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World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great 1914 1918 first battalion regiment

149th Company, Machine Gun Corps



   The 149th Machine Gun Company was formed in 149th (Northumbrian) Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division on the 6th of February 1916. They fought on the Somme at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action at Arras during The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Capture of Wancourt Ridge and The Second Battle of the Scarpe before moving north for the Third Battle of Ypres. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 50th Machine Gun Battalion on the 1st of March 1918.

24th April 1915 On the Move

24th April 1915 On the Move  149 Brigade HQ at Brandhoek report "At 3.45 pm Orders received from 5th Corps for Brigade to move via Ypres to Potjze where it will form a corps reserve. 4.35 pm Orders issued for move to Potjze movement to commence at 6 pm 10.30 pm Brigade arrived at Potjze being heavily shelled whist passing through Ypres. Several casualties. Night rainy and cold."

26th Apr 1915 In Action

26th Apr 1915 In Action  Report on the action at St Julien on Monday 26th April 1915

Reference Belgium sheet 28 1/40,000

1. On the morning of the 26th April 1915 the Northumberland Brigade (4th, 5th, 6th & 7th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers) were concentrated at Wieltje and placed under the orders of the 1st Canadian Division as Reserve. At 10.15 am General Riddell commanding the Northumberland Brigade received orders from the G.O.C 10th Sub Brigade to verify a report received from the 28th Division that the enemy were breaking through the first line trucks in D 13 c & d and to counter attack with whatever force he considered necessary. The 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers was directed at 10.45 AM to send forward an officers patrol to verify the report & to proceed with his Battalion to Fortuin with a view to counter attacking if the enemy were discovered breaking through. By 12 noon the officer commanding this Battalion was satisfied that no attempt was being made by the enemy to break through at the place indicated and so his battalion has being heavily shelled to proceed to dig in and remained in the position he had reached and consequently took no part in the subsequent operations.

2 At 1.30 pm operation orders from the 1st Canadian division were received. It will be seen from these orders that the Brigade was to attack St Julien in cooperation with the Lahore Division and one battalion of the 10th Infantry Brigade and that the assault was to take place at 2.5 pm.

The distance from Wieltje to St Julien is approximately 1 3/4 miles and the ground had not previously been reconnoitered by the staff or any of the officers of the Brigade. No information was received or could be obtained as to the actual position of either our own or the enemys trenches nor was it known that the G.H.Q line was strongly wired and that there were only certain places through which the troops would be able to pass.

No communication was ever made with the artillery and no artillery officer got in any way into touch with the Brigade. The time was short, the order to attack being received at 1.30 pm. Nevertheless considering that any failure to attack on the part of the Brigade might seriously hamper the operations General Riddell decided to carry out the orders he had received impossible as they seemed.

By 1.50 pm the Battalions were on the move the 6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers attacking with the right Wieltje - St Julien road and the 4th battalion Northumberland Fusiliers with their left on the road. The 7th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers was ordered to follow the 4th bn in the second line.

At 2.5 pm the leading battalions reached the G.H.Q in C22b and C23c and came under very heavy shell and rifle fire. The Battalions deployed on both sides of the Wieltje - St Julien and lost very heavily by not having reconnoitered the openings to the wire entanglements in front of the line of trenches.

However they found places and the advance towards St Julien continued steadily both battalions in the front line suffering heavily from machine gun fire apparently coming from the wood in C17 A on their left flank.

By 2.45 pm both of the leading Battalions had reached the front line of our trenches in C17b and the 7th Battalion had been absorbed in the attack.

At 3.10pm isolated parties of the 6th Northumberlands on the left of the road pushed forward about 250 yards in front of our first line trench and occupied some small trenches from which the enemy had apparently retreated. The 4th and 7th Northumberlands were unable to make any advance. During the whole of this period no signs of the Lahore Division or the battalion of the 10th Brigade had been observed and it was subsequently ascertained that the movement of this battalion had been cancelled although no verification has been sent to the Northumberland Brigade. The culminating point in the advance of the 6th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers was reached at about 3.45pm when unsupported on their left flank and heavily shelled with high explosive shells they were compelled to dig themselves in and remained in possession of the ground they had gained until dusk when they returned to the first line trenches.

At 3.30pm Bigadier general Riddell accompanied by his Brigade Officer left his HQ in C23a and proceeded towards Farm Vanchule in C17d for the purpose of getting into closer touch with his battalion Commanders and was shot through the head 150yards to the south of the farm at 3.45pm. The command devolved to Colonel Foster 4th Northumberland Fusiliers, the senior officer present with the battalions and a message was sent to Col Coles CMS DSO commanding t he 5th Northumberlands informing him of General Riddell's death and that the command of the Brigade had devolved to him.

The position of Colonel Cole's HQ was not actually known and it was not until about 7pm that he arrived at Brigade HQ. Orders had however been issued by Colonel Foster for the battalion to remain where they were until dusk and at 7.30pm Col Coles having ascertained that the services of the Brigade in the first line trench were not required, ordered the troops to return to bivouac at Wieltje.

3rd May 1915 Wagon Lost

3rd May 1915 Wagon Lost  149 Brigade HQ reports:

5am. Brigade less 4th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers arrived Poperinghe. An uneventful march. A few shells fired at column just at starting, one of which wounded 5 men of the 5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers Night fine & cool. Transport proceeding through Ypres came under heavy fire & suffered some loss the limbered wagon belonging to GHQ with Brigade Majors Confidential dispatch box having had to be abandoned. The box contained B.M's war diary & other confidential papers & censor stamp.

6am. A search party was immediately sent back to Ypres to look for the box and its loss was reported personally to a staff officer 2nd Army. A telegram was also sent to GHQ regarding loss of censor stamp No. 1540.

7am. 4th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers arrived and reported 2 casualties coming through Ypres.

11.30am. Search party sent to Ypres to look for confidential box reported that the wagon had been discovered but that it had evidently been looted of everything it contained.

2pm. Orders received from Northumberland Division for the Brigade to march via Watou to this new area west of and exclusive of that village.

4pm. Orders issued for the Brigade to move at 8pm.

11.30pm. Watou. Brigade arrived and went into billets. HQ in farm house in K---

4th May 1915 Parade

4th May 1915 Parade  149th Bridage HQ report from Watou:

7am. Message form Northumberland Division. The C in C will speak to the Brigade at 11.30am.

11.30am. Battalions assembled just west of Brigade HQ and was addressed by C in C in complimentary terms on work they have done during the period they were attached to the Canadian Division.

7th May 1915 Ready to Move

7th May 1915 Ready to Move  At 8.30am Orders received from the Northumbrian Division that 149th Brigade is to hold itself in readiness to move at two hours notice. At 9am Units informed and instructions issued to the points that the several Battalions are to assemble on receipt of order to move.

8th May 1915 In Bivouac

8th May 1915 In Bivouac  149th Brigade remained in bivouac in Near Watou.

9th May 1915 Orders

9th May 1915 Ordered to Move  At 10.30pm Orders recieved for 149th Brigade to move by omnibus to the neighbourhood of Brandhoek. At 11pm Orders issued to units in accordance with above.

10th May 1915 On the Move

10th May 1915 On the Move  At 7:30am. 149 Brigade H.Q. 5th and 6th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers left billets near Watou in 73 omnibuses.

At 9am. 149 Brigade H.Q. 5th and 6th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers arrived at cross roads in G5d and marched to bivouac in wood A30a. Day very hot and dusty. Transport did not all get in until 16:30. Was very bad.

11th May 1915 In Bivouac  location map

7th Jun 1915 Recce  location map

11th May 1915 In Bivouac  149th Brigade are in Bivouac in A.30A.

6th February 1916 Orders  location map

7th Feb 1916 Machine Gunners Transfer

7th February 1916 Shelling  location map

7th February 1916 Artillery Active  location map

9th February 1916 Orders  location map

9th of February 1916 Orders

9th February 1916 Artillery Active  location map

11th February 1916 Warning

11th February 1916 Enemy Active  location map

12th February 1916 Gas Alert  location map

12th February 1916 Quieter  location map

14th February 1916 Bomardment  location map

15th February 1916 Orders  location map

18th of February 1916 Reliefs Complete  location map

21st February 1916 Snow

22nd February 1916 Gas

22nd of February 1916 Machine Guns  location map

23rd February 1916 Warning

23rd of February 1916 Shrapnel  location map

24th February 1916 Reliefs

25th February 1916 Dangerous Wind

26th February 1916 Hostile Artillery  location map

28th February 1916 Dummys

28th February 1916 Orders  location map

29th February 1916 Report

29th February 1916 Orders  location map

29th February 1916 Orders  location map

1st March 1916 Orders  location map

1st of March 1916 Bombardment  location map

2nd March 1916 Orders

2nd of March 1916 Bombardment  location map

6th of March 1916 Orders  location map

7th of March 1916 Orders  location map

7th of March 1916 Orders

8th of March 1916 Mining  location map

9th of March 1916 Orders  location map

10th of March 1916 Reliefs Completed  location map

10th of March 1916 Orders  location map

10th of March 1916 Orders  location map

16th of March 1916 Orders  location map

18th of March 1916 Orders  location map

20th of March 1916 Orders  location map

23rd of March 1916 Reliefs  location map

29th of March 1916 Reliefs

29th of March 1916 Orders

30th of March 1916 orders  location map

31st of March 1916 Orders  location map

1st of April 1916 Moves  location map

1st of April 1916 Orders  location map

3rd of April 1916 Orders  location map

23rd of April 1916 Orders  location map

25th of April 1916 Reliefs  location map

30th of April 1916 Stand To

30th of April 1916 At Rest  location map

1st of May 1916 Orders

14th of May 1916 Training & Sport

18th of May 1916 Orders

20th of May 1916 Orders  location map

23rd May 1916 Inspection

14th of June 1916 Tinme

21st of July 1916 Orders  location map

21st of July 1916 Reliefs  location map

22nd of July 1916   location map

1st of August 1916 Gas

2nd of August 1916 Alert

6th of August 1916 Reliefs  location map

8th of August 1916 Reliefs  location map

28th of August 1916 Awards

1st of September 1916 Locations

1st Sep 1916 Flies  location map

2nd Sep 1916 Wet Day  location map

7th Sep 1916 Conference  location map

11th Sep 1916 Return to Duty  location map

13th of September 1916 Instructions  location map

13th of September 1916 Orders  location map

14th Sep 1916 Stretcher Bearers  location map

15th Sep 1916 In Action  location map

16th Sep 1916 Large number of Casualties  location map

17th Sep 1916 Stretcher Bearers  location map

21st Sep 1916 Poor Sanitation  location map

24th of September 1916 Reliefs  location map

24th of September 1916 Orders  location map

25th of September 1916 Attacks  location map

27th of September 1916 Instructions

28th of September 1916 Reliefs

29th of September 1916   location map

29th of September 1916 Orders  location map

29th of September 1916 Orders  location map

30th of September 1916 Patrols  location map

30th of September 1916 Barrage  location map

30th of September 1916 Orders Amended  location map

1st of October 1916 Attacks  location map

2nd of October 1916 Orders

2nd of October 1916 Reliefs

2nd of October 1916 Orders

2nd of October 1916 In Action  location map

3rd of October 1916 Reliefs  location map

3rd of October 1916 Congratulations

4th of October 1916 On the March

5th of October 1916 On the March

6th of October 1916 Training

7th of October 1916 Training

8th of October 1916 Rain

9th of October 1916 Working Parties

12th of October 1916 Training

14th of October 1916 Training and Working Parties

15th of October 1916 Exercise

19th of October 1916 Orders  location map

20th of October 1916 Working Parties

22nd of October 1916 Situation

22nd of October 1916 Orders  location map

22nd of October 1916 Signals

23rd of October 1916 Orders

23rd of October 1916 

24th of October 1916 Reliefs

25th of October 1916 Situation  location map

25th of October 1916 Instructions  location map

25th of October 1916 Information Required  location map

26th of October 1916 Orders  location map

26th of October 1916 Orders

28th of October 1916 Orders  location map

28th of October 1916   location map

28th of October 1916 Orders

30th of October 1916 Orders  location map

30th of October 1916 Orders  location map

31st of October 1916 Orders

31st of October 1916 Orders  location map

1st of November 1916 Thick Mud  location map

2nd of November 1916 Orders

2nd of November 1916 Instructions

2nd of November 1916 Orders  location map

2nd of November 1916 Shelling  location map

3rd of November 1916 Orders  location map

3rd of November 1916 Reliefs  location map

3rd of November 1916 Orders  location map

4th of November 1916 Secret  location map

5th of November 1916 In Action  location map

16th of November 1916   location map

24th of February 1917 Orders

2nd of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

3rd of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

3rd of September 1917 Intelligence

4th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

5th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

6th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

7th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

8th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

9th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

9th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

10th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

11th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

12th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

13th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

14th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

15th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

16th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

16th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

17th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

18th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

19th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

20th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

21st of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

22nd of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

22nd of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

23rd of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

24th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

26th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

27th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

28th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

28th of September 1917 Intelligence

29th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

30th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

1st of October 1917 Intelligence  location map

4th of October 1917 Intelligence  location map

27th of October 1917 Intelligence  location map

28th of October 1917 Intelligence  location map

29th of October 1917 Intelligence  location map

30th of October 1917 Intelligence  location map

31st of October 1917 Intelligence  location map

13th of November 1917 Dispositions  location map

18th of December 1917 Intelligence  location map

19th of December 1917 Intelligence  location map

19th of December 1917 Intelligence

20th of December 1917 Intelligence  location map

21st of December 1917 Intelligence  location map

22nd of December 1917 Intelligence  location map

23rd of December 1917 Intelligence  location map

24th of December 1917 Intelligence  location map

24th Dec 1917 Reorganisation

25th of December 1917 Intelligence  location map

25th of December 1917 Intelligence  location map

26th of December 1917 Intelligence  location map

21st Jan 1918 Course

24th of January 1918 

31st of January 1918 

31st of January 1918 

3rd of February 1918 Orders

4th of February 1918 

5th Feb 1918 Course Ends

8th of February 1918   location map

8th of February 1918 Orders

12th of February 1918 

13th Feb 1918 Personnel

15th of February 1918 

15th of February 1918 Orders  location map

17th of February 1918 

21st Feb 1918 Reorganisation

27th of February 1918 Orders

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Want to know more about 149th Company, Machine Gun Corps?


There are:5457 items tagged 149th Company, Machine Gun Corps 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

149th Company, Machine Gun Corps

during the Great War 1914-1918.

  • Jebbett E.. Pte. (d.19th Oct 1917)
  • Perkins Albert. 2nd.Lt. (d.4th October 1917)
  • Reeve Harry William. Pte. (d.25th Oct 1917)
  • Roberts Edwin Hugh. Sgt. (d.26th Oct 1917)
  • Stafford Benjamin Milburn. Pte. (d.20th Apr 1917)

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

Records of 149th Company, Machine Gun Corps from other sources.


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240200

2nd.Lt. Albert Perkins 197th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.4th October 1917)

Taken from Local Newspaper:-

"Loughborough Town Clerk's son killed".

"Much sympathy was felt in Loughborough with the Town Clerk (Mr. Harry Perkins), who on Tuesday evening received official notification of the death of his second son second Lieut. Albert Perkins, of the Machine Gun Corps, which took place on Oct.4th from wounds. Second Lieut. Perkins was 27 years of age, and married. He was articled to the late Mr. A. E. King, architect, and on his death joined Mr. Haynes in carrying on the business. He enlisted in September 1914, with a number of Loughborough young men. In the Public Schools Battalion, and went to France In November 1915, returning to England the following March to take his cadet's course for a commission. The deceased officer was then attached to the 149th Machine Gun Corps, with which he continued until he had to go into hospital for sickness from which he recovered in about a month, and was then transferred to the 197th M.G.C. and stationed near the Flanders coast."

A letter of Sympathy was received by Mrs. Albert Perkins from the Captain of the Machine Gun Company to which her late husband, Second Lieutenant Perkins, was attached. The writer expresses the deepest sympathy of his brother officers, and says-

"Although he only joined this company a week ago, we were all beginning to have a very warm regard for him, and I am sure that he had not been so unfortunately taken from us we should soon have learned to love him. His bright cheery disposition and companionable ways makes us feel his loss keenly. This being so with us, who only knew him for one short week, makes it very easy for us to have some little idea as to your feelings at the loss of one who must have been dearer to you than life itself". The writer goes to say he was with Second Lieutenant Perkins when he died. During a terrible bombardment a shell burst just outside their shelter and a splinter struck him on the right breast, and in five minutes he passed away, quite peacefully and painlessly. The letter adds: "He died a soldiers death- to my mind the most glorious death to die- but he was young and fair, cut off in his prime, which is always so sad. He showed all the qualities of a gallant soldier and a gentleman, which though, I hope will cheer you when you think of the departed dear one."

Chris Robinson




2026

Pte. Benjamin Milburn Stafford 149th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.20th Apr 1917)

Benjamin Stafford was a farmer from Hartlepool. He joined the 6th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment whilst he was living in Lincolnshire, declaring himself to be 5 years younger than he actually was, being unmarried with no children. He was separated from his wife and had a grown up daughter.

He was killed on the 20th of April 1917, with the 149th Machine Gun Coy of the 50th Division. He is commemorated on the war memorial at St Peter's Church, Elwick and on a special memorial at Wancourt Cemetery near Arras, where he is one of 76 casualties believed to be buried in one of the 829 graves of unidentified men. Most likley his remains were moved from the Signal Trench Cemetery, Heniniel and he may well lie in the grave of an unknown solider between two men of the 149th MGC also killed on the 20th. Presumably he was killed in the battle for Wancourt Tower which was taken by the 50th (Northumbrian) Division on the 13th April. The enemy 35th Division and 3rd Bavarian Division, made attacks on the hill over the following week.
The following is an extract from a letter to the men of the 50th Div from P.S. Wilkinson Major-General Commanding 50th Division on the 27th of April 1917:

"The 151st Infantry Brigade took Wancourt Tower on the night of 12/13th April, and we handed over a front line, one mile further East on the night 25/26th April. On April 14th the 151st Infantry Brigade, with the object of protecting the left flank of the Division on our right. All attacks failed, and the 151st Infantry Brigade, who advanced a considerable distance, were forced to withdraw.

The 149th Infantry Brigade then took over the line on the night of 14/15th April. From that night until 150th Infantry Brigade took over on the night of 21/22nd, the enemy made six attacks on the Tower, any one of which was successful. Of these attacks the 6th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers repulsed four, and the 5th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers one.

The 149th Infantry Brigade carried out two attacks on the Tower, both of which were successful. One attack was made by the 6th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers and one by the 7th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers. The 150th Infantry Brigade took over the line on the night of 21/22nd in preparation for a big attack by the whole of the Third Army on the 23rd April..

The total enemy casualties opposite the 50th Division therefore on April 23rd amounts to at least 2,200 as oppose to our 2,300 for the whole period of 14 days, including the fighting on April 23rd. The Divisions opposed to the 50th Division were the 35th Division and part of the 3rd Bavarian Division. Prisoners of the 141st, 61st, and 176th Infantry regiments of the 35th Division were captured during this period, and of the 17th and 18th Bavarian Infantry Regiments of the 3rd Bavarian Division. The net result of our fight have been that we have soundly beaten the 35th German Division, who fancied themselves, and judging by the numbers of Iron crosses worn by all ranks they must have fought well in previous battles.

The above record speaks for itself without any further commend. You have all done splendidly."

Captain Francis Buckley of the 50th Div. Wrote:

"About April 16, 1917, Lieut.-Col F Robinson of the 6th N.F. discovered the enemy approaching the ruined buildings on the Wancourt Tower Hill, and promptly ordered a platoon to attack them. This plan succeeded admirably, and the Tower and house were captured. The place was of vital importance to us as it commanded direct observation on all the roads leading to our part of the front. On April 17th the enemy shelled the Tower with 8-inch howitzers- generally a sign that he meant to attack sooner or later. The Tower contained a formidable concrete machine-gun emplacement, facing of course our way, but by General Rees orders it was blown up by the Engineers. Sure enough the enemy attacked the Tower that night, and at an unfortunate time for us, for the 7th N.F. were in the process of relieving the 6th N.F. in the front line, and it was a vile night, with a blizzard of snow. The German attack succeeded in driving our men out of the Tower and buildings, and though several bombing attacks were made that night to recover the position it could not be done. General Rees at once prepared to storm the position at the earliest opportunity next day, the 7th N.F. having completed the relief of the trenches during the night. It is difficult to describe the confidence which our General inspired at this critical time; he was rather graver and more thoughtful than usual, perhaps, but he treated the matter with great confidence and made everyone feel that the misfortune could and would be retrieved at the first attempt. His plans were made in conjunction with Major Johnson of the 50th Divisional Artillery; and as a result it was arranged to attack across the open, supported by a barrage from five brigades of field artillery. The hour was fixed for twelve noon (German time) just when the enemy is thinking about his dinner. Without any preliminary bombardment, the barrage opened out at the appointed hour, and fairly drove the enemy off the hill top. The 7th N.F. advanced in perfect order, and with little opposition, recaptured the Tower and the neighbouring trenches. Two or three prisoners were sent down, who had been unable to get away before the attackers reached them. It was a little attack, but carried out with admirable precision and practically without loss, and every credit must be given to General Rees for the way he handled the problem. As this operation was carried out in full view of all the surrounding country it attracted considerable attention, and congratulations soon poured in from all sides. "

Ben's army records reveal the consequences of lying about his age. He had listed his brother as next of kin, but Milburn wrote back to the military stating that Ben's medals should go to his daughter Florence. Which the army dispute as taking 5 years off Ben's age meant that instead of having a child when he was 19, her birth appeared to be when he was only 14 years old. After an exchange of documents the army accepted that Ben had been over age when he enlisted and his medals were sent to Florence.

If anyone has any further information or a photograph of Ben, I would very much like to hear from you.

Angela






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