in Maidstone. Although he is recorded by the commonwealth war graves as being in the 9th battalion of the Royal Scots, he appears in 'Soldiers Died' under the 1st Battalion 'depot' as Harry Doukin (the n being mistaken for a u). On the medal roll index he originally appears as Dorkin but this has been corrected to his proper name of Donkin. The family apparently requested his medal in 1923 and one was issued at that time. I am interested to know where he served, where he was wounded and the nature of his injuries. I understand I will need to find out when he transferred from the Rifles to the Scots. Many thanks for your help.
Private Frederick Hele Kings Royal Rifle Corps
My grandfather Fred Hele was in the KRRC in 1915 as i have a photo of him in his uniform with his wife and young son who was a baby at the time. He was born on 11th December 1886. His medal card also shows he was awarded a Silver War Badge (SWB)List M/1410 which i think i still have at least i have two SWB both with different reference numbers on, so one could be his. I don't know if you can help but i am trying to find out why he was given the SWB but do not know which Battalion/Unit he was in. If I can find this out then I may be able to unravel his story through War Diaries. Would you know where i may be able to find out which Battalion/unit he fought with. Many thanks for any help you can give. John Hele
Rifleman William James Summers 17th Battalion (d.4th July 1916)
I have a photograph of a family grave at Manor Park which lists two brothers who died in the Great War, but one of them, William James Summers is not listed on the CWGC debt of honour. I know this is not at all unusual and there is an organisation devoted to adding the names of those missing, but I'd rather like to check the records of The KRRC to see if he enlisted under this name. He served with the 17th Battalion and died at Festubert on July 4th, I think, 1916 aged 26. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I might check this out further?.
Edward Alfred Gaydon 8th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corp
My great grandfather, Edward Alfred Gaydon, was in the 8th battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps.
John Bertram Willson Kings Royal Rifle Corps
My relation John Willson was with the KRRC from 1911 to 1914 then he joined the Machine Gun Corps from 1914-1919, he was on the reservist list until 1931.
Sgt. Ben Smales 2nd Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.17th Sept 1914)
Sgt. Ben Smales was my great uncle, and we are presently trying to establish the exact location of his death so we can visit the area and pay our respects. All we know is that he was killed by German Artillary during the First Battle of the Aisne and has no known grave. His name is carved on the Memorial at La Ferte sous Jouarre.If anyone could help us locate the location of his death, it would be greatly appreciated, and any other details about him would be appreciated too. We know the area of the battlefield but its closer locations within it we are trying to establish.
L/Cpl. Bertie Edmund Titmas 12th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.16th Aug 1917)
Bertie Titmas was my Mother's Father born c.1881. He was killed in action in possibly at the Battle of Langemarck, Third battle of Ypres 16-18 August 1917. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Tyne-Cot Memorial He was born in Stepney, Middlesex and enlisted at Ratcliffe. He was married to Charlotte nee Bonner, and had at least 6 children.
Rfm. Frederick William London 3rd Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.4th May 1915)
Unfortunately not a lot is known from family members as Frederick was killed in Action and no medals or service records remain in our possession. All info comes from military death records and British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards.Frederick William London was my Great Grandfather, a French Polisher, son of Frederick London a Cabinet Maker from Salibury, Wiltshire. Born in St Pancras, London, in approx 1877 and married in 1899 to Georgina Henrietta Jobe in Christ Church, Somers Town, St Pancras, London.
He enlisted into the 3rd Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps from St Pancras, I think in 1914 and would have travelled to Winchester and joined the 80th Brigade in the 27th Division. The 27th Division embarked at Southampton on the 19th - 21st December and disembarked at le Havre between the 20th and 23rd of December. The 27th Division served on the Western Front in France and Belgium until November, 1915. In the following month it embarked for the Macedonian Front, on which it served for the remainder of the War.
From what info I can find and his date of death I think Frederick died in the Second Battle of Ypres 22nd April to the 25th May 1915 possibly the Battle of St Julien. He was 39 years old and left his wife Georgina, daughter Agnes 13 yrs, son George 5 yrs and son Fred 2 yrs. He is remembered at the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial Panels 51 and 53
Pte. John George McRoy 21st Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.17th Jun 1917)
John George was my uncle [my fathers brother]. He was the son of James and Rosehanna and lived in Monkwearmouth, Sunderland. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belguim which we have visited many times. My grandmother had 4 sons, 3 of them were at war and only one came home. Johns brother James was killed on August 27th 1917, 3 months after after John. He does not have a resting place as his body has never been found but his name is on the plaque at Tyne Cot Cemetery. We will always be grateful to them for giving their lives as they did.
Rfm. George Hatcher 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.10th Mar 1915)
My early record is that my grandfather, George Hatcher was killed at Flanders in 1915. A conflicting record says he died in Eastbourne in 1914. Does anyone have a record of those who died at Flanders from 1st Bat. KRRC?Editors Note:
The majority of Commonwealth casualties are recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission They list a L/Cpl. George Hatcher 1st Btn KRRC as being killed on 10th March 1915 in Southern Flanders. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Le Touret Memorial in the Military Cemetery at the village in Flanders.
Rfm. James Lord King's Royal Rifle Corps
James Lord served with the KRRC, I am looking for a photograph of No 11 General Hospital, Camiers at about end of April 1917.
Rfm. Joseph Sedgwick 7th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.6th Jul 1915)
Joe was my Grandma's brother who she never met. I'm going through the family history and trying to gather as much information as I possibly can. A long shot but can anyone give me any information on what or where Joe could have been. What battles? All we've got is Flanders France, like so many others there is no body no grave. Please email me..
2nd Lt. David Caldow Simpson Kings Royal Rifle Corps
David Caldow Simpson joined the Kings Royal Rifle Corps as a temporary 2nd lieutenant and served in the trenches in France, then transferred to the RFC. Listed in the London Gazette 18 October receiving a temporary commission in the RAF as '2nd Lieutenant, Observer Officer'. After the war he founded a transport company called Holme & Simpson, later North British Transport. During WW2 he was an Army Welfare Officer with the rank of Captain and organised entertainment. Founder member of the Road Haulage Association and became Freeman of City of London in 1946. Died 2nd March 1969.
Sergeant Joseph Young B Company King's Royal Rifle Corps
This is a photograph of my great grandfather Sgt. Joseph Young. The postcard has on the back: King's Royal Rifle Corps
"B"" company
Sergt J Young
No.245309 (I think) 2/7th (then something that looks like) N F1
Hollinside Camp
Swalwell
Rfm. James Arthur Gardiner 18th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.14th Jun 1917)
James Gardiner was my great, great grandfather who served with the 18th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps. All I know is that apparently (according to great nan), he was on the front line and he lay on top of his commanding officer to save his life and then he was killed. He has no grave and had his name put on the Menin Gate. I found his WW1 Medal Card and I found out he got the British and Victory Medal. Also he would have had a Memorial Plaque given to the next of kin.I feel very proud of him because he gave his life for somebody else and I believe that he must have been a very kind and caring person. If anyone is able to find anything else out for me I would be most grateful.
Pte. Arthur Samuel Plumb 8th Service Battalion The Rifle Brigade Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.30th Oct 1915)
Arthur was a volunteer Rifleman in an Infantry Unit the 8th Service Battalion the Rifle Brigade, The Kings Royal Rifle Corps (The Prince Consorts Own), formed as part of the 'First New Army' Kitchener's Volunteers or K1 (The first 100,000 volunteers), at Winchester 21st August 1914. Attached to the 41st Brigade a.k.a. the 14th Light Division. they were deemed ready for action and arrived in France in May 1915 (The 2nd Battle of Ypres ended on 24th May 1915. The recruits could not join the front because of a shortage of rifle and artillery ammunition).Arthur's division fought at Hooge on the 19th July 1915, 30th July 1915 and on the 9th August 1915, those who survived lived to fight again at Bellewaarde 25th and 26th September 1915. Arthur died on October 30th 1915 and is buried in a double grave at Le Treport Military Cemetery, Plot 1, Row M, Grave 3B.
Arthur was 30 years old when he died and left a wife Edith aged 33 and 5 children, 2 boys and 3 girls one of whom was named May Plumb aged 9 years. May Plumb's eldest child Edward (Ted) Noble was one of the glider born Ox & Bucks who took part in the successful coup de main at Pegasus Bridge, Normandy in the early hours of D-Day in 1944
I'd be interested to hear from anyone with photo's or information of Arthur's unit.
Pte. Cecil Wiles 21st Battalion Kings Royal Rifles Corps (d.8th Jul 1916)
Cecil was not called up as he was in a "protected occupation" as the eldest son of a farmer. However one Sunday morning outside the village church in West Pinchbeck a woman from the village thrust three white feathers into his breast pocket. He resolved to join up and left his wife of three months. He was killed six months later.
Captain Edmond William Bury 11th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.5th Dec 1915)
Edmund Bury was killed in action in France on the 5th of December 1915. His son David lost his life during the Second World War whilst flying with 111 Squadron RAF and is also buried in France
L/Cpl. Wilfred Arthur Hutchins 8th Btn King's Royal Rifle Corps (d.5th Jul 1915)
Given the day, 11th of November, my mind has been on the Great War rather than work. There is new access through the National Archives to some war diaries and I found this reference to Billy Hutchins - he died a day after that stated on the menin gate and it shows he was a machine gunner - killed by a shell. I just wanted to share this.July 1915 Ypres.
July 1st Thursday. Battn remain in Ypres. Some shelling. Rfn Barnes killed & 1 man wounded both M/G section. More care about Aeroplane sentries.
2nd Friday. Battn remain in Ypres. Fatigue parties to clear up roads.
3rd Saturday. Battn remain in Ypres. Heavy shelling of Ecole. Then fire opened at Sally Port. One shell exploded in shelter in which A Coy were cooking Teas. 3 killed 15 wounded (2 subsequently died in hospital at Asylum).
4th Sunday. Battn remain in Ypres. Carrying parties each night. Btn also construct ? Dugouts. (7 wounded very slightly). Sgt Hughes poisoned from drinking from a bottle found in the Town.
5th Monday. Battn remain in Ypres. New method of spraying smoke helmets carried out. Bomb throwers under Danville go to trenches in morning. Rfn Hutchins & Rfn Freeman m/gunners killed by shell. Rfn Andrews & Rfn Fletcher wounded.
6th Tuesday. Battn remain in Ypres. Rfn Terry & Hawkin (?) C Coy killed on carrying party & six wounded (of whom Rfn Hodges & Harris subsequently died).
7th Wednesday. Battn remain in Ypres. Very quiet day as regards shells. The Prime Minister, Lord Kitchener & large party visit YPRES. Two sick men to Hospital. Several houses fell down owing to wind, & roads had to be cleared. Major Crum slightly wounded.
Rfm. Joe Willie Holdsworth 18th Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.20th Sep 1917)
Joe Willie Holdsworth was a great grandfather I would never get to meet. He enlisted on the 6th of July 1915, and was killed in action on the 20th of September 1917. His name is on the Memorial wall at Tyne Cot Memorial. I would like to know where the 18th Bn was fighting on that day. I only have a photo of him as a boy. Even then he was dressed in uniform.
L/Cpl. Ira William Turner 2nd Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (d.10th Sep 1918)
Ira Turner is buried at the Abberville Communal Cemetery, he was 27 years old, the son of Ira William Turner.
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