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The 2/5th Battalion (Territorial Force) had its HQ in Loughborough as part of the Lincoln and Leicester Brigade, North Midland Division and was mobilised in September 1914. In January 1915 the battalion moved to Luton beimng billeted in private homes, in February and march they had a spell at Epping digging practice trenches. In July moved to the St Albans area, under canvas at Briton Camp for training and route marches. In Aug 1915, the Brigade was retitled 177th Brigade, 59th Division (2nd North Midland) and in October they were moved back to billets in Harpenden. Throughout 1915 some members of the 2/5 Leicesters also provided guards for the prisoner of war camp at Donnington Hall. In January 1916 parties of Officers were sent to France on tours of instruction in the trenches and in March, the long awaited orders to proceed overseas were received. But on Easter Monday, the rebellion in Ireland, forced a rapid change of plans. The 177th Brigade were recalled from leave and ordered move to Liverpool at midnight, the following day the sailed from Liverpool on the SS Ulster, a fast mailboat, escorted by a Royal Navy destroyer. Their first taste of action was not to be in the trenches of the Western Front, but in the streets of Dublin. By the end of the month the main uprising was over and the 2/5th Battalion were employed as search parties in Ballsbridge and guarded railways, bridges and other key infrastructure. On the 10th of May they moved out of the city to tackle pockets of resistance in Co. Kerry, moving from village to village, searching homes and making arrests. In June word was received that the Battalion would be moving to France and training resumed with long route marches through Ireland. Over 7 days in August they marched 80 miles from Tralee to Fermoy Barracks, where they woudl remain until January 1917, engaged in live fire training in trench warfare. The return trip from Ireland was made aboard the SS Ulster and they arrived at Fovant Camp in Wiltshire by train at 7pm onthe 6th of January 1917.
After embarkation leave they proceeded to France via Southampton, arriving at Le Harve on the 24th February 1917. They were sent to the Somme area where the enemy were retreating to the Hindenburgh line. The made their first attack on the villages of Hesbecourt and Hervilly on the 31st of March 1917, capturing both villages and suffering a number of casualties.
In September the 2/5th Battalion moved north to Ypres to prepare for the Third Balle of Ypres. They saw action at Polygon Wood in the area of Hill 37. They moved to Lens on the 13th of October 1917 and were involved in the Cambrai Operations and spent Christmas resting at Le Cauroy. In February 1918 the 2/5th Battalion was disbanded, with the men being split between the 1st Battalion, 1/4th and 2/4th Battalions.
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Those known to have served with 2/5th Battalion, The Leicestershire Regiment during the Great War 1914-1918.
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- Pte. William Drury 2/5th Btn. D Coy. Read their Story.
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