The Wartime Memories Project

- Middlesex Regiment during the Great War -


Great War>Allied Army
skip to content


This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site you agree to accept cookies.


If you enjoy this site please consider making a donation.



    Site Home

    Great War Home

    Search

    Add Stories & Photos

    Library

    Help & FAQs

 Features

    Allied Army

    Day by Day

    RFC & RAF

    Prisoners of War

    War at Sea

    Training for War

    The Battles

    Those Who Served

    Hospitals

    Civilian Service

    Women at War

    The War Effort

    Central Powers Army

    Central Powers Navy

    Imperial Air Service

    Library

    World War Two

 Submissions

    Add Stories & Photos

    Time Capsule

 Information

    Help & FAQs



    Glossary

    Our Facebook Page

    Volunteering

    News

    Events

    Contact us

    Great War Books

    About


Advertisements

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

Middlesex Regiment




Want to know more about the Middlesex Regiment?


There are:8311 items tagged Middlesex Regiment 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

Middlesex Regiment

during the Great War 1914-1918.

  • Abbey Charles. Pte. 4th Battalion (d.12th Oct 1918)
  • Ackroyd Herbert. Pte. 23rd Btn. C Coy (d.7th Jun 1917)
  • Allen Albert. Pte. 12th Btn. (d.15th July 1916)
  • Allen Harry. L/Sgt. 16th (Public Achools) Btn. (d.1st July 1916)
  • Allistone A. B.W.. Lt. 6th Btn.
  • Andre Frederick William. 2nd Lt. 8th Battalion (Territorial) (d.16th Aug 1917)
  • Andrews John W.. Pte. 23rd Btn. (d.22nd Sep 1917)
  • Anscombe George. Pte. 23rd Btn. (d.7th Jun 1917)
  • Anstiss MM. William. Sgt. 8th Btn.
  • Anthony George. Pte. 15th Battalion (d.2nd Nov 1918)
  • Apps Thomas. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.14th Mar 1915)
  • Archer MM. Arnold George. Pte. 16th (Public School) Btn.
  • Archer Charles William. Pte. 23rd (2nd Football) Btn. (d.24th March 1918)
  • Archer Herbert Edward Lynes. Pte. 4th Battalion (d.1st July 1916)
  • Archer Robert. Pte. 23rd Btn. (d.7th Jun 1917)
  • Ashwell Percy Frederick. Pte. 2nd Battalion (d.2nd Jan 1915)
  • Atkins Arthur Leslie. Pte. 7th Btn
  • Attwell Arthur. Pte. 13th Btn. (d.20th June 1917)
  • Aylett Percy John. L/Cpl. 32nd Battalion (d.4th Sep 1919)
  • Bailey Robert. Pte. 20th Btn. (d.26th Nov 1917)
  • Bainton Herbert Sidney. 2nd Lt. 28th Btn. (d.16th Feb 1918)
  • Ball George William. 2Lt. 21st Btn. (d.25th March 1918)
  • Ball Joseph. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.12th Jan 1915)
  • Ball William Henry. Pte. (d.27th Aug 1918)
  • Ballard Thomas. Pte. 23rd Btn. (d.1st October 1918)
  • Bane Thomas Gilbert. Pte.
  • Banner Lionel Henry. Pte. 20th Battalion (d.24th Nov 1917)
  • Barber Frederick. Pte. 8th Btn. (d.9th April 1917)
  • Barber Frederick. Pte. 8th Btn. (d.9th April 1917)
  • Barker Charles. Pte. (d.10th Dec 1917)
  • Barlow George Edward. Pte. 11th Battalion (d.4th Nov 1915)
  • Barlow George. Pte. 6th Battalion (d.4th November 1915)
  • Barnes William. A/Sgt. 2nd Btn.
  • Barton Cyril Frederick. Pte.
  • Bates Walter. L/Cpl. 13th Btn. (d.4th Mar 1916)
  • Bearryman Thomas Edward. Cpl. 19th Btn.
  • Beckerwick Moses. L/Cpl. 4th Btn. (d.15th October 1914)
  • Bee George. Cpl. 2nd Battalion (d.11th June 1915)
  • Beer Thomas. Pte. 13th Btn. (d.11th Jun 1917)
  • Bell George. Sgt 18th (1st Public Works Pioneers) Btn
  • Bell Henry. Pte. 16th Btn (d.2nd Mar 1917)
  • Bell John Peter. Pte. 7th Btn. (d.19th Sep 1918)
  • Bennison Arthur. Pte. 23rd (2nd Football) Battalion (d.31st July 1917)
  • Berry E.. Pte. 32nd Battalion
  • Beverstein Abraham. Pte. 11th Btn. (d.20th March 1916)
  • Beynon William Hayden. L/Cpl. 11th Btn. (d.5th Oct 1918)
  • Binder MM. Arthur Robert. Sgt. 16th Battalion (d.30th May 1917)
  • Bish Harold. Pte. 1/19th Btn. (d.22nd Aug 1917)
  • Bland DCM. Charles James. QMS. 23rd Battalion
  • Blight Sidney Harry. Pte. 4th Battalion (d.24th August 1914)
  • Blore William Elize. 32nd Battalion
  • Bodimeade Joseph John. Pte. 13th Battalion
  • Bond Thomas Henry. Pte. 4th Battalion (d.23rd Aug 1914)
  • Border Richard Henry. Cpl. 19th Btn. (d.26th March 1918)
  • Bourne George. Pte. 16th (Public Schools) Battalion (d.10th May 1917)
  • Bowker MC. Archibald Edgar Baron. Capt. 7th Btn.
  • Bowman Frederick John. Cpl. 17th Btn.
  • Brassett Walter James. Pte. (d.25th March 1918)
  • Brennan Henry Joseph. Pte. 20th Battalion (d.11th May 1918)
  • Brien Thomas. Pte. 13th Btn. (d.10th Jun 1917)
  • Broom MM. Richard Edwin. Cpl. 2nd Btn.
  • Brown Patrick Joseph. Pte. 13th Btn. (d.7th Apr 1917)
  • Brown Thomas Henry. Pte. 1/4th Btn (d.11th Oct 1918)
  • Brunton Edward Benjamin Durnford. 2nd Lt. 17th Battalion (Football) (d.13th November 1916)
  • Bullock MM. Rees Morris. 2nd Lt. 7th Btn, F Coy
  • Burley James. Pte. 3rd Battalion (d.2nd May 1915 )
  • Butcher Alexander Benjamin. Pte. 12th Battalion
  • Butler Arthur William.
  • Byfield DCM MID Arthur Charles Herbert. RSM. 17th Btn.
  • Cain Thomas. Pte. 1/8th Btn. (d.9th Oct 1916)
  • Cain Walter Frederick. Pte. 7th Btn. (d.7th Oct 1916)
  • Cain William Lucas. Cpl. 18th Btn. (d.30th Sep 1916)
  • Camm Phillip Otley. Pte. 2nd Battalion (d.30th March 1915)
  • Campbell DCM. Francis Augustus. Sgt. 21st (Islington) Btn.
  • Campbell John William. L/Cpl
  • Carter George William. Pte. 3rd Btn. (d.1st July 1915)
  • Carter Henry. Pte. 11th Btn. (d.26th Apr 1916)
  • Carter William. L/Cpl. 8th Btn. (d.19th May 1915)
  • Carvell Stephen Calvin. Cpl. 4th Btn.
  • Cater Arthur Cecil. CSM. 17th Btn. (d.8th Oct 1916)
  • Cater William. Pte. 20th Battalion (d.8th Jan 1918)
  • Chapman Arthur. Pte. 2nd Btn (d.1st Jul 1916)
  • Charman George Albert. Sgt.
  • Chase Archibald. Cpl. 2nd Btn.
  • Cheeseman William. Lt.
  • Clark Charles. Pte. 5th Btn.
  • Clark MM Ernest William. Cpl. 4th Btn.
  • Clark Frank Rome. Pte. C.Coy.17th(1st Football)Btn. (d.28th April 1917)
  • Clark John Benjamin. Pte. 12th Btn.
  • Clarke Alfred Arthur. Sgt. 4th Battalion (d.21st October 1914)
  • Clarke James Francis. L/Cpl. 2nd Btn. (d.11th Nov 1918)
  • Cleverley Arthur John. Cpl.
  • Clowes John Hubert. Lt.
  • Cocks Arthur Septimus. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.26th Oct 1916)
  • Coffee Albert Charles. L/Cpl. 23rd Btn. (d.23rd March 1918)
  • Cokley John. Pte. 4th Btn. (d.23rd Aug 1914)
  • Coles Henry. Pte 17th Btn (d.13th November 1916)
  • Collins Robert Hammond. Pte. 8th Btn. (d.13th Apr 1916)
  • Collis William Richard. Pte. 32nd Btn.
  • Connell MM James. L/Sgt. 2nd Batalion (d.31st July 1917)
  • Connell MM James. Sgt. 2nd Btn. (d.31st July 1917)
  • Constable Percy. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.16th April 1918)
  • Cook 315219 Charles. Cpl. 32nd Battalion
  • Cooke Frederic Arthur. Pte. 5th Btn (d.9th Sept 1916)
  • Cope Richard Ernest. Pte. 17th (Football) Btn
  • Cox Walter Thomas. Pte. (d.15th July 1916)
  • Coxon George. Pte. 1/8th Btn. (d.16th Sep 1916)
  • Crawford John. WO2.
  • Crook DCM. Ernest. Cpl. 17th Btn.
  • Cross William Albert. Sjt. 21st Btn. (d.25th Jan 1918)
  • Crump Bertie Thomas. Pte. 1/9th Battalion (d.31st Aug 1916)
  • Culverhouse Charles. Pte. 2nd/10th Btn. (d.12th Mar 1918)
  • Currie George Francis. Pte.
  • Cushion Henry Walter. Pte.
  • Dawton Arthur Edward. Sgt. 2nd Btn. (d.1st Jul 1916)
  • Day Alfred John. Pte. 3rd Btn. (d.10th Feb 1915)
  • Day Joseph William . Pte. 12th Btn. (d.26th September 1918)
  • Deadman Alfred Joseph. Pte. 17th Battalion (d.1st Aug 1916)
  • Deamer John. Pte. 4th Battalion (d.2nd July 1916)
  • Dell Charles. Pte. 16th Battalion (d.4th October 1917)
  • Denyer-Radford Henry Albert. Pte. 4th Btn. (d.2nd July 1916)
  • Dexter Charles. 17th Btn. (d.27th June 1917)
  • Dick Norman Brabazon. 2nd. Lt. 17th(1st Football)Btn. (d.28th April 1917)
  • Didymus Edward. Pte. 8th Btn. (d.12th Apr 1918)
  • Donovan Reginald. Pte. 16th Battalion
  • Dwyer Denis William. L/Cpl. 4th Btn. (d.13th Oct 1915)
  • Eades Cyril Edgar. Sgt. 11th Btn.
  • East Jack. Sjt. 2nd/10th Btn. (d.11th Feb 1918)
  • Easton F.. Pte. 32nd Btn.
  • Edwards James H.. L/Cpl. 17th (1st Footballers) Btn.
  • Ellams Herbert John . Pte. 3rd Btn. (d.30th September 1915)
  • Elliffe Charles. L/Cpl. 12th Btn. (d.16th October 1917)
  • Ellis Thomas William. Pte. 1/8th Battalion (d.16th August 1917)
  • Evans Frank Edward. Pte. 2nd Btn (d.27th May 1918)
  • Evans William Joseph. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.22nd April 1915)
  • Ewington Charles Henry. L/Cpl. 2nd Btn.
  • Ferris Ernest Dervereux. 10th Battalion
  • Fielder Alfred John. Pte. 3rd Battalion (d.15th Feb 1915)
  • Fieldhouse Arthur Frances. Pte. 18th Btn.
  • Filbey John Francis. Pte. 2/10th Battalion (d.27th Dec 1917)
  • Firman Harold. L/Cpl. 3rd Btn. (d.23rd Mar 1918)
  • Firth Alfred Edward. Pte 1st. Bn (d.19th April 1918)
  • Fish John Brown. Pte. 11th Battalion (d.20th Feb 1917)
  • Fisher Thomas. Pte. 4th Battalion. C Coy (d.14th October 1914 )
  • Fitzjohn Bertram George. Pte. 11th Btn.
  • Flack Alfred. Pte. 23rd Btn. (d.8th June 1917)
  • Flack Herbert James. Pte. 27th Coy.
  • Fleming Charles Frederick. L/Cpl. 12th Btn. (d.26th Aug 1916)
  • Foot Samuel Ashburner. L/Cpl. 16th Btn. (d.1st July 1916)
  • Fosbrook Thomas Arthur. L/Cpl. 2nd Battalion
  • Foster John. Pte. 1st Battalion (d.25th Sep 1915)
  • Franklin W. L.. 32nd Btn.
  • French Sidney Harold. L/Cpl 23rd (Football) Btn. (d.11th Oct 1917)
  • Frost Alfred Ingo. 2Lt. 2nd Battalion (d.1st July 1916)
  • Gardener John. Cpl. 1st Btn. (d.26th September 1917)
  • Gardiner William. Pte. 1st Btn.
  • Gardner Clarence George. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.12th November 1918)
  • Garland William Henry. Private 16th Battalion (d.1st July 1916)
  • Gentleman H. A.. Pte.
  • Gill James Henry. Pte. 11th Btn. (d.8th Jul 1916 )
  • Gingell Reginald Ernest. Pte. 2nd Battalion
  • Gittens Francis Owen. Pte. 16th Bn (d.1st Jul 1916)
  • Gladwin Robert Harold. Pte. 4th Battalion (d.30th Sep 1915)
  • Glynn George Thomas. Pte. 11th Btn. (d.8th Au 1916)
  • Godfrey William. L/Cpl. 23rd Btn. (d.10th Aug 1917)
  • Goodwin George. Pte
  • Goodyer Thomas. Sgt. 12th Btn
  • Gorbey DCM Thomas Joseph. WO2. 13th Btn.
  • Gray George Edward. L/Cpl. 13th Btn (d.27th July 1916)
  • Gray Walter Joseph. Pte. 4th Battalion, A Company (d.31st July 1917)
  • Gregory Henry. L/Cpl 13th Btn. (d.1st Nov 1916)
  • Griffiths William. Pte. 4th Btn. (d.29th Sep 1915)
  • Griggs Walter. Pte 23rd (2nd Football) Battalion (d.19th September 1916)
  • Grune MID. Edward Sidney. Col. 13th Btn.
  • Hackett Anthony. Pte. 23rd Btn.
  • Hackett James. Pte. 1st Battalion (d.7th November 1914)
  • Haig-Brown DSO. Alan Roderick. Lt.Col. 23rd Btn. (d.25th Mar 1918)
  • Hales H. L.. Cpl. 32nd Btn.
  • Hall Henry Arthur. Pte. 23rd Battalion (d.5th November 1916)
  • Hallowes VC MID. Rupert Price. 2nd Lt. 4th Btn. (d.30th Sep 1915)
  • Hammond MC and Bar. Walter. A/Capt. 23rd Btn.
  • Hampton Ernest. Cpl. 21st Btn. (d.23rd March 1918)
  • Hancock Ernest. 1st/8th Battallion (d.23rd Apr 1915)
  • Hankey John. Pte. 26th Btn. (d.1918)
  • Harding William. Cpl. 7th Btn. (d.London)
  • Harford George Frederick. Pte. 2nd Battalion (d.4th Nov 1915)
  • Hargreaves Alfred Charles Henry. Pte. 4th Battalion (d.23rd Aug 1914)
  • Harragan Thomas James. Pte.
  • Harrison Albert Edward. Pte. 25th Battalion
  • Hart James. Pte. 4th Battalion (d.28 April 1917)
  • Haslehurst George Henry. Pte. 13th Battalion (d.18th August 1916)
  • Hatten Arthur Horace. Cpl. 2nd Btn.
  • Hayes James Alfred. L/Cpl. 16th Battalion (d.2 February 1917)
  • Heacock Joseph. Sgt. 1/7th Btn. (d.7th October 1916)
  • Heath Eustace Nelson. Pte. 16th Btn. (d.10th Jan 1916)
  • Hepburn Robert. Pte.
  • Hider Francis Silvester. Pte. 4th Btn. (d.8th Mar 1918)
  • Higgs Earnest Richard. 2Lt 2/7th Btn.
  • Higgs William Joseph. Pte. 7th Btn.
  • Hill Benjamin. Pte. 1/8th Btn. (d.7th Dec 1916)
  • Hill Leonard Augustus. Pte. 1st/8th Btn. (d.29th Apr 1915)
  • Hillard James Frederick. Pte. 17th Btn.
  • Hoad Walter. Capt. 23rd Btn.
  • Hodder MM. Benjamin Alfred. Pte. 21st (Islington) Battalion
  • Hodder MM. Benjamin Alfred. Cpl. 21st (Islington) Battalion
  • Hodge Thomas John. Pte.
  • Hodgkins MM. Frederick Archibold. L/Cpl. 2nd Btn. (d.20th November 1917)
  • Hodgkins MM. Frederick Archibold. L/Cpl. 2nd Btn. (d.20th Nov 1917)
  • Hodgson Arthur Alexander. L/Cpl. (d.8th June 1917)
  • Holman Clive Whelpton. Pte. 16th Btn.
  • Hopkins Lionel Raymond. Pte. 10th Btn. A Coy. (d.27th April 1916)
  • Horsman William James. L/Cpl. 2nd Btn. ÃÆ??Ã?Ã? A Coy. (d.31st July 1917)
  • Howe William Frederick. Cpl. 17th Btn. (d.3rd June 1917)
  • Hoy Henry Frederick. Pte. (d.1919)
  • Hudspith MC Walter Leonard. Lt. 1st Regiment (d.7th November 1918)
  • Humphrey Ernest. Pte. 26th Btn.
  • Hunt Alfred John. Cpl. 4th Battalionn (d.21st Oct 1914)
  • Hunt Frederick. Pte. 3rd Btn. (d.2nd July 1915)
  • Hyde Thomas. Pte. 1/8th Battalion (d.8th November 1918)
  • Ikin William John. Pte. 18th (1st Public Works) Battalion
  • Ives MM. J. Pte. 1st Btn.
  • Jackson W.. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.9th March 1915)
  • Jackson William. Pte 12th Btn (d.7th Aug 1917)
  • Jacobs W. R.. Cpl. 1st Btn.
  • Jacobson John Valdama. Pte. 2nd Btn.
  • Jacques Frederick James. Pte. 23rd Btn. B Coy. (d.31st Jul 1917)
  • Jarvis Horace. Pte. 17th Battalion (d.10th June 1917)
  • Jeffryes William Percy. Pte. 21st (Service) Battalion
  • Jenkins Charles Robert. L/Cpl. 2nd Btn. (d.27th Feb 1917)
  • Jenkins John. Pte. 20th Btn. (d.20th Sep 1916)
  • Johnson Arthur John. 2Lt. 22nd (2nd Islington) Battalion
  • Johnson Eric Ronald. 2Lt. 1/7th Btn.
  • Johnson MM. Frederick Marshall. Pte. 23rd (Football) Btn.
  • Johnys Arthur George. Cpl 4th Battalion (d.18th December 1914)
  • Johnys Arthur G.. A/Cpl. 4th Btn. (d.18th December 1914)
  • Jollyman Herbert. Pte. 6th Btn.
  • Jones Henry Thomas. Pte. (d.13th Nov 1916)
  • Jones Henry Thomas. Pte. 17th Battalion (d.13th Nov 1916)
  • Jones Leonard Levi. Pte. 20th (Shoreditch) Btn.
  • Jones Reginald. Pte. (d.4th October 1917)
  • Joyce Arthur George. Pte. 3rd Battalion (d.15th Feb 1915)
  • Joyce Henry Thomas. Pte. 20th Btn. (d.29th July 1916)
  • Kent Edward Charles. Sgt. 18th Battalion (d.24th Mar 1918)
  • Keorvers Jacob Hugo. Pte.
  • Kerby Walter. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.1st July 1916)
  • Kiff Reginald Frederick. Cpl. 4th Btn. (d.31st July 1917)
  • King George. Pte. 13th Battalion
  • Kirkland Frederick. A/Sgt. 13th Btn. (d.27th Jul 1917)
  • Kitching Albert. Pte 17th Btn (d.28th Jul 1916)
  • Lane William James. Pte. 2nd Btn.
  • Langley Alfred. L/Cpl. 8th Btn. (d.14th May 1915)
  • Langley Thomas Frederick. 8th Battalion
  • Larkins Charles Horace. 2nd Lt. 16th (Public Schools) Btn. (d.21st Nov 1917)
  • Larwood MM. Ernest. Sgt. 25th Batallion (d.8th Sept 1918)
  • Laver Bertie. Pte. 17th Btn., attchd. Royal Engineers (d.19th December 1916)
  • Leadbeater John Philip. Pte. 16th Btn. (d.22nd Oct 1916)
  • Letts Sydney Scott. Pte. 16th Battalion (d.9th July 1916)
  • Levey William Henry. Pte 17th Btn. (d.1st Oct 1917)
  • Longworth Cyril. Pte. 16th Battalion (d.1st July 1916)
  • Longworth Cyril. Pte. 16th Btn. (d.1st Jul 1916)
  • Lovejoy Charles Frederick. Cpl. (d.25-28th August 1918)
  • Lovell William. Sgt. 2nd Battalion (d.25th Mar 1918)
  • Lucie James. Pte. 1/8th Btn. (d.23rd April 1915)
  • Luckhurst Daniel James. Pte 8th Battalion (d.10th April 1917)
  • Lynch Thomas. Pte. 1st Btn.
  • Machin William Anthony. Pte. 16th Btn. (d.24th November 1916)
  • Makeham Ernest Charles. Pte. (d.11th Oct 1918)
  • Mangan MiD. Albert James. L/Cpl. F Coy. 8th Btn.
  • Manton William Frederick. L/Cpl. 12th Btn. (d.14th Jul 1916 )
  • Mappley William. Pte. 18th Battalion (d.26th Sept 1918)
  • Marris Alan Barrington. Pte. 12th Btn. (d.26th Sep 1916)
  • Matthews Richard Henry. Pte. 8th Btn., D Coy. (d.1st July 1916)
  • Maudslay George Cecil. 2nd Lt. 2nd Volunteer Battalion
  • McCarthy Edward Maurice. Pte. 1st Btn.
  • McLeod Daniel. Cpl. 18th Btn. (d.20th August 1916)
  • McReady-Diarmid VC. Allastair Malcolm Cluny. A/Capt. 17th Battalion (d.1st Dec 1917)
  • McReady-Diarmid VC. Allastair Malcolm Cluny. Capt. 4th Btn. att. 17th Btn (d.1st Dec 1917)
  • Meadows Benjamin James. Pte. 9th Battalion (d.3rd September 1918)
  • Melsom Harold. Pte. 12th Btn. (d.5th Jul 1916)
  • Mendes Maurice. Sgt. 1/9th Btn.
  • Millard Charles Arthur. Pte. 23rd Btn. (d.29th Jul 1918)
  • Miller Benjamin Robertson. Sgt. 2nd Btn. (d.23rd Oct 1916)
  • Miller Edwin John. (d.Nov 1917)
  • Miller Horace Philip. (d.Jul 1918)
  • Miller Horace Philip. Pte. 13th Btn. (d.20th Jul 1918)
  • Millican Reginald Isaac. 2Lt. 4th Battalion (d.23rd March 1918)
  • Mills Frederick Jesse Coster. Pte. 54th (East Anglian) Coy (d.30th Oct 1918)
  • Mitchell Albert. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.19th Apr 1918)
  • Mitchell Albert. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.19th Apr 1918)
  • Moore Ralph Edgar. Pte. 3rd Btn. (d.13th Feb 1915)
  • Morgan John Noble. Pte. 17th (1st Football) Btn.
  • Mowbray Alfred Saunders. Pte. 16th Btn.
  • Murray William. Cpl. 13th Btn. (d.31st Aug 1916)
  • Nash John. Pte. 3rd Btn. (d.13th Oct 1915)
  • Newman William Herbert. Pte. 1/8th Battalion (d.19th Oct 1915)
  • Nicholls Bertram Ernest. Pte. 21st Btn. D Coy. (d.5th Oct 1916)
  • Nobbs Harry Alexander. Pte. 11th Btn. (d.9th Apr 1917)
  • Norman Arthur Robert. Pte. 13th Battalion (d.18th Aug 1916)
  • Norris Henry John Walter Horace. Pte. 16th Battalion (d.11th August 1917)
  • Norton John Henry. Pte. 11th Battalion (d.15th Nov 1916)
  • Notscheid Walter Charles . Pte. 4th Btn. (d.1st Jul 1916)
  • Osterholm Victor Emil Hugo. Pte. 2nd Btn.
  • Osterholm Victor Emil Hugo. Pte. 1st Btn.
  • Owen Harry. Pte. 17th Btn
  • Packham E.. Pte. 19th Btn. (d.2nd December 1917)
  • Page Arthur. Pte. 4th Btn.
  • Page Thomas. Pte. (d.27th August 1918)
  • Page Thomas. Pte. 8th Btn. (d.27th Aug 1918)
  • Pagett John. Pte. 23rd Battalion (d.21st Sept 1917)
  • Painter Herbert George. CSM. 16th Btn. (d.1st Jul 1916)
  • Palmer Charles William. Pte. 1st Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Own (d.24th April 1917)
  • Palmer Robert. Pte. 17th Btn. (d.13th Nov 1916)
  • Parckar Edward William. Pte. 1/8th Btn.
  • Parker Walter Harry. Cpl. 2nd Btn.
  • Parry Christopher Albert. Pte. 4th Battalion (d.26th August 1918)
  • Patching Arthur Albert. 2nd Battalion
  • Pateman John Harold. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.22nd April 1917)
  • Pearce Henry John. A/Sgt. 4th Btn. (d.30th Sep 1915)
  • Penfold John Thomas. Pte. 32nd Btn. (d.11th Apr 1918)
  • Perkins Albert. 2nd.Lt. 197th Coy. (d.4th October 1917)
  • Perren Percy. L/Cpl. (d.1st July 1916)
  • Perrin Alfred C. Cpl. 2nd Btn. (d.14th Mar 1915)
  • Pettitt Louis. Cpl. 13 Btn. (d.20 July 1918)
  • Pettitt Louis. Cpl. 13th Btn. (d.20th July 1918)
  • Pezaro Jack. A/Cpl. 11th Btn. (d.8th Oct 1916)
  • Phipps Leonard William. Pte. 21st Btn. (d.23rd March 1918)
  • Pidgeon William Henry. Pte. 20th Battalion (d.9-12th April 1918)
  • Pinkett Albert. Sgt. 2nd Btn.
  • Plant Lawrence. Pte. 7th Btn (d.28th Aug 1918)
  • Plaskitt Albert. Pte.
  • Plumridge George Frederick. Pte. 16th Btn. (d.12th Aug 1917)
  • Porter William James. Pte. 2nd. Btn. (d.18th Aug 1917)
  • Potts Edward. Pte. 17th (1st Football) Battalion
  • Potts DCM, MM & Bar. John. Sgt. 23rd Battalion
  • Priest Edwin Louis. Pte. 17th (1st Football) Battalion
  • Pritty George Edward. L/Cpl. 2nd Btn. (d.4th January 1915)
  • Pryor Wiliam Leemore. Pte, 13th Btn.
  • Purkiss Albert Edward. CSM 23rd Battalion (d.1st Feb 1917)
  • Purser Joseph. Pte. 4th Btn. (d.18th May 1915)
  • Purser Joseph. Pte. 4th Battalion (d.18th Jan 1915)
  • Purves Thomas Warren. 2nd Lt. 23rd Btn. (d.7th June 1917)
  • Randall Edward John. Pte. 4th Btn. (d.30th Sep 1915)
  • Rawliffe William Stephen. Cpl. 2nd Btn. C Coy.
  • Ray Harry. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.26th Mar 1918)
  • Readings Albert Allen. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.25th Sep 1915)
  • Reed Adrian Leon. Pte. 21st (Islington) (d.24th March 1918)
  • Reygate Charles Henry. Pte. 20th Btn. (d.28th Sep 1918)
  • Ridley DCM George Thomas. Pte 17th (1st Football) Battalion,
  • Ripley Percy. Pte. 7th Battalion (d.26th May 1918)
  • Ritchie William James. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.21st February 1918)
  • Roberts Herbert James . Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.30th July 1917)
  • Rolfe James Herbert. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.30th December 1917)
  • Rowland John Henry. Pte. 1st Btn.
  • Rudolph Herbert Percy. 30th (Works) Battalion
  • Russell Thomas. Pte. 19th Btn.
  • Ryde Edward George. Sgt. 2nd Btn. D coy. 15 platoon. (d.10th Mar 1915)
  • Ryde Edward George. Sgt. 2nd Btn. (d.10th Mar 1915)
  • Ryder Robert Edward. 12th Btn.
  • Sales William Percy. Pte. 19th Btn, B Coy, 7th Ptn.
  • Salisbury Alfred Henry. Pte. 17th Battalion (d.13th Nov 1916)
  • Salter William Edward. Pte. 1/8th Btn. (d.16th August 1917)
  • Sandell Charles . Pte. 13th. Btn. (d.31st. Aug 1916)
  • Sanderson Arthur Gilbert. Pte. 2/7th Btn.
  • Savage Henry. 17th (Football) Btn.
  • Scott Ernest Harry. Pte. 2/8th Btn.
  • Scotton William. Pte. 4th Btn. (d.3rd Feb 1915)
  • Seaborne Alfred Willoughby. Pte. 19th Btn. (d.9th July 1916 )
  • Shackell Ralph Ronald. Pte. 21st Battalion
  • Sharpe James Reuben. Pte. 4th Battalion (d.11th Jun 1916)
  • Sheffield F.. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.12th Jan 1915)
  • Sheldon John Leonard. L/Cpl. 17th (1st Football) Battalion (d.17th Feb 1915)
  • Shine James. Chaplain. att. 21st Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.21st April 1918)
  • Shingleton Albert. Sgt. 11th Battalion
  • Siddalls George Henry. Pte. 7th Btn. (d.28th Aug 1918)
  • Simons Guy. Pte. 1st/8th Battalion (d.19th September 1916)
  • Simpson MC William John Sydney. Lt. 8th Btn.
  • Skelton William Alfred. Pte. 21st Battalion (d.22nd Feb 1917)
  • Skilleter Arthur Andrew. Pte. 4th Btn.
  • Skinner John. Pte. 11th Battalion (d.15th Feb 1916)
  • Smelt Frank. Pte. 17th Btn. (d.28th Apr 1917)
  • Smith George Frederick. L/Cpl. 12th Btn. (d.17th Feb 1917)
  • Smith Herbert Sydney. Pte. 3rd Battalion (d.28th March 1915)
  • Smith Ronald William. Pte. 16th Btn.
  • Snedker DSO. Harold. Sgt. 9th Btn.
  • Snell George. Pte. 23rd Btn. (d.7th November 1916 )
  • Snell Henry John. 2nd Lt. 23rd Btn.
  • Snell James William. Pte. 23rd Btn.
  • Southgate Sidney. Pte. 24th (2nd Sportsman's) Btn. (d.4th Sep 1917)
  • Spence Frank. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.1st Aug 1917)
  • Spencer George William. L/Cpl 13th Btn.
  • Springett William John. Pte.
  • Stanbridge Samuel. Pte. 8th Btn. (d.14th February 1917)
  • Steele Harold. Pte. 3rd Btn. (d.15th Feb 1915)
  • Steer Sidney Herbert. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.1st July 1916)
  • Stevenson David. Pte. 13th Btn. (d.18th Jul 1918)
  • Stratton Arthur. RSM. 12th Battalion (d.26th Sep 1916)
  • Stringer Ernest. Pte. 7th Battalion (d.9th September 1918)
  • Suckling George Joseph. Pte. 17th Btn.
  • Sussex William. Sgt. 17th Btn. (d.2nd Dec 1917)
  • Sutch Frederick George. Pte. 20th Bn (d.13th April 1917)
  • Talbot Richard. Pte. 13th Btn. (d.25th Nov 1917)
  • Tedder William Charles. L/Cpl. 11th Battalion (d.23rd Apr 1917)
  • Theobald William David. Pte. 26th (3rd Public Works Pioneers) Btn.
  • Thomas Edward James.
  • Thomas George. Pte. 23rd Btn.
  • Thorpe Charles. Cpl. 13th Btn. (d.3rd Aug 1917)
  • Thurlow Harry William. Pte. 8th Btn. (d.25th April 1915)
  • Thurlow Harry William. Pte. 1st/8th Btn. (d.25th Apr 1915)
  • Thurlow William. Sgt. 8th Btn.
  • Tompkins George. Pte. 16th (Public Schools) Btn. (d.19th Dec 1917)
  • Tompkins MM Wesley. Cpl. 2nd Btn. (d.20th Sep 1917)
  • Toyer William John. Sjt. 23rd Btn.
  • Traylor John. Pte. 26th Btn.
  • Trendle Sidney. Pte. 1st Battalion (d.18th July 1918)
  • Tull Walter. 2nd Lt. 23rd Btn. (d.25th Mar 1918)
  • Turner Edward. Pte. 3rd Btn. (d.13th March 1915)
  • Tyndale George Stafford Hilliard . Lt. 2nd Btn. (d.13th March 1915)
  • Underwood Walter Roland. Pte. 23rd (2nd Football) Btn.
  • Upex Dick. Cpl. 17th (Footballers) Battalion
  • Utting Christopher E. Pte. 2nd Battalion (d.28th Feb 1917)
  • Valentine Reginald. L/Cpl. 13th Btn. (d.3rd Aug 1917)
  • Vie Francis George. Pte. 3rd Battalion (d.4th June 1915)
  • Vie Francis George. Pte. 8th Btn. (d.7th June 1915)
  • Wageman Harold Victor . Sgt. 1/8th Btn. (d.10th April 1917)
  • Walker DCM, MM & Bar. Arthur Robert. Pte. 1st Btn.
  • Waller Charles. Pte. 13th Battalion (d.25 August 1917)
  • Walters James Robert. Pte. 11th Battalion
  • Warren MM. Ernest. Cpl. 18th Btn.
  • Warren MM. Ernest. Cpl. 18th Btn.
  • Watson Thomas Henry. Pte. 29th Btn.
  • Weaving Frederick Henry . Colour Sgt. (d.20th June 1918)
  • Welch Frederick John. L/Cpl. 6th Battalion
  • Wells Clarence. Pte. 12th Battalion
  • Welsh James Bell. Pte. 13th Battalion (d.18th August 1916)
  • West Albert William. Pte. 11th Btn. (d.26th Feb 1917)
  • West Bertram Harry. Pte. B Coy, 13th Btn. (d.27th Jun 1917)
  • Westley Edward Harold. Sjt. 8th Btn.
  • Wheatley Henry Frank Victor . Pte.
  • Whisson William Henry. 2nd Lt. 1st/7th Battalion (d.6th May 1917)
  • Wilding Thomas. Pte. 13th Btn. (d.5th Apr 1917)
  • Wiles William George. S/Sjt. 3rd Battalion
  • Wilkinson Alfred Henry. Pte. 12th Btn. (d.26th Sep 1916)
  • Wilkinson George Jerrard. Sgt. 16th (Public Schools) Btn. (d.1st Jul 1916)
  • Wilkinson Thomas William. Rflmn. 12th (Rangers) Battalion (d.21st October 1916)
  • Willis William Burnell. Pte. 2nd Btn.
  • Winch Henry George. Pte.
  • Winch Henry George. Pte.
  • Winchcombe John Nelson. Pte. 6th Battalion (d.26th Feb 1917)
  • Winchcombe Walter George. Lance Corporal 12th Btn. "B" Coy. (d.14th Jul 1916)
  • Winter Christopher James. Pte. 11th Btn. (d.12th April 1917)
  • Wordsworth George Harry. L/Cpl. 26th Btn. (d.25th October 1918)
  • Worsley Ernest. Pte. 2nd Btn. (d.22nd Oct 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

More Middlesex Regiment records.


  • 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? Want to know what life was like during the Great War? Our Library contains many many diary entries, personal letters and other documents, most transcribed into plain text.



Looking for help with Family History Research?   

Please see Family History FAQ's

Please note: We are unable to provide individual research.

Can you help?

The free to access section of The Wartime Memories Project website is run by volunteers and funded by donations from our visitors.

If the information here has been helpful or you have enjoyed reaching the stories please conside making a donation, no matter how small, would be much appreciated, annually we need to raise enough funds to pay for our web hosting or this site will vanish from the web.

If you enjoy this site please consider making a donation.


Announcements

  • 12th March 2024

        Please note we currently have a massive 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. If you have already submitted a story to the site and your UID reference number is higher than 263705 your submission is still in the queue, please do not resubmit.

      Wanted: Digital copies of Group photographs, Scrapbooks, Autograph books, photo albums, newspaper clippings, letters, postcards and ephemera relating to the Great War. If you have any unwanted photographs, documents or items from the First or Second World War, please do not destroy them. The Wartime Memories Project will give them a good home and ensure that they are used for educational purposes. Please get in touch for the postal address, do not sent them to our PO Box as packages are not accepted.





      We are now on Facebook. Like this page to receive our updates, add a comment or ask a question.

      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

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.

Dantzig Alley C.W.G.C. Cemetery

St. Andrew's Church, Castle Combe

Soldier's record card

Peter Melsom




1206573

Pte. Edward John Randall 4th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.30th Sep 1915)

Edward Randall served with the 4th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment during WW1 and died on the 30th September 1915. He is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium. I'm just trying to bring loose ends together and find out where this picture was taken. My Grandfather is top right of picture.

Alan Randall




1206465

L/Cpl. Frederick John Welch 6th Battalion Middlesex Regiment

My Dad, Frederick Welch, joined at Mill Hill on the 17/08/14, 2 weeks after the beginning of the War. He was posted to France in May 1915, wounded and sent home 20/11/15. He was then sent out again to France on 14/04/16, wounded on 9/11/16 and sent home, he was later discharged as being unfit for duty. I am unable to find out where he was wounded, perhaps on the Somme. I have the large piece of shrapnel taken out of his left arm, he was left with some limited use in his arm. I was able to put my fingers in the deep wound when I was little.

He was later to become a skilled welder, carpenter and joiner. He never spoke about the War to us and was sometimes disheartened by the behaviour of If anyone has info about the whereabouts of the 6th Battalion during May 15 and November 16, please let me know. My dad's war records seem to be untraceable.

Mary Callard




1206435

Capt. Allastair Malcolm Cluny McReady-Diarmid VC. 4th Btn. att. 17th Btn Middlesex Regiment (d.1st Dec 1917)

Allastair McReady-Diarmid was killed in action on the 1st of December 1917, aged 29, he is commemorated on Panel 9 on The Cambrai Memorial in France. Formerly Arthur Malcolm McReady-Drew he was the son of Herbert L. Drew and Fanny A. Drew (nee McReady), of 71 Goldsmith Avenue, Acton and the husband of Hilda McReady-Diarmid, of Springfield, Dursley, Gloucs. Born at New Southgate, Middlesex.

An extract from The London Gazette, dated 12th March, 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and brilliant leadership. When the enemy penetrated some distance into our position and the situation was extremely critical, Capt. McReady-Diarmid at once led his company forward through a heavy barrage. He immediately engaged the enemy, with such success that he drove them back at least 300 yards, causing numerous casualties and capturing 27 prisoners. The following day the enemy again attacked and drove back another company which had lost all it's officers. This gallant officer at once called for volunteers and attacked. He drove them back again for 300 yards, with heavy casualties. Throughout this attack Capt. McReady-Diarmid led the way himself, and it was absolutely and entirely due to his marvellous throwing of bombs that the ground was regained. His absolute disregard for danger, his cheerfulness and coolness at a most trying time, inspired all who saw him. This most gallant officer was eventually killed by a bomb when the enemy had been driven right back to their original starting point."

s flynn




1206069

Pte. Albert Edward Harrison 25th Battalion Middlesex Regiment

My grandfather, Albert Edward Harrison, born 1882 in Kent and served in the 25th Middlesex Regiment. We know he went to Hong Kong possibly April 1917 to relieve more hardened soliders from duty. I think it was like a labour regiment that was raised. He then went to Russia during the revolution late 1917 or early 1918. Then returned to England in 1919.

What medals he had have disappeared through the family in recent years. All I have is his cap badge. He returned to live back in Kent as a farm labourer and passed away in 1957. We have tried very hard to trace anything that relates to him but his records may have been amongst a major fire of First World War records. Hope there is further information to come to light.

Michael Abbott




1206059

Pte. Harold Bish 1/19th Btn. London Regiment (d.22nd Aug 1917)

Harold Bish is my great uncle, son of Sophia Bish nee Taylor, first wife of my Great Grandad. Sophia moved from Nottingham (after separating from grt grandad) to Shepherds Bush before the war, where Harold worked as an accountants clerk.

He joined the Middlesex Regiment later served with the 1/19th Battalion London Regiment. Unfortunately he never returned from war and Sophia suffered the death of a second son. I would love to trace his medals - Victory and British.

Jayne Wilkinson




1206040

2nd Lt. Rees Morris Bullock MM. 7th Btn, F Coy Middlesex Regiment

Rees M. Bullock was born in Holloway North London and was living in Wood Green when he joined the Territorial Force enlisting at Enfield in F Company of the 7th Battalion the Middlesex Regiment. His Regimental number was 2438. He was mobilised on 5th August 1914 and moved to the Battalion Mobilisation station on the Isle of Grain involved in coastal defence. The Battalion sailed to Gibraltar on September 3rd moving back to the UK on the 8th February 1915 where they went in to billets in Barnet. The Battalion then sailed for France on the 12th March 1915.

Rees Bullock must have made steady progress through the ranks to at least Sergeant as he appears to have been commissioned to 2nd Lieutenant on 25th May 1918. His name does not appear on the 7th Bn roll of Officers’ so it must be assumed that he was transferred to another battalion on commissioning.

Cpl Bullock was awarded the Military Medal for Gallantry in the face of the enemy whilst in the line at ‘Hebuterne’ between Arras and Albert from May 4th to May23rd 1916. On the night of May 8th 1916: "Lance Corporal Bullock’s small patrol ran into a hostile patrol twice their size. The German soldiers drew first blood, a grenade wounding Private Ede, but Bullock and the third man returned fire and were able to withdraw taking their wounded colleague with them."

The night of Saturday, 13th May 1916: "B Company of the 1/7th Middlesex were determined to give the ‘Z’ Hedge a thorough going over. The field artillery were asked to shell the hedge at 11 p.m. at which point a patrol led by the intrepid L/Cpl. Bullock was to go and investigate. 11 p.m. came and the sharp crack of 18 pdrs could be heard from behind the village, then the shells whined overhead to explode loudly deep in Gommecourt Park – nearly three hundred yards off target! Hurried phone calls were made to the Divisional Artillery and a new time of midnight set for the bombardment. This time the shells fell smartly into the hedge and, as they did, fourteen men slipped out of the trenches and through the British wire. Five men were sent into the Gommecourt Road to act as a covering party and the rest, led by Bullock, approached the corner of the hedge. Six Germans then appeared and a brief fight ensued resulting in one German soldier being killed. An attempt to recover the body was thwarted when the patrol found three feet of barbed wire on the far side of the hedge and any further action was prevented when they came under fire from more Germans lined up along the stretch of the hedge that ran parallel to the road. Having achieved all they could, Bullock led his men back to the sanctuary of the British lines.

His Commanding Officer Lt Col EJ King commented as follows: “The 7th Middlesex were facing the German 169th Infantry Regiment who had to learn that they could not send out patrols against us with impunity. It was now that Cpl R Bullock made his name as one of the boldest and most enterprising of Patrol Leaders eventually gaining the Military Medal.”

Rees Morris Bullock MM survived the war and died at Chelmsford Essex in 1972 aged 80.

Keith Bullock




1206028

Pte. Joseph Purser 4th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.18th May 1915)

Private Joseph Purser aged 18 of the 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment died of his wounds at Chelsea Hospital, he was my Great Uncle.

Joseph Purser




1205960

Pte. George King 13th Battalion Middlesex Regiment

George King served with the 13th Btn. Middlesex Regiment. He enlisted on the 7th of January 1915 in Hammersmith, London and gave his age as 18yrs 7months, but he was born 23.7.1899 in Fulham London, making him only 15yrs old.

He was sent from Acton and arrived in France 17.8.1915, they were attached to the 73rd Brigade. While at the Battle of Loos on the 27.9.1915 near Vermelles, he was gunned down by machine gun fire. He survived but at the loss of his right leg and more wounds to his left thigh.

He was discharged on 15th of November 1916 at Hounslow, he was awarded a silver war badge no.89410 and 3 medals, the 1914/15 star, the War and Victory medals. So at only being 16yrs old he had his leg amputated and saw so much pain and suffering around him, for some one so young.

Troy King




500645

Robert Edward Ryder 12th Btn. Middlesex Regt

Robert Edward Ryder was from Harefield in Middlesex. Robert was born in December 1895 in Harefield and served with 12th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge Own) enlisting in 1914. He won the Victoria Cross for " most conspicuous bravery" at Theipval on September 25th 1916. Robert was just 20 years old when he found himself fighting to take Theipval, with all Officers wounded, dead or down. He single handedly charged a German trench with his lewis gun when, for want of leadership, the attack was flagging. When I discovered that Robert's very young wife had recently died of "consumption" (more likely of asbestosis because she had been working in a local asbestos factory near Harefield), it did make me wonder if Robert just "did not give a damn" since his lovely young Bride had just died so horribly?

His VC is now in the Imperial War Museum. The quote with his medals says quite simply: " I don't know what came over me...normally...I wouldn't hurt a fly".

Miriam Bailey




263196

Pte. John Nash 3rd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.13th Oct 1915)

Great great Uncle John Nash served with the 3rd Btn. Middlesex Regiment. He is buried in Le Treport Military Cemetery.

Mark Tuttlebee




263105

Pte. Thomas Apps 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.14th Mar 1915)

Thomas Apps is remembered with honour and interred at the Canadian Cemetery No.2 in Neuville-St. Vaast.





262837

Sgt. Harold Snedker DSO. 9th Btn. Royal Fusiliers

Harry Snedker served with the Royal Fusiliers and the Middlesex Regiment. His citation for the DSO reads: For conspicuous gallantry during an attack on Hardecourt and the Maltz Horn Farm Ridge on 28th of August 1918, owing to many casualties amongst officers, he had to take command of two platoons. These he led with great skill and courage, in spite of heavy opposition from machine guns and shell fire. On reaching the objective the remaining officer in his company was wounded. He immediately assumed command of the whole company, reorganised them, and commenced to put the line in a state of defence. Throughout the time he walked to and fro amongst his men cheering and urging them on. Later in the day he observed a large party of the enemy withdrawing on the left of his company. Without a moment's hesitation he directed the fire of his Lewis guns and rifles on them, inflicting heavy losses, and making them scatter in confusion. He remained in command of the company throughout the day until an officer was sent up.

Oliver Snedker




261947

A/Cpl. Arthur G. Johnys 4th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.18th December 1914)

Arthur Johnys earned the 1914 Star British War and the Victory Medal.

Eric Lee




261760

CSM. Arthur Cecil Cater 17th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.8th Oct 1916)

CSM Arthur Cecil Cater on the Thiepval Memorial

Arthur Cater was my great-great-great-grandfather. He fought in WW1 alongside his son. He was the husband of Mabel Jane Cater. His son survived the war but refused to talk about it (according to my nan) because of the horror of seeing his father die. In October 2019 with school, I visited the memorial at Thiepval that contains his name.





261338

Cpl. Stephen Calvin Carvell 4th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

Stephen Carvell was captured at Mons on the 23rd of August 1914.

Robert Douglas




261306

Pte. John Philip Leadbeater 16th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.22nd Oct 1916)

John Philip Leadbeater served with the 16th Middlesex Regiment. He was the son of Mrs. Lilian S. Hannington of 191A Stephendale Rd., Fulham, London.

P Wheeler




260616

Pte. Thomas Hyde 1/8th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (d.8th November 1918)

Thomas Hyde died near Mons with two others from his regiment and is buried in Blaugies Communal Cemetery. Thomas was 27 years old, was married and had a daughter.

Elaine Digby




260448

Cpl. Reginald Frederick Kiff 4th Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.31st July 1917)

Reginald Kiff served with the 4th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment in WW1 and died 31st of July 1917. He is remembered on the headstone of his parents. He was born in Harrow in 1896 to Thomas and Lizzie Kiff. His service record has survived and gives his address as 7 Claremont Road, Wealdstone.

I'm not related to Reginald Kiff but I am researching men who are commemorated at All Saints Church in Harrow.

Alison Cook




260301

Sgt. George Jerrard Wilkinson 16th (Public Schools) Btn. Middlesex Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)

George Wilkinson's name is found on the Uppingham School Memorial, listed as Killed In Action on the Somme on 1st of July 1916, aged 30.

Max Grout








Recomended Reading.

Available at discounted prices.



Die Hard, Aby!: Abraham Bevistein - The Boy Soldier Shot to Encourage the Others

David Lister


'Die Hard, Aby!' tells Aby's story, rather than that of the historic times through which he lived. If a well known battle rages while Aby sits in a trench several miles away, writing to his mum - we are with Aby. We follow him from the Russian occupied land of his birth, across Europe to his East End home, and then through school days and the events that led to the Great War. One of the first to join, we see him through training and on to duty at the Front. We are with him in the mud of the trenches and share his deprivations through the cold of the winter of 1915. After 10 months in France, we see what led him to leave the Front without authority. We are with Aby again when as a 17-year-old boy he walks to his fate on a cold, March dawn in 1916. Finally we examine the impact his short life had on his times and on ours.




Links


    Suggest a link


















    The free section of The Wartime Memories Project is run by volunteers.

    This website is paid for out of our own pockets, library subscriptions and from donations made by visitors. The popularity of the site means that it is far exceeding available resources and we currently have a huge backlog of submissions.

    If you are enjoying the site, please consider making a donation, however small to help with the costs of keeping the site running.


    Hosted by:

    The Wartime Memories Project Website

    is archived for preservation by the British Library





    Copyright MCMXCIX - MMXXIV
    - All Rights Reserved -

    We do not permit the use of any content from this website for the training of LLMs or for use in Generative AI, it also may not be scraped for the purpose of creating other websites.